The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-12-14
Legion Fund
 To Be Probed

State Comptroller Harvey P. Bis sell was authorized by the state board of control, yesterday, to 1nvestlgale any affairs in the administration or this fund by the Legion as the re- suit of MT. BisselPs charges to Gov ernor Lake that Treasurer Frank S. Butterworth of the American Legion had unlawfully spent sS,0O0 from the income of the $2,500,Oo0 saate fund for the relief of needy ex-serVice men
 Treasurer Butterworth refused to give direct replies to questions asked by Comptroller Bissen and declined to say whether he believed 10 per cen1. overhead expense was fair in the administration of a trust funo- Comptroller Bissell elfcited the in formation from MT. Butterworth that committees from the local American Legion posts investigated applications for assistance and these results were forwarded to him at New Haven.
 ''Then the greatest part of the ex- pense for the payment of MT. Butter wordh is for signing checks?" asked Comptroller Bissell.
 Come down to my office and see, retorted MT. Buterworth. who sa1d that four women clerks were eT11- pIoyed by him on work connected with the staae fund. He admitted that this work was done in his office where his personal business was also transacted. Refusing to answer other direct queS- tionS MT. Butterworth constantly re- ferred to the letter he had sent to Governor Lake. This letter was read to the board end was made public document, but MT. Butterworth de- clined to let newspapers have copy of the letter, 1t is declared.
 Because of the objection by AtSor- ney General Frank F. Healy to an investigation under the statute gov erning the sta1e fund there was in- serted in the resolution auth orizing the investigation the clause 'ff he (the comptroller) deems au1hortza- tion by the state board of control necessary" The attorney general contended that the comptroller, or any other member of the board could at any time seek information concern Ing the handling of the state fund.
 $500 For Months Salary.
 Nr Butterworth confirmed a pub lished statement that he had already drawn $500 for one months pay as administrator of the soldier fund, ab- though ahe resolution providing for the salary from the trust fund lacks the written consent of all the mem bers of the board of control.
 Conlptrollel Bissel1 sought author iZation for investigation of ex- penditures of the fund under provis- ions of Section 3 of Chapter 336 of the Public Acts of 1919. He said it was seldom that more shan 2 per cent. overhead was allowed for the the Hoover relief funds had an over head of from 1 Is to 1 5-S per cent
 Soldiers Need Funds.
 Needy soldiers have been nulcted by this 10 per cent. overhead of the Legion expenditures" said Comptrol- Ter Bissell, but this is only side is sue. for under the law the treasurer has no right to use any part of the fund. There is no justification for spending one cent tof the fund for maintenance. MT. Butterworth pro- poses to take his pay from the fund, but while am comptroller and alive I will see that the intent of the law Is carried out and that only needy soldiers get the benefit of the money"
 Attorney General Hea1y said the comptroller took 8 wrong impression of the matter, thai the board of con- trol acted as trustee of the fund.