The weekly soliphone. (Paragould, Greene County, Ark.) 1907-1918, 1915-03-05
H|CHF|LL REPLIES TO
COMMITTEE CHARGES
Says Senator Fut: ell Has Treated
Him Unfairly in Report on
Highway Commission.
From Saturdays Daily Press)

C. W. Highfill of this city, mem
Der of the state highway commission,
has given The Daily Press state
mont concerning certain allegations
made in a report filed with the gen
heral assembly by the special auditing
| committee, of which Senator J. M.
Futrell is chairman. Mr.. Highfill,
| .eDlying to criticisms, recites that it
was we'll known to Senator Futrell
that he (Highfill) opposed the con-
| tract for the leasing of rock crush
er by the highway commission, and
| that he also opposed the purchase of
an automobile by the department. go
| ing so far as to get certified copy
of the correspondence and the record
| showing that the purchase was I'M
authorized and furnishing Senator
Futrell with the data several months
ago. He contends that, in view of
his position on these matters and
| the fact that Senator Futreu knew
how he stood on them, it was mani
testify unfair to stand sponsor for
ronort that ignored we'll known facts.
Mr.. Highfill further states he wrote
Senator Futrell he was ready at any
time tn apDear before the Investigate
inc committee, and that he was not
only not given an opportunity TO
annaar. but that his letter did not
receive the courtesy of reply.
Mr.. Highfills statement in full fol-
lows:
II have lust ready an article ap-
bearing in the Arkansas Gazette I'M
der date of February goth, giving the
tall report of the joint auditing COM
mittee ON the condition of affairs in
the state highway department, and
containing certain criticisms OF the
commissioners. The report is so
maternity biased and unfair that | am
surprised that Senator Futrell, whom
have always believed to be broad
minded, should stand sponsor for
it.
This is especially true with refer
ence to certain criticisms cohtaiheu
in the report about the purchase OF
an automobile for the department.
which purchase was made by r. q.
Dive. former chairman OF the commls-
sion. without the knowledge of the
other members of the commission, al
so over my protest when | discovered
that the machine had been pur-
chased. This Senator Futrell we'll
knew. and lie also knew | did every
thing in my power 20 prevent the
signing of the contract for the
lease of a rock crusher.
Il am also surprised that my re-
ouest to be allowed to appear before
the committee was ignored and that
my letter to Senator Futrell stating
desired to appear before the COM
mittee did not receive the courtesy
of a reply. Under date of February
18th | wrote Senator Futrell in part
as follows:
Mr.. J. NJ. Futrell Little Rock,
Ark. Dear Friend Marion. AS | am
likely to be around home for the next
week or ten days, l write to tell you
that at any time you want me to
come down and appear before the
committee and give testimony | will
do so. go to Helena on next Tues
dav' night, Feb. 23, and if you want
me to l could come from Helena to
Little Rock. -
| have never received a reply from
this letter, and no one was more
surprised than when | read the re-
mort from this committee in the Ga
zette.
II think, in common fairness, II
the committee had under investiga-
ton matters involving my honesty or
integrity and contemplated publish
ing a report seriously rejecting up
on my official acts, should at least
have been given an opportunity to
testify on these matters.
'In regard to the automobile pur-
chased by Mr.. Dye, will say this was
purchased by him without any au-
thority from the commission, not
withstanding the fact that the rec
ords show otherwise. This statement
can be verified by those who know OF
the transaction, and no man was bet
ter advised of this than was Senator
Futrell-because several months ago
| supplied him with the records. He
| knew | was in no way responsible for