The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-06-18
N. A. Turner Says That's Rea-
son He Can't Be Auditor.
He Accuses Governor of Play
ing Politics in Appointments.
TO STAY ON JOB WITH KNAPP
Open Hostilities Between OFF,
Gals Is Indicated.
Refusal of Knapp To Resign
Surprise to Many.

Indications pointing to open HOSTILE
ties between the office of Governor
Allen and Fred w. Knapp, state audi
tor, became more apparent today
Turner, assistant auditor, charging
Governor Allen with playing politics
in making appointments. Turner as
serted that he was not listed as
Knapp's successor because he was
unfortunate in not being an Allen man
in the primary last year"
Recently Knapp stated that he
planned to resign. He expected to en-
ter the new Salina Reserve bank.
which opened for business when the
doors of the Kansas State bank were
closed. Knapp.is vice president of the
new bank. The present state auditor
wanted his assistant appointed. When
it became apparent that Governor AL
len planned to appoint Bert Walker,
an Osborne newspaper man, Knapp
stated he would serve the remainder
of his term.
Turner's Friends Worked Hard.
Turner's friends had made an ag-
gressive campaign for his appoint
ment. Petitions circulated in the state
house were signed by a large majority
of the officials and employees. That
Turner not only resents the stand of
the governor but believes he was play
ing politics in the proposed appoint
AllSlll WdS CdlGo III the tome OIL his
interview.
1t is Turner's plan to continue as
assistant state auditor during the re-
mainder of the Knapp term. Some
time ago Turner had planned to enter
a bank in Russell. He changed his
would resign. Now both men will
stay on the job.
The State Journal today asked Tur-
| ner if he expected to remain in the
service.
"That is my PLAN" he said. 'Id
stay if it took the hide Off"
Then Turner unloaded at the ex-
pense of Governor Allen. ~
.-ss Says He Was Unfortunate.
you see I was unfortunate" he
said. lin not being an Allen man in
the primary last year. That was the
final test as others have found. for
recognition by the Allen regime. l
failed on the acid test, as the saying is.
"Yes, I'll continue TO perform my
duties as assistant auditor for the next
year and a half as in the past, think
| ing always of the interests of the peo-
pie of the state rather than playing
| faVorite to some particular set or
| clique. And, by the way, won't you
say thank you for me to the state
| house people who with less than a
| half dozen exceptions, signed an en-
dorsement for me without solicitation
! IN any way
The new turn in the Allen-Knapp
affair was a subject of much comment
| in the state house today. While per-
sons in the councils of the admin
| istration had not listed Turner as
| Knapp's successor the refusal of
| Knapp to resign after his announce
| ment was somewhat of surprise.
Now the dopesters see prospects of a
| lively row.
Old Breach Recalled,
Because of the fact that he is in
| possession of the detailed records and
acts of aN-state departments. the aud
| iter is able to put his fingers on many
| iteras that might cause much trouble
| to the administration in power. The
| present situation has recalled the
| Stubbs-Davis breach of 1910 when w.
| E Davis, as state auditor. made public
| records of expenditures. These records
were used by Tom Wagstaff and the
| late A. C. Stitch, both of Independence.
| in the campaign which Wagstaff
| made against Stubs in the guberna-
~ iaI Wi, W.T.