The Monticellonian. [volume] (Monticello, Ark.) 1870-1920, 1915-04-29
Ing. Such acts by State official need
no comment.

for certificates OF statewide authority
has been forwarded to the department
of education. according to amounts
turned into the treasury, to the num-
Der of $50, which. at 81 each. has net
ted the amount of 1928 to the treas
ury. This sum has been turned in by
said department TO the State treasury
since this committee began its work,
although it had been accommodating
since the authorization of such eertltl-
Gates by the laws of the State. OF
these examinations mailed to the de-
partment by county examiners and
county superintendent over the State,
being examinations sufficient to justify
the issuance of first grade license by
the county examiner or county super
intendent. 35f have been graded by
Miss Hazel Gill, who, we are advised,
is the youngest daughter of Ray GILL;
deputy superintendent of public in
struction and a pupil in the High
School of the city of Little Rock, in
stead Of by officials of the depart
ment. We do not think such action by
the department of education could pos
sibly be appreciated by the examiners
of the State and the teachers holding
said licenses. The remaining 1874 eX-
aminations are shown TO have been
graded by w, A. Gibson. who, as We
are advised. is the husband of Mrs. Glib
son, an employe of the department. To
Miss Gil were issued vouchers to the
sum of 1851. and to Mr.. Gibson 1874 for
these examinations, said vouchers be-
ing paid by the treasury long before
the s5S2 was turned into the treasury
by the department.
THE committee draws no conclusion
as To what the developments might
have been had this investigation never
been instituted. but leaves the public
to dra1V its conclusion from the facts
as shown on pages IS, 35 and SO of ae-
countants' report on the fife with the
governor of this tSate.
We further find from the report of
our accountants number OF vouchers
issued for travelling expenses to the SUI
perintendent of public instruction and
to other persons in the employ of the
department of education While We
have not been able to continue our in
vestigation as We wished to do by taxi
ing testimony, I'VE are advised by GOOD
that the superintendent of
public instruction has a pass. at least
over the Iron Mountain railroad. If
this is true, we are unable to see how
the superintendent of public tnstruc-
ton could incur travelling expenses. We
also find but very few of the warrants
issued to the superintendent OF public
instruction for travelling expenses
temized. required by law. On page
% of the accountants report will be
found total of S61f.05 fer travelling
public instruction personally. and none
Of same is itemized as the law directs.
Employment Bureau.
at is quite apparent from our inves-
legation that the public funds have
been unnecessarily spent in utter dis
'egaFd of the State laws governing
such expenditures.
we find from correspondence that
here is a Teachers Employment Bit
eau. with headquarters in Little Rock,
Ark, the officials of which. as shown
by their letter heads. are Mrs. Phoebe
10 val
iill. secretary. who are respectively
he wife and young daughter of Ray
ill, who is deputy superintendent of
public instruction. and many people be-
ieve this Teachers Employment Blu
eau Is so organized that 1t may be run
n connection with the State depart
nent for the sole purpose of thereby
Using the influence of said department
or personal gain. We make no charge
n this. but merely make the statement
hat the public may be advised of the
conditions.
Heating Plants.
I'VE also find that the Waterman
Waterbury Company of Minneapolis.
Mimi. j. L. Waterbury. secretary. are
and jobbers of heating
to the schools of the State
oy our superintendent, and we find
hat George b. Cook. superintendent of
public instruction of the State of Ar
kansas is vice president of the firm of
James L. Waterbury Company Mime
apoIis. Mimi, who, from their CORE
spondence. appear to be dealing in real
estate and otherwise. All of the above
shows some apparent connection that
should be more thoroughly inyestiga-
ted. as some people might infer from
the connection that our superintendent
Is interested and using his official po-
sition in boosting the sale of these
heating plants for his own personal
and financial gain. We make no charge
Of misconduct in this, but merely give
the public our meager information. be-
cause we believe that the people have
the right TO know whether or not their
officers are in any way connected or
used in private affairs.
Auditors office.
The accountants had only compile
ted checking about one-haf or two
thirds of the office of State auditor. and
ii is impossible for us to give any re-
port from unfinished work, but will
say that it is quite apparent from our
Investigation, so far as made, that
there are fragrant errors and omissions
IN said department. characterized with
utter and startling disregard for the
law in regard to the issuance of Vouch-
ers for money that has been drawn on
the State treasury, and a thorough and
complete investigation is absolutely
necessary, for the State general reVe-
nue. fund should be protected from the
present onslaught of unlawful, excess
sive and unnecessary expenditures of
the public revenue paid in by the al
ready overburdened taxpayers of this
State.
we regret that we are unable to
complete the work in compliance with
the unanimous consent and direction of
the Fortieth General Assembly of the
State of Arkansas, but it is impossible
for us to proceed without the legal au-
thority or money with which to pay for
the work, and the Supreme Court of
this State has seen fit to so construe
the law as to strip us of our authority
as such committee, and prevents us
paying from the public revenue the ex-
penses of the investigation.
when we began this work we Sc
other State to be sure that they would
not be affected or controlled in any
way by any political set or combina-
ton, that they would have no friends
to favor, or enemies to punish. but
would furnish the people with the true
facts and real conditions. which we do
not hesitate to say has been done by
I. F Thomas and r L. Cress. compos-
ing the firm of It, T.. Cress & Co. who
have done this work for us. We be-
lieve them able, efficient and abso-
lutely trustworthy.
Our committee, the above account
ants and Miss Dorothy Freeland who
was our most efficient. faithful and
trustworthy stenographer in all this
work have all been working since the
31st day of March without receiving
any compensation whatever for our
services.
III the members CT this committee
We're financially able TO lose the time
and expend the money, they would
GLADLY continue the investigation. sole
ly for the benefit of the taxpayers of
the State of Arkansas: but without le-
gal authority and without funds. we
are forced to submit this report to
your eXceitency with much regret and
extending our deep sympathy to the
taxpayers of the State of Arkansas. for
we realize more than anyone else that
their political yoke is heavy and their
burdens of taxation great
Respectfully submitted. this END