The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-03-17
~ ,5pS ~. " n
- - of
Held False
Legislative Investigators Re.
port Bryan's Claim State
Was Bankrupt Is With
out Foundation.
Impeachment Suggested
by z. {. POWELL.
staff Correspondent The Omaha Bee.

ldlltOll. AidlNIl h'pN@At'%'f
the close of the fiscal year Nebraska
will have. $1,150,000 surplus revenue
with all bills paid That is the answer
to the charge of Governor Charles W.
Bryan that the present biennium
would end with a deficit in the treas
ury.
This report, from 4 joint investigat-
ing committee appointed to check up
on some OF the governors financial
claims, came as climax Of a sensa-
tional day in the legislature.
On the basis of these findings, Rep
resentative Elmer J. Lamb of John
son county declared that the governor
had knowingly broadcast false
statements TO the injury of the credit
of the state. 81 viii even go further
and declare that any official making
statements, knowing them to be false
should be impeached. he asserted.
Impeachment Urged.
Leaping 10 his feet on the demo.
cratic side, Representative a. w. I'll
sasser of Omaha shouted, III these
statements are true. steps should be
taken TO impeach the governor, but
| challenge you TO prove that he
knowingly made false statements"
tAmid xreat confusion with dozen
members clamorine for the attention
of the speaker. Mr.. Elsasser made
motion which provided that If the
charges could be proved impeachment
proceedings be started. The noon re-
cess interyened before this could be
voted on. and on returning in the
afternoon. Mr. Elsasser withdrew his
motion, in order 10 avoid another
partisan fight"
Representative Lamb, who was
chairman OF the joint committee, is
now a farmer but formerly was an
expert accountant. The democratic
members OF the committee. Represen.
tative Henry Book of David Chy and
Senator Charles J. Thielen OF Humph-
phrey. refused TO sign the report.
They requested 10 days additional
time in order TO draw up minority
report This was granted in the
house but refused in the senate, which
adopted the majority report signed
By Mr.. Lamb. Senator Perry Red Of
Henderson. Senator George y. Hast
ings Of Grant and Representative X.
f. Harrington Of University Place.
Report Refutes Charges.
Referring to Governor Bryan's
charges that the state was bankrupt
wheas~he took office. the report says:
An alleged deficit Of $2.6l2.272 was
arrived at in the former report by
setting up the supposed deficits OF
the state and failing TO take into
account the revenues coming into the
state treasurer to meet outstanding
obligations.
1T is a simple matter to show any
business concern IN poor financial
standing by taking into account it's
obligations and omitting from its
financial statement its assets and
this is precisely what the former re-
port did in seeking to show a deficit
at the beginning of this calendar year.
OF this alleged $4,000, 900 deficit.
81 .O96. .92S was supposed TO be in the
department OF public works for road
contracts
A detailed statement from the de-
partment Of public works is pre-
sented showing that there is now due
from the federal government for fed
eral aid road building I,622.43l.
When thet fiscal year closes. this de-
partment will have surplus Of $685.
15s In computing state finances. the
governor left out of account all the
money which the state will receive
from the Emitted States treasury.
Money in Banks.
The committee finds that on Janu-
ary /, 1928. when the governor claim
cd the general fund was overdrawn
s815 .964. the state of Nebraska had
trurn TO Page Two. Column Two)