The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-26
He EXPLAINS ALL
James A. Troutman Tells of
Fees in Road Case Suit.
Payments Were Regular and
According to Contract.
BEFORE GO. COMMISSIONERS
Attorney Appears in His Own
Behalf This Morning.
John L.TrOutman Matter Comes
Up Tomorrow Morning.
BEFORE co. COMMISSIONERS

James A. Troutman, Topeka attor-
ney and candidate for governor, ap-
peared today before the board of
Shawnee county commissioners and
made a verbal statement concerning
legal fees paid him from the funds
of Topeka township in the West Tenth
street road case. Troutman declared
that the payment of $500 in fees was
regular and according to contract and
that the last 800 voucher was deliv-
cred to him personally by I. NJ. Orner.
the present township trustee.
Troutman's statement was made fol-
lowing the reading by the commission
OF the resolution asking an investiga-
ton of the Troutman affair as passed
by the Gage Park Improvement club.
The communication stated that the
resolutions were passed by the club,
but the commission seemed inclined
to shy at it because of the fact that II
was not signed by any officer or MEM
Der of the. club. The request that the
county commissioners investigate fees
paid James A. Troutman and that the
commission also investigate the ap-
parent fact that the clerks record
shows no record of poll tax collections
or expenditures during the two terms
of John l. TroUtman as trustee, was
IndQ6 DIV IDS pTeSCHl lO"lASiAAP pO~Ao
several days ago when the latter APP
peared before the commission and
cited the records, contracts and youch-
ers in its files.
Following Troutman's statement the
commissioners announced that the af-
fair would be continued until 10
o'clock tomorrow morning, and also
stated that all parties interested be
present at the meeting. The commits
sion further stated that efforts will be
made to make a final disposal of the
controversy at the meeting. This was
in line with a request from Troutman
that the affair be ironed out as soon
as possible.
Explanation of Suit.
John L. Troutman did not make
any statement to the commission.
James A. Troutman. in asserting that
the payments of fees to him were
regular. st.ted that the first suit to
street road was filed under the name
of Topeka township.
This suit was dismissed and
another one filed under the name of
taxpayers because Judge Whitcomb.
in the district court. ruled that such
name of taxpayers" said Troutman.
st received my retainer fee of $3.50
as provided in the contract when I
began action" the lawyer said. 81
won a permanent Injunction in the
district court and. as the contract pro-
vided for an additional payment of
$3.50 If I won in the district court. I
Immediately sent in my bill, and 1t
was allowed.'f
Troutman then went on to explain
that the county commissioners APP
pealed to the supreme court and that
notifications were obtained that tore
down the injunction. In the mean
time, however, Troutman asserted.
legislation was passed which changed
the state road laws to make the costs
of the West Tenth street Improvement
more favorable to the taxpayers.
"It was hen." said Troutman. that
1t was decided by both the new and
old township board and the taxpay-
ers that I had been successful and
that I was entitled to the payment of
another 500"
Given to Him Personally.
Troutman stated that the last 500
voucher was given to him personally
by I. NJ. Orner. the present trustee.
and a membe~ of the board which is
asking the investigation.
The 800 voucher referred to Is on
file in the county clerks office. 1t is
signed by I. NJ. Orner, trustee. and
bears this notation written with a lead
pencil:
"Ordered under John L. Troutman.
trustee"
The commissioners today expressed
the hope hat all parties interested in
the controversy be present at, 10
o'clock tomorrow morning, in order
that some decision may be reached
and he af.ai- disposed Of
Several times in his statement to the
county commissioners today James A.
Troutman intimated that the State
Journal was responsible for the af-
fair.
Here are some facts for Mr.. Trout
mans benefit: The State Journal did
not print the story about the request
for an investigation of the fees and
poll tax collections and expenditure
records until several days after it had
been made by the present Topeka
township board. The State Journal
held up the story. not with the inten-
ton of suppressing 1t, but to be able
to obtain the ruling in an opinion re-
quested from the county attorney rela-
tive to whose duty 1t was to conduct an
investigation of the affair. If the State
Journal is responsible for anything of
public nature that is of direct inter-
est to the taxpayers. this paper is