The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1916-02-04
.EXTRAVAGANCEBY.
STATE OFFICIALS
ATTORNEY GENERALS ASSIST
ANTS UNCOVER ILLEGAL
EXPENDITURES.
NOT HARD TO DISCOVER



Frankfort. KY. Feb. 2.-Extray-
agancs and illegal expenditures in
many departments Of the State gov
eminent IL the situation being un-
covered by Attorney General M. -
Logan through the work of his sDe-
cial assistants, Logan M. Rock aud
John c. Duffy. Mr.. Logan gave vent
to strong statements regarding de-
plorable conditions at the State capt.
tai. l1Eis shst g..
is no need to dig down."
asserted Mr.. Logan. "You have on
ly to scratch the surface to discover
it," 80
One of the discouraging features
of the situation to his mind is that
any attempt to correct conditions is
met only with the strongest opposi-
ton. Unnecessary expense accounts
and department salary and expense
rolls of illegal size are the chief fea-
lures SO far encountered.
1t cost $4,000 last year to run-the
office of the department of education.
That included only the Office expen-
SEES. This sum was greater than the
cost Of the. conduct of the auditors,
attorney generals and the Govern
or's office combined.
1.-THE department made request
for seven stenographers." said Mr..
Logan. II don't know how many
they need. But IL Mr.. v. O.. Gilbert
has the right to appoint seven he
has just as much legal authority to
appoint 700. with no limitations on
their salary. When declined to
countenance such procedure, / be-
gan to be assailed in letters from all
over the State. wanting to know
whether was opposed to the common
school system.
Let Him Appeal to Assembly.
IF the superintendent needs seven
stenographers let him 60 to the Leg
islature. which is the only body that
has the power to grant him that many
and ask for it. Then there will be
nothing to prevent the naming of
wife, brother, sister or any other rel
alive who has never written line of
shorthand In his life" e
"The worst part Of 1t is. that no
zone regards the law. II the Legisla-
ture says you can't do q certain
thing it's done anyway. The Audi
tors Department IL allowed $4,000
q year to run on. 1t has been using
/ $50. 900. without any apologies. In
the last report from that ONCE noted
I that 'expressage' for 1915 cost ST.
500. That was almost twice as much
as the year before. and knew that
such a sum couldn't have been ex-
pended for expressage. T. detailed
Mr.. Rock to look into it. and he re-
ports that the money was spent in go
ing after requisitioned prisoners.
The account used to be charged to
express agents. and the custom has
continued.
What One Trip Cost.
zone trip of an officer to Michigan
cost the State over $500. He didn't
get the prisoner. and the law express
ly forbids payment of expenses unless
the prisoner is bagged. His next trip.
In which he got his man. cost the
State $3.50. These sums are out
rageous. Officers have made it q
custom to come to Frankfort to get
extradition papers. The State has
been paying their expenses This
is something else that Ia needless.
The papers could be mailed to them.
and they could make their trips from
their home city.
EVERY department touch reveals
the same conditions until am thor
oughly disgusted. I am ready to
throw the whole business overheard
and let someone else step In, who
win be contented to drift spinely
along. But II ! stay here ! am going
to ale suits against everyone whom
I discover has collected money from
the State literally"