The Mena weekly star., 1916-10-26
GRAND JURY MAKES REPORT OF DO|NCS
round but F Indictments. but Cau- lions Against BOotIeggers-isecom- mends That Shortages Found by
 the Auditors Be Paid In.

Following is the final report of
 the grand jury made to Judge J. T.
 Bowling:
 To the Honorable Jefferson T. Cowl-
 ing, Circuit Judge:
 We, your grand jury for the Oc-
 t0Def term of the Polk Circuit court
 III 1916, beg to report that we have Deen Tn session two and one-half
 uays, examined into all crimes of which we had knowledge or received
 information, and in so doing have examined 7l witnesses and returned
 Y indictments.
 We have thru our committee vis-
 lted the poor farm and find the in- mates well cared for, but find that
 new Hue and a new porch on the south and west sides of the east building occupied by the inmates is needed, as well as new set Of steps
 Tor the west building occupied by l the inmates.
 We visited the jail in body and Ind 1t In a sanitary condition, but lind that fourteen panes of glass are broken out of the windows which should be replaced; that the water from the drain pipe at the north west corner of the jail is washing some of the bricks loose, and that
 thls condition should be remedied: and that some of the rooms on the first floor should be repapered.
 We find that crime is on the de- crease in this county, as it has been Tor the last several years. While We returned no indictments for Vio- latlons of the liquor laws, a consid- erable portion of our time was spent III Investigating cases against boot leggers who have been operating around the wagon yards and selling to boys and others here in Mena and elsewhere, and whose identity we were unable to learn. We recom- mend that all officers keep a sharp lookout for such violations. for they will grow to alarming proportions soon If they are not checked. We find that some of our mer- chants have violated the law limit ing the hours during which females may work. passed by the last legis- lature; but since this is a new stat ute and it's provisions not generally known We have returned no indict- ments in such cases, but recom- mend that the next grand jury re- turn indictments if such violations continue.
 We have had before us a very ex- haustiye audit of the county's books made by Shannon Reynolds X Bone, certified accountants of Memphis, Tenn, under contract with the County Judge and completed August 2ith, i9i6, as we'll as very com plete report of the Commissioners of Accounts of their audit of the Icountys books completed immedi- ately before the convening of court.
 The report of the expert account ants show that certain county off, cers now serving, and some whose terms of office have expired, are in- dehted to the county in an aggre- gate sum of S2066.46 and the re- port of the Commissioners of Ae- counts shows that several consta- bles are indebted to the county in varying sums, most of which are very small.
 We have investigated these mat ters to determine whether or not any Of these shortages were the re- suit of any corrupt action or in- tent upon the part of any of these officials, and are glad to report that we are thoroly convinced that such is not the case. On the other hand we believe that all of our county officials are thoroly honest men and competent, and that these shortages are the result of carelessness and the incomplete system of boOkkeep- ing in use
 Since we find that none of these shortages are the result of any will ful or corrupt intent upon the part of our officers. We could return no indictments. but we do feel and rec ommend that these shortages be taken nn and dispnsed of at the ear- Hest date possible.
 To this end we recommend that the County Court cite all those shown by these reports to he short to appear in the County Court at an early date for a settlement; and aft CT a settlement has been had and the amount actually due determined by the County Court, that the prose- cutting attorney file suit against those found to be short and their bondsmen if these balances so found to he due are not paid at once. We wish to thank the Court and all the officers of the Court for the many eourtesies shown us in the discharge of our duties. and their willingness to aid us in every way possible.
 Now having completed our duties, we respectfully ask to be dis charged. Respectfully submitted, J. ". Gardner. Foreman.