Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-04-14
CHARGE RELY
WITH MISUSE
OFPUBLICCASH
Porto Ricans Severely Ar
raign Americans Con-
duet.
SOME MONEY PAID BACK

WASHINGTON, April IA long
story of the alleged appropriation Of pub
lie money for private use is told in a
copy received here of the recent grand
jury presentment returned in Porto Rico
against Governor E. Mont Reilly, his Sec
rotary. John Hull, and Auditor w. L.
Kessinger.
In asking the prosecuting attorney to
prepare indictments against the three
officials, the grand jury charged that
they all gave their approval TO numerous
irregular treasury disbursements for the
Governor recent trip TO Washington,
for an inaugural tour through the
island and for other purposes. 1t is also
alleged in the jury's findings that public
money was paid out and charged against
purchases for the executive mansion in
cases where the jury is convinced that
the material mentioned was mot pur-
chased for official use"
In the case Of the inaugural tour. the
trip to Washington and smaller items,
the jury's report says, the money adj
vanced TO Governor Reilly by Auditor
KessinEer was paid over on q warrant
which stated that the sums disbursed
were due the several payees, and which
required no subsequent accounting At
other times, it was charged IN the evil
dence before the jury, the Governor drew
"divers sums from the treasury on SINH
lar warrants and Through simple letters
signed by Secretary Hull"
Much of the money. it is set forth. was
paid back TO the Porto Rican Govern
ment by the Governor after the grand
jury investigation began The report
says that the first knowledge Of a sur
plus from the $1,000 advanced for the
Washington trip was when the Governor
appeared before the jury and pulled
out Of his pocket s. 600 which he states
was left over
The Governor is said 10 have explained
that he had not returned the surplus
sooner because he was waiting for a
complete record Of his expenses during
the trip.
CALLED ABSTRACT
OF JURT'S REPORT
The grand Jurys report, as it was
cabled 70 Resident Commissioner Felix
Cordovia Davila here by Antonio r. Bar
cello, president OF the Porto Rican
Senate, reads In part:
Facts proved by documents before
US and sworn testimony are:
THAT the overnOr solicited from in
sular Treasury, 5000, in the nature Of
advance for making official trip TO
Washington, going and returning in
~ company divers persons Governor
himself examined and approved requisi-
ton and Auditor Kessinger authorized
payment such funds and issued two set
Element warrants instead Of two account
able warrants which would remain sub
ject subsequent auditing and Obligate
persons who received funds to render
accounting justifying same.
Grand jury found said advances
were made in open violation Of law and
rules established by auditors Office. In
first place auditor, whose special duty
is TO care for disbursements public
funds, as no record of any explanation
having been asked concerning motive
for said trip to Washington. did not try
to verify how many persons composed
party nor did be ask for official appoint
ments such persons to know how mar
composed commission = nor did It oc-
cur to him to ascertain whether or not
there was any money left over.
Things were done as il people Of
Porto Rico had been indebted TO the Gov
ernor in 5000.
SAYS FORM USED
WAS UNLAWFUL.
The form unIawfully used IN this case
and in theirs hereafter mentioned is that
in which the auditor said;
my reasons for said payments are
that l find that there is due the several
stracts the amounts set opposite their
names and that the disbursements for
these payments are properly certified by
the department head or other official
having charge Of the expenditure and
are submitted for payment and proper
receipt thereon Of each draft enclosed
eft is clear that there was no such IN
deLtedness because Insular Treasury was
owing nothing TO Governor. The
Z lrr NM
Of the disbursement of said 5000 and
he understands pursuant TO evidence IL
possession Of the grand jury that he is
under no obligation TO detail and prove
his expenses, but only TO make general
report Of disbursements.
1.-The investigation OF this grand jury
went to bottom of the affair, and IN con-
sequence OF questions propOunded to the
Governor, who returned from the States,
Jan. 20, he pulled out OF his pocket, In
presence Of jury, $1,000, with which he
states was left over from his trip TO
Washington, and It was from that amount
that knowledge was had Of the existence
Of such surplus.
BONNER REFUSED
TO ACCEPT MONEY.
"Ex-Auditor Bonner swore before the
Jury that when before n trip TO Wash
ingtOn the Governor offered him money
out of the public Treasury for his ex-
penses. he refused. because he under
stood he should pay his expenses out
Of his own pocket. The Cover
nor explained he did not turn in the
Hurplus sum because he was waiting for
Bonner 10 render to him an account of
his expenses. and on this the Governor
based the fact OF having kept $1,000 re-
naming and of not having returned same
TO the Treasury, as the Governor al
ieged he had no knowledge OF Bonner's
,.-clsion until March 20.
VThe Governor on Aug. l and Oct. 90
1921, reQUlsitioned Insular Treasury to
issue in favor Of Hull, his private sec
rotary. two items Of $500 each in the ma
ture OF an advance for expenses Of the
overnor in his inaugural trip through
the island. This requisitiOn for money
was examined and approved by the Gov