King County Hires Outside Auditors to Chase 'Dark Hints' in the Treasury

Ever since the beginning of the protracted struggle over the bond of County Treasurer J. T. Maple there have been dark hints of irregularities in the county treasury. At times there have been open accusations of looting of county funds. While these rumors have been for the most part considered without foundation, they have been repeated so often and so emphatically that the county commissioners resolved to examine the books and the treasurer's office so thoroughly that hereafter any accusation would be absolutely without foundation. Accordingly, yesterday the commissioners appointed F. Christman, D. W. Bowen and Addison Smith a committee to do the work. In taking this action they again came into conflict with Prosecuting Attorney Hastie, who claimed the right to name one member of the committee but was ignored by the board.

Chairman Gasch moved that the books, accounts and records of the office for the period beginning January 1, 1891, and ending February 1, 1896, be examined, and that three competent expert accountants be appointed. The motion was seconded by Heaton and carried unanimously. The compensation of the experts was fixed at a per diem rate for Christman and for Bowen and Smith. The commissioners refused to be guided by the prosecuting attorney, who expressed a wish to name one member of the committee.

Commissioner Gasch explained that Christman was chosen as a competent outside man, wholly free of influence by the so-called "courthouse gang." He came with endorsements from leading Seattle citizens and a record of having examined Whatcom's books to the satisfaction of the city council. He had also been auditor of Whatcom county in 1894 and had never been connected with King county.

Bowen had done previous work examining King county accounts, including the books of ex-County Clerk Spencer and present County Clerk Gordon. Smith was the late Populist candidate for county auditor. The books of all county officers for the last two terms, covering four years ending January 14, 1896, had been examined except for a full and complete examination of the treasurer's office. The cost was estimated at about $2,000 or $2,500 and the work expected to take at least a year.

Prosecuting Attorney Hastie indignantly objected. He said he had no vote in the matter and had wanted J. A. Paine, an expert he knew and trusted, to represent his part of the work. He had nothing against Christman personally, he said, but wanted men who were known and could be depended on. He warned that the investigation must not be called a case of whitewash. "It should be done in such a manner that when completed, the taxpayers will feel that the work has been done up to the date set forth in the report," he said.