Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-12-11
BOARD OF CONTROL
TURNS DOWN LAZARUS
Refuses to Consider His
Claims for Further
Compensation

Sacred history mentions the fact that
Lazarus was licked by the dogs"
Today as Architect Lazarus left the
board of control room after having his
claims for additional compensation for
his work in connection with the re-
reiving ward at the state hospital for
the insane turned Down, his face in
dicated that he thought history was re-
peating itself, and that he had under
gone similar experience to the origin
al Lazarus mentioned in the sacred
pages. Anyway he was badly clicked, )"
no matter who or what the "lickers =
were. Lazarus has been a thorn in the
side of the board of control ever since
his first connection with the work of
building the receiving ward begun. He
drew the plans and specifications with
the understanding he was to be paid
commission of per cent on the cost
of the building which was estimated to
be $4s,000 Later it seems an agree
ment was reached between himself and
the board of control by which the board
was to provide a superintendent of
construction and this expense was to be
borne by him. At the same time he
was informed by Superintendent Stein
of the hospital that the board would
not consider paying him more than 8
per cent. AT the subsequent meeting
of the board the whole matter was
threshed out and as compromise the
board agreed to allow him three and
half per cent. This the records show.
He accepted this and was paid on this
basis. This was supposed to settle the
matter so far as the board was con-
cerned, but the board did not know
Lazarus He wanted more, and he said
so repeatedly, and emphatically. That
was why the board heard him =,
morning. He was represented by an
attorney, but the latter soon apparent
ly discovered he had a hard case (this
does not mean Lazarus) and one there
was little to base an argument on.
State Treasurer Kay stated the facts
of the case. in strong terms, and was
indorsed by Secretary Olcott, while Dr.
Steiner hauled facts and records show.
ing the whole transaction, and also
that it had been settled all bills paid
and that Lazarus had accepted these
in full. In his latest bill, it
was shown that he insisted on collect
ing 5 per cent on the money that had
been paid him. He also wanted per
centage on work with which he had no
connection. The wrangle was long
and warm one, especially when Treas
urer Kay went over the top and poured
a barrage fire ahead of him.
1t is too long a story to give the
details, but the end was that Mr.. Kay
moved the whole matter be postponed
indefinitely motion seconded by Mr..
Olcott, and as the whole matter had
occurred before Governor Withycombe Is
term, it happening SIX years ago, he said
he could see nothing in the matter
worth considering, that it had all been
settled, and so he put the motion which
was carried unanimously. 1t was then,
as Lazarus gathered up his evidence,
his letter files, his blue prints and his
feelings, that far away look spread
over his face, look so very far away
it suggested he was commuping with
his .scriptural namesake, and that he
felt he had gone through the same ex
perience as had the former.