New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-03
investigators Begin with
the Department of
Agriculture.
DISEASED CATTLE
SCANDAL SCENTED
First Day as Governor
Goes with Snap of Dis
triCt Attorney Days.

Albany. Jan. >. Governor Whit
mans promised investigation Of the
expenditure IN all state departments
began to-day with the agricultural di-
vision L. went only as far as the
collection Of "a few records, but by
noon Monday the investigation will be
under fun swing, a statement issued
by Controller Travis tonight said.
Deputy Controller Fred c. Reusswig.
of Utica. was designated by the Con-
troller to conduct the investigation.
Several trained examiners from the
Controllers Office will assist him.
\ report that there are numerous in
spectors Of the department in New
York City. where there is little need
for their services. will be one Of the
first objects Of the inquiry.
The killing Of condemned cattle also
will be inquired into.
There has been scandal in connec-
tion with the condemnation Of dis
eased cattle for which the state -
called upon TO reimburse owners" the
Controllers statement declared.
Claims against the state on this
score now aggregate about 100000.
There is thrce-yoar-old claim o.
S260OO0 from farmers who lost horses
suffering from glanders and another
Of the same age OF Sl2J,OOO for tuber-
cuiar cattle destroyed.
4 third for $4,000 is sought 20 pay
a debt incurred in borrowing money to
pay for other diseased cattle killed.
"Therc is no disposition" the state
ment from the Controllers Office eX-
planned, "to interfere with the useful
activities Of the Agricultural Depart
m,nt IN so far as they serve TO pro
mote the welfare of the farmer and
20 protect the consumer IL Is believed,
however, tnat an analysis Of the eX-
penditureS will reveal condition OF
affairs not consistent with principles
Of economy"
1t b. understood that the eSpendi-
lures of each department will be in
yestigated separately and that the Gov
ernOr will recommend such remedial
legislation as he sees iit as eacn in
quiry is ended and the result reported
TO him.
The Governor conferred with legis-
lative leaders to-day. but plans for the
year were not completed. They will
confer with him again next week. Ills
first message IS not completed.
Governor Whitman first caller to-
day was his college friend. Edwin
Duffy. Of Cortland. who is being men
toned as the possible head Of the pro-
posed new highways commission, which
will be patterned, it is said, after the
Hughes nOn-partisan commission. He
then met the newspaper correspond
ents. and his next visitor was Senator
Elon Brown. the Republican leader of
the upper house. Speaker Sweet of the
Assembly called afterward, and he was
followed by Lieutenant Governor
ScnOencck.
IL was Mr.. Whitman's first working
day as Governor. and it went Oft with
the snap and go that distinguished his
labors i'm the Office OF District Attorney
i'm New York City.
He had planned earlier in the week
TO return to New York this afternoon
to close some personal matters. but this
plan was changed at the last moment.
The Legislature will meet Wednesday
and adjourn for one week. During the
recess the Governor viii hold confer
ences with Senatoa Brown, Speaker
Sweet and Asscmblyman Harold J. Hin
man. the Republican leaders of the
Legislature. At these conferences the
various bills for reOrganiZing the state
will be discussed and their
provisions determined upon.