Omaha daily bee., 1921-01-14
Appointees
ofCovernor
Joint Legislative Investigating
Committee Finds Many
Complaints on Antics
And Stuhr.
Will Ask for More Time

Lincoln, Neb., Jan. 13.-(Special
Telegram. 1.-Two of Governor s. Il.
Mckelvie's code secretaries arc un-
der fire as a result of an investiga-
ton held this afternoon by the spc
cial Joint committee of the house and
senate appointed Wednesday by
Lieutenant Governor p. A. Barrows.
They are II. Fl. Antics, secretary OF
department of public welfare, and
Leo B. Stuhr, secretary of the de-
partment of agriculture.
The investigation committee ceased
its activities at f. Members an.
nounced that at the joint session OF
the senate and house to be held to-
morrow morning, the committee
would ask for unlimited time to con-
duct its Investigations. Many more
voluntary witnesses and others who
will be summoned, will appear be-
fore the committee before the in
vestigation ends, it was announced.
The meeting was held behind closed
doors in accordance with instructions
issued today by the joint committee
on rules. :.
Question of Aility.
Efficiency and ability of Antics
and Stuhr for their respective offices
were the only questions under con
sideration, according to information
CLEANED from lower house members,
who called upon the investigation
committee to register personal COM
plants and complaints Of constitu-
ents against the code secretaries.
Antics. in brief, is charged with
being temperamentally unfit foc his
position as the director OF public
welfare, because of alleged proclivi-
ties to be "hard boiled" following
his service as chief of police at Lin
coin and deputy warden of the state
penitentiary. Representative Jeary of
Lincoln was the principal voluntary
witness against Antics, it was de-
clared. and Jeary offered 10 bring
so witnesses before the committee to
cite instances to prove the conten-
ton that Antics was unfit execu-
lively and temperamentally for the
position.
''ehaS = e~sA~oA = oAfhNAs
Stuhr is charged before the >onl-
mittee with not being a practical
farmer and with quarreling with
subordinates over trivial matters and
thus impairing the efficiency Of his
department. II was stated. Those
complaining against Stuhr told COM
nlittee members that he was a chel.l-
let n, oroface;oo ,od ,,,h;i. tI,o
owner of farms, was not a practical
farmer who could feel as we'll as see
the needs of the agriculturists
Voluntary witnesses against Stuhr
included Representative Franklin of
Furnas, Senator Otto Ul,ich of
Wayne and number of other lower
house members, it was stated. Viii
liams of Fairmont, an influential and
old-time farm member, who. it Is
said. was displeased with Stuhr's
work, was called by the committee
to appear before it. Previous to an
swering the call. Williams called at
the governors office and then walked
to the office Of Lieutenant Governor
Barrows, where the committee held
its meetings.
While Williams refused to eriti-
else Stuhr, he admitted when ques-
toned that Stuhr was not a practical
farmer such as some declare neces-
sary for man holding his position.
Stuhr appeared before the commit
tee voluntarily and asked for an
audience following the fling OF
charges. This, it is understood, was
promised ElP
Complaint on Johnson.
There was some complaint against
the superintendent of federal high
way aid fundsyby George E. John
son. secretary of the department of
public works, but, it wss stated.
these complaints have not reached
the large dimensions in the ewes OF
the committee that the Stuhr and
Antics troubles have attained.
In addition to instructing the in
vestigation committee to hold a
closed session, the Joint committee
on rules this afternoon prepared a
rule which members declared would
be reported to the joint session Of
the house and senate for adoption.
The rule provides that the report of
the investigation committee shalt be
read behind closed doors and any
found guilty of divulging any Of the
deliberations of the joint body. ex-
c!epting the final vote on conhrma-
ton. shall be deemed guilty of a
misdemeanor and shall be punished
by expulsion, if the members see fit.