The Vouchers That Frightened a Capital

Olympia, Wash., May 10 — Officialdom in the state of Washington is on the qui vive of apprehension, and the strain caused by the investigations under way and impending is having its effect upon officers who are in no way implicated or suspected, as well as those on whom the searchlight is being turned.

Just how far the inquiry now under way will go and just what the results will be cannot be foretold. But it is now as good as settled that the official affairs of the following officers, present and past, will be gone into:

Albert E. Mead, ex-governor; Sam H. Nichols, ex-secretary of state, whose resignation was forced last week; James H. Schively, insurance commissioner, whose resignation is momentarily expected; ex-State Treasurer Mills; O. W. Claussen, state auditor; John G. Lewis, state treasurer, who has demanded that his office be investigated in order that he may be cleared of any possible suspicion.

April Claims Held Up.

A thorough overhauling of the entire system of state vouchers has been begun. Every office frightened by the Hamilton expose has abandoned careless and slipshod methods of the past and is scrutinizing every bill. Hundreds of April claims and vouchers in the office of the state auditor are now being held up for careful examination and in many instances the auditors have demanded explanations before they will approve the bills.

The investigation of Mead and Mills is the outcome of a cursory examination of the new executive mansion.

In addition to an investigation in connection with the building of the governor's residence, Mead will also be asked to tell the committee why he allowed his name to be stamped on Hamilton's vouchers without making any effort to know whether the state was getting value received.

There is considerable speculation as to whether or not the office of State Land Commissioner Ross will be investigated. Ross was investigated two years ago and there was nothing of any great import discovered.