The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-12-03
Of State Ag. Board In An
other Instance
When Secretary Salary Paid
To Two People

show matters still further involving
/ the integrity of the state board of
agriculture. President John Begg
drew his expenses as provided by the
"decentralizer" for period of five
days Immediately after the new law
went into effect. At the same time he
drew S55 as salary as secretary of the
new board. Most of the time duplicat-
ed, it is said, was spent at his home
attending to private business. The in
tent is shown in the fact that at the
personal request of Mr.. Begg and 9TH
er board members the secretary of the
agricultural commission remained on
the job until the selection of Renick
w. Dunlap and he, too, was paid for
the work. The payment of the form
er secretary was at the rate of $4,000
a year. But Mr.. Begg went as far as
possible and drew at the rate of $4,000
a year, the amount fixed in the econo-
my measure passed by Willis demand.
The Ohio corn boys are on their
tour to Washington and other eastern
cities. There are not SO many of them
this year as heretofore and there are
not SO many tourists, but what the
crowd lacks in numbers it makes up
in enthusiasm. Many of the contest
ants for prizes were disappointed by
reason of the fact that the new state
board of agriculture failed to arrange
for the free trip promised in many
counties. In Franklin county at the
last minute one individual came for
ward with the money after the disap-
pointed lad had advertised in the
newspapers. In other counties no ar
rangements at all were made. Much
of the disaffection was due to the fact
that people did not know just what the
attitude of the administration was to
be Notwithstanding the fact that the
| junior contest work was still kept in
| the hands of T.. =. Riddle who had
managed it twice in the past. The at
tack on Mr.. Riddle on charges affect
ing the conduct of last years excur-
sion possibly had some adverse effect,
even though Riddle was cleared at a
hearing before the board which had
him employed. Also about the time
that the corn prizes were to be award
ed came the state fair mismanage-
ment and deficit and the general dis
| of ha uta hna rd Of
ture for inefficiency and free pass
graft. On top of it all came the knowi-
edge that the fund for domestic sci
ence courses for the girls had been
eaten up in salaries given to the polit-
ical office holders. So in view of tine
many handicaps the tour and contest
work of the year may be at least
called q mild success.
Inquiry is being made of those in
charge OF matters why certain of the
officers of the Ohio national guard
were permitted to attend the Panama
Pacific exposition at the expense of
the state. Favoritism is charged.
Among those who have been at San
Francisco on matters OF state or poll
tics are Col Guy Deming OF Ada. Col.
Zimmerman. Col. Critchfield and Gen.
Hough.
At the recent convention of the East
ern Ohio Teachers association. reso-
lutiOns strongly commendatOry OF the
Cox school code we're adopted. Here
is a quotation:
We express our qualification and
satisfaction at the manner in which
our new school code is working out.
especially TO the advantage OF our vii
lage and rural districts. We feel GER
tain that the provision for county and
district supervision is a step that will
insure the organization and program OF
our rural schools that we have so long
desired.
Until now Governor Willis has over
looked one of the numerous legislative
COMMISSIONS ne ndd authorized Dy the
Eighty-first general assembly. Some
one has called his attention TO the
matter. however. and il is not likely
the jobs will go longer untitled This
commission which the governor Is EN-
powered TO create is TO devise plan
and policy for military instruction in
the educational institutions of the
state. Willis ought to name this com
mission before he goes on Henry
Ford's peace ship. so that while teach,
, ing The warning nations OF Europe how
not 10 tight the youth OF his own state
. may be taught how not 10 BE peace
ful.