Weekly journal-miner. [volume] (Prescott, Ariz.) 1908-1929, 1914-07-01
SUPERVISORS DIG
into CLARK
CHARGES
CFrom Wednesdays DailyD

At a specially called meeting OF
the Board of Supervisors held yes
terday morning the members OF
that body thoroughly discussed the
graft charges against County Road
Superintendent D. NJ. Clark and
called upon County Attorney P-W,
O'Sullivan for a legal opinion IN
connection with the matter. The
exact scope of the session, the full
amount of work accomplished and
the attitude of the Supervisors lsI
as much a mystery today as 1t was
the day before. The Supervisors
will not commit themselves upon
what took place at the meeting.
1t was through the efforts OF.
Chairman William Stephens that
State Examiner w. H. Plunkett was
brought to Prescott to examine the
accounts of the road department.
Mr.. Stephens freely admitted that
he had taken this step but yester-
dav when questioned regarding the
proceedings of the morning SEES
sion. he displayed a marked ten
dency to either remain quiet or
divert the conversation into some
other channel. The Journai-Miner
reporter exercised every effort to
procure the latest developments IN
the sensational scandal but without
effect at the Supervisors office.
From another source, however, 1t
was learned that County Attorney
p. w. O'Sullivan had been called
from his Office to attend the meet
ing and render legal opinion re-
parding a new phase in the situa-
ton which had just arisen.
The supervisors desired to know
whether or not it was within their
power to lay off any or all men
now employed in the road con-
struction work. The county attor-
new replied that it was; that the
Supervisors alone were vested will
the power to hire. pay ind dis
charge men and the County Road
Superintendent Clark in taking
charge of these privileges was only
exercising them as an adjunct II
the system.
Thus far no men have been laid
off however, and today a force OF
between twenty and twenty-five mer
* engaged on the Lynx creek road
construction work. The point &c
be solved by this opinion is clear.
Yesterday when questioned by
reporter the County Attorney de
c1ared that it did not lie within thu
mower of the Board of Supervisor
70 discharge Clark for he IS
county official. elected by the REQ
nle A discharge could only be Il
line in the event that he was toun'
guilty of the serious charges pre-
ferred against him. Hence, he l
still occupying the position OF sup
erintendent and will do so at leas
until the end of the trial.
There is but one course open +
the supervisors if they desire t
deprive Clark of the power veste
in him of handling the road funds
the discharge OF the men now EN-
Moved in the department. Thl
course can be followed out ii tn
Supervisors SO desire.
All three members OF the Boar
were present yesterday and tn
morning session is declared to haV
been featured by a decidedly nte'
estine discussion on the graft cas-
State Examiner w. H. Plunke
WAS present and at one time II
occuscI man was also in attendanc
If is declared from ali authent
source that the sensations alread
uncovered will look mild compare
TO what will follow within the me-
few days.
Nothing doing" was the gener
expression advanced by members
the board when questioned regar
ing the morning session Char
man Stephens admitted that Il
Clark case had been discussed by
full attendance of the supervise
but that is as far as he would g
dozen questions asked him
suited in simply arousing his
and the issuance of the stateme
that he "had NOT a d--thing
say"