State Commission Accused of Squandering Funds on Political Jobs

The State Public Service Commission has closed its Seattle office and abandoned its work of valuing the local traction company, while the work of valuing the Washington Water Power company property in Spokane is also unfinished. The commission has spent the entire $80,000 appropriated by the legislature early this year for valuation work, without finishing any of the work it started at scattered points. Chairman J. H. Davis, of the appropriations committee of the legislature, has declared that the commission squandered its funds on scattered jobs in order to give work to Democratic politicians in various cities. The money is now gone, and the little work accomplished will be out of date before another legislature meets and allots more funds. Chairman Charles H. Reynolds has been criticized for opening the Seattle office, which was maintained for a short time and then abandoned for lack of funds. The entire purpose was said to be dictated by his desire to give employment for certain 'deserving Democrats,' and also to keep his own residence in Seattle instead of removing to the state capitol. The failure of the commission to accomplish anything with the funds expended, and the criticism of its members, bids fair to be a vital issue in the state campaign next year, when Governor Lister will naturally be held responsible for the work of his appointees.