Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-07
SNYDER NOW LOVES THE LAW
BY GEORGE NOX Mccain

BY GEORGE NOX MCCAIN
VTEE Attorney Generals investigation into
= the peculiar system Of bookkeeping in
the State Treasury under former Treasurer
Harmon NJ. Kephart has already begun to
produce results.
1t will be recalled that when former
Auditor General-now the present State
Trcasurer-Charles a. Snydcrs books were
examined by Main & Co.. certified public
accountants, they discovered that n most
remarkable system of accounting had been
carried on during Mr.. Snydcr's tenure Of
Office.
One Of the sensational results of the
Snyder system was the discovery that the
10000 Beidleman check had been ordered
paid from fund that was available only for
advertising and the Escheat of Moneys"
In following up other payments and
vouchers the accountants disclosed the fur
ther fact that thousands of dollars had been
paid by Snyder from other funds that had
no connection whatever with the character
of service rendered.
In other words. the funds we're jugged as
it suited the convenience Of that official.
1t is not to be wondered that in following
the clear line Of his sworn duty Auditor
General Samuel 8. Lewis has incurred the
displeasurc. not to use n more emphatic
word, of State Treasurer Snyder and his
predecessor, Mr.. Kephart.
1t was not to be expected. therefore, that
the bill of Main & Co. for their services
in uncovering the odorous mess on Capitol
Hill would pass unquestoned.
Thor, hoI .L,t IL ~
disputed that payment might be refused.
The cashier of the State Treasury, Thomas
A. Cr:chton, as anticipated, brought the
matter of its payment to the attention Of
Attorney General Alter on technicality. 1t
was whether or not Main & Co. s bill could
be paid out of deficiency appropriation
of 1921.
After all his experience in switching funds,
paying attorneys and others out of funds
that had nothing to do with their work,
State Treasurer Snyder suddenly found it
necessary in n remarkable recrudesccnce OF
zeal to appeal. through his cashier, to the
long ignored Attorney General for advice.
Attorney General Alters decision was that
the bill should be paid out of the deficiency
appropriation.
State Treasurer Snyder's discovery of the
existence of an Attorney General, after
years in which he had disregarded his power
and authority. Is the one prominent and
visible result Of the present investigation.
And now that Mr.. Snyder has come to his
senses Attorney General Alter should by no
means ignore the fact that he. as the repre-
sentative legal officer of the Commonwealth
owes a duty to the people with respect to
MIR. Snyder as former Auditor General tina,
should not be overlooked or neglected.
The money disbursed by the former Audi.
tor General to his self appointed attorneys,
In fragrant and boastful violation of the
direct mandate of the Act of 1915 prohibiting
such appointments, still remains TO be recov.
cred from Mr.. Snyder or his bondsmen.
1t is in excess of 500, 900 and it belongs
to the people.
More vividly should this duty be impressed
upon the mind Of Attorney General Alter
because of the fact that the present Auditor
General, Mr.. Lewis. has made no such an
pontments without the full concurrence and
advice of Mr.. Alter
The decision as to the payment of the bill
of Main & Co. for auditing Mr.. Snyder's
books and unravelins their sinuous intrica.
cics has also a wider significance.
On his own responsibility, just as when
he appointed attorneys illegally, State
Treasurer Snyder ordered an examination
and auditing Of State Treasurer Kephart's
books. 4 firm of accountants completed the
work months ago.
Not n word has been heard with reference
to the result.
VIII Mr.. Snyder, through his cashier,
demand that the bill for this work ordered
by him on his own responsibility be paid
out of the deficiency appropriation Of 1921