Weekly journal-miner., 1917-09-12

IlOLNlNs .1Np pl T--Nll ing and almost sensational report on the State prison has been submitted to Governor Campbell by C. P. Lee, auditor and public accountant, whose preface to the report indicates the difficulties he encountered in formu- lating a report. Mir. Lee says: "The records arc very incomplete, particu larly with respect to sales Of supplies and cash transactions. Nothing could be found touching on the original supplies 10 guards, officers and others nc inmates of the institution. No attempt has ever been made to keep 2 check on supplies from the store room. It would be an endless job to attempt to prove out the supplies for the past two or five years or any period in the past five years in which such a procedure might be attempted.
 No inventory has ever been taken, so the stock on hand would have to be guessed at as starting point. To it would have to be added all pur- chases of supplies from original claims as per invoices. From this amount would be deducted all requisi- tions for inmates mess covering the period, and also the amounts sold to guards mess and officers and em- ployes of the institution, plus the in ventory at the end of the period. Now, if there was found to be balance of supply purchases unaccounted for during such period by the above pro cess the question would arise, to whom is the difference chargeable or who is responsible for the discrep- ancy? I am, therefore not attempting to show any discrepancy except in comparative way, particularly cover ing the period between September, 1915. and June l5, 1917, when the methods used seem to have been more lax than at any other time during the past five years"
 Unable to Get Assistance.
 Mir. Lee made several attempts to secure assistance from former offi- cials of the prison, in inc hope that some light might be thrown upon misty transactions, but was unable to do so.
 The accountant was somewhat aware of the difficulties that lay in his way. for he had some previous eXperi- ence with the accounts of the prison He made an audit in the Summer of 1913 for the State auditor. The books and records were in very bad shape at that time and as a result of Mir. Lees findings the then secretary ot the prison was asked to resign and sue cessor was appointed.
 The report contains such state ments of balances and analyses of ac- counts as could be made up from the available figures, but to the average reader they would mean little. Other facts are set forth by Mir. Lee in notes accompanying the report. There are many instances of irregularities and some doubtless are of speculation.
 Discrepancy Is Shown.
 If is related that Pete Rvenente, one of the guards, on October /, 1916. paid his account, evidently for supplies furnished him, amounting to s65 40. As has been stated, no record of charge accounts could be dlscov- cred. so Mir. Lee could not state det- initely whether this account was cor rect. However, the foregoing amount was afterward changed on the books to s35.40, making a reduction ot cash received according to the record of S30 This difference was offset by other discrepancies, among others and overdraft of Brinl,ley, who was keep ;ng the books at that time. Brinkley was . COnNlCt ana Idu dONSSS AO N'N cash. It is elsewhere mentioned ID the report that he escaped from thc prison just before the management ot that institution changed hands after the decision in the Superior court seated Governor Campbell.
 Gross irregularities, though NIT. Ice does not directly charge that there was anything worse in the dis tribution of supplies to the guard mess and elsewhere. No record ot supply sales to guards and others have been discovered covering the i part of two years prior to June Is, ! 1917. Mir. Lee makes the following comment: Tt has been whispered around that supply charges were made on slips, placed on spindles on desks around the office and that col lections were made for those that did not blow away. A comparison of the monthly averages would indicate con