Weekly journal-miner., 1921-07-20
KINGDOM QUOTED AS FAVOR|NG THE CONTRACT
Verde Copper News of Jerome Declares It Correctly Quoted United Verde Extension Man ager Anent Road Policy
From Saturdays DaiIy)

ANO0o A SAAS1
 From Saturdays Daily)
 Under the sub-heading: Complete Refutation," the Verde Copper News last evening published at Jerome statement by George Kingdom, gen. eral manager of the United Verde Extension Mining company, repeat ing the support he was quoted as giving some weeks ago, to the ma jority of the highway commission, in their employment of consulting engi- neers. The statement was obtained from MT. Kingdom, the Jerome news paper goes on to state, because the good faith of the first interview with the mine manager had been directly questioned in an editorial appearing few days ago in Prescott even ing paper.
 The substance of Mir. Kingdoms original interview was used by the Journal-Miner on the assurance of a thitd party who vouched for the ve- -racity of the statement that the United Verde Extension man had adopted stand favoring the employ ment of the engineers.
 MT. Kingdom. according to the Verde Copper News, now expands his former declaration and gives some reasons for his stand. The fol- lowing is taken bodily from the Je- rome papers columns of last even- ing:
 "The charge was so direct and so gratuitously insulting that it seemed to secure a positive state ment from Mir. Kingdom, who was yesterday morning.
 Complete Refutation
 "Mr. Kingdom reiterated his state ment that he was absolutely in favor of the hiring of competent consulting engineers and repeated that it is his belief that the road commission has taken the direct method to secure the maximum of economy in the expen- allure of the road bond money by its action. He added that when the matter was first brought to his att tention, he had objected to the pay ment of any extravagant fees to any body and the contract made with Olmsted & Gil1elen is one highly favorable to the county and to the taxpayers.
 CT believe he said, that the con- mission has done wisely in this mat Ter and any statement to the effect hat I opposed its action is absolute y false. As representing one of the argest taxpayers of the county, am free to say that I believe n the most complete supervision of III expenditures and I hope that here will be complete harmony in he conduct of the road work. If he present officials cannot work in armony with the commission, they hould be asked to resign. This is a reat sum that is to be spent and re are entitled to the very maximum f efficiency. The county wants no 1rther bond issues and it is my opin- 416E 4ba ,11k ill, if properly and economically oent accomplish every present need. CT am surprised that there should 9 any difference of opinion in the alter and, speaking only for myself } an individual, can but repeat hat I said before, that it is my ought that the commissioners have ted for the best interests of the xpayers in hiring supervising en- neers. I have no personal knowl- ge of the capabilities of Messrs. lmsted and Gillclen, but I under and they have the highest recom- endations and are skilled in this Tt of work This, however, is be- le the main point of the unfortu- te existing controversy, which ems to be a question as to whether did or did not approve the action the commission. All I can say is It I do-most emphatically.'
 No Mistake
 This frank and open statement ould suffice to show that the rde Copper News made no mis- e and that the misstatements, if 7, have come from the interests t have seen fit to oppose the ac- n of the majority of the commits ners, which interests appear not be so careful of the exact truth as ,ht be desirable"