Milford chronicle., 1933-12-22

end of the State is doing" she de-
clared.
She told of meeting in which Mr.
Layton was requested not to pay
for work in food orders. He com
mented that the commissioners did
not know anything about relief in
Sussex county, she stated, and he
felt he was doing the best for them.
Mrs. Gawthrop told of Mr.. Layton
asking her where cotton goods were
purchased by the New Castle unit.
The witness said she replied that
she purchased it from Wilmington
stores, but bought the bulk from
Bancroft's. She said Mr.. Layton said
he preferred not to do business with
Bancroft's, and would buy else
where.
She related having seen a voucher
for over 800 for seeds.
She said she had no doubt that
Mr.. Layton was in the business of
Layton and Layton. She told of ref
erences he had made concerning his
business.
She quoted Mr.. Layton as saying,
"You can always beat me at figures,
but I'll attend to relief"
Mrs. Gawthrop told of a letter
from Grace Abbott, chief of the
Children's Bureau in Washington,
containing a complaint. 1t was the
same one to which Mr.. Ackart had
previously referred, but she cor
rected his statement about it con-
cerning a Seaford family. She said
she thought it was about some peo-
pie in Delmar.
Mrs. Gawthrop testified that Mr..
Kelso and Mr.. Stillwell. Federal in
vestigators, who were in this State,
felt the commission had proceeded
in the proper manner concerning its
attitude in the Sussex county condi-
tion.
She said if she had it to do over
again, she would proceed in such a
manner again.
"All of us very much disliked to
bring discredit to relief giving in
the State" she stated. She pointed to
the difficulties which can arise from
such conditions.
She said all the members of the
commission had an opportunity to
read the report before signing it and
submitting it to Governor Buck.
When Mrs. Gawthrop completed
her Testimony, Attorney General
Green asked that Mr.. Thought be
recalled.
Mr. Green asked Mr.. Thought to
refer to one of the three check
books which had been turned over
to him by Mr.. Layton. He then told
him to look up the stub for the
check, marked No. 6613-W in the
special work check book.
Mr.. Thought said it read, "Septem-
ber 20, 1898; Treasurer of State of
Delaware; food orders given for
work relief and paid by Dover,
$6,917.71."
Earlier in the afternoon Senator
Latchum asked Mr.. Smith if the
commission had not violated the
rules and laws to make up the Sus-
sex Overruns by allowing additional
appropriations and not knowing for
what the money had been expended.
Mr.. Smith replied in the negative,
stating Mr.. Layton committed the
violations. Mr.. Layton had submitted
budgets, but never in writing, he
testified.
did you sign the report without
knowing what was in it?" President
Pro Tenn Simonton asked.
Everybody knew what was in the
report" Mr.. Smith replied He said
the members had a week to study
it.
Mr.. Smith revealed that it was
necessary to send the sheriff of Sus-
sex county to obtain the records for
Mr.. Layton's successor. All the rec
ords have not been received yet, the
witness testified.
Replying to Senator Griffenberg,
Mr.. Smith said he had no reason
now, to feel he made a mistake in
signing the report submitted to Gov
ernor Buck.
you knew as fact that Landreth
L. Layton increased the volume of
his private business" Mr.. Bennett
asked.
That's right" replied Mr.. Smith.
In answer to further questions,
Mr.. Smith said Mr.. Layton rectified
some mistakes, "but we never got to
first base on the seed question. He
walked out on us at a meeting late
in August"
The State Temporary Emergency
Relief Commission received a re-
fund of some $4,000 from Landreth
L. Layton, the Sussex county relief
administrator, to cover all pay
ments of food orders for work re-
lief, the special Legislative investi-