Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-22
.KEPHART DENIES
MISUSE Of FUNDS
Promises to Explain in Full His
Administration at Next
Audit Meeting
EVERYTHING WAS REGULAR

Harrisburg. June % Harmon NJ.
ephart, former State Treasurer. de.
MED today that he Is guilty Of the mis-
use Of State funds rs Is charged in the
sixth section Of the report Of Main 4
Co, ayountants VINO examined the
Treasury books from May. 1917. TO
May. 1921. Scct!on & OF the report
was turned over 20 Auditor General
Lewis yesterday.
All of the charges as 70 The personal
use of State funds we're denied by Mr..
Kephart. who promised thnt a full ex'
planation will be made when be teSt!-
hes at the next hearing.
'The use ot the contingent and de-
fciency funds Of the Treasury dhrinc
NY term as State Treasurer. said Mr.
Eephart, "was regular in every way
and will be fully explained when the
hearings are resumed.
Mr.. Krl,har' admitted that ho roim'
bursed himself for f-avo ing expenses
because hc WIS under tho IMPRESSION
that this was the practire among STATE
officials
II never knew until today ho -aiI.
'of former \ attorney Genera. Brown :
opinion thar such expenses could ny ,"
maid and am ready ~ refund those
amounts II I was wrong in the Use Of
the money.
Mr., Kenhar explained that he ex.
rended State money when making buSl-
ncss tr.ps 20 Washington, n tsourgh
Philadelphia. and other cities.
Passes Lie to Berlin
Mr. Ecnhart declared that he wi, he
eh'o 70 show that al the persons who
received money ON uf III" cCntnGen
fund furnished their services 70 The
State.
Berlin. who furnished an AFFIDAVIT that
he never received $500 credited 70 him
as paid on. o: III" contingent fund o:
the treasury for "s-cc!A' services.
~ am surprised. Said Mr.. K"rhart.
"at the sworn >ta'om"nt or Mr. lf'r-
lin. who denied receiving $500. but |
guess "" can uroy" satisfactorily to
Nr Lewis that Berlin gct the money.
Mr.. Kerhart cffcr"d The excuse that
he handlci the contingent fund in th'
same manner that officials of other
State Departments handled II. when
n was necessary TO advance funds fOr
business trips" h. said. 'or for other
purposes. ms was occasionally 'ho case
I check was drawn and an accounting
made later. This accounts for the use
of some Of the checks for small amounts
with which am charged with making
payments in privat" matters. This !
bever did unless il was with money
which was legally due me. and used
the checks in the same manner that or
any other State employc would have
psed their semi monthly pay checks TO
pay bills.
Bell BANKS Mentioned
This sixth section Of the report again
mentions prominently the banks OF John
A. Bell, Pittsburgh banker, as the
agents through which Mr.. kNphur,
operated.
The report sets forth that the $500
check, used by kep'hrt as part pay
ment on personal note. was used BY
Eephart to purChaS" a treasurer ;
check or what j. commonly known a. "A
"cashicr's check 1T the Colonial
Trust Company. Pittsburgh. Mr.. Bell
is president ii that company.
The section daulS with contingent and
deficiency funds totalng $24 300 ap-
propratrd 20 the Treasury Department
by the LEGISLATURE Of 1917 and 1913.
"A careful examination Of the tund~
will show" said Mr.. kCphart, "that
at the end Of ny t"rm / returned 10
the State Treasury $500 which wa
unexpended.