Medford mail tribune., June 03, 1921, Page 3, Image 3

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irKDFORD MATL TRTT.TTNE, MKDFOTIT), OKKfiOX. FIoDAY, .Tiryc :?, lf)2l
GAAND JURY RECOMMENDS !
COMPLETE REORGANIZATION !
JACKSON' IM. GOVERNMENT
Honmnble V. M. Calkins. JuclKp of
the Circuit Court,
The grand jury fur thu May term
beKa to suhmit tile following report
to you, in Addition to the indi. tnir-nts,
vhich have heretofore been pre
sented: '
r i In yleiv of the disturbed state of
mind of -tlie puhiie, mid the -pressure
of public opinion, tiiKcther with
charges and evidence that have come
before this grand jury, we have felt in
duty bound to Im-wliKute cnreCully
the iiffaira of the county. The Jury
has labored hard to this end ami th
findings in the following report are
fully BuhMantiated by the law and the
evidence.
? Sheriff's Office.
We find tMt the sheriff i icr"
larly turning over to thu treasurer,
funds collected by his office and
complying with the law in thin re
spect. .; The collection of delinquent, unse
cured personal taxes shows every evi
dence of neglect in past years, for
which there seems to be no good ex
cuse. The 1!H3 list shows $11,20i.33
s outlawed by limitation, utter cotlect-'-
im $966.67 by special effort The
lists for 13H, mm, j-ilG, 1917( 19,8
and 1919 amount to $3G.48l.03, with
, out penaltlen and interest which Will
increase the amount by on estimated
fiO per cent. The county court has
,. issued an order to the sheriff to pro
ceed with the collection of all lists at
once, and has agreed to furnish the
4j necessary holp to this end. The sher
i; Iff has assured the jury that dolin
t( quont personal taxes havo been placed
against real property in all cases
where real property exists.
Treasurer's Office.
The treasurer is conducting his af
fairs in accordance with the law and
i la to bo commended for his firm
stand in that regard. Ho Is keeping
deposits with the banks of the county
v well protected by security.
; Ho is within his rights In declining
to accept turn overs of tax monies
from the sheriff without accompany
ing distribution sheets which show
the accounts to which the monies
belong. Hut as tho preparation of
these distribution sheets Is a matter
of considerable work, tho sheriff is
compelled to accumulate large sums
- in his tax collector's bank account
during the two tax paying periods,
awaiting tho preparation of the
' sheets. As a result, tho county loses
its 2 per cent interest on the treas
:uror's dally balances and tho monies
'.have not the protection of the treas
- urer's security bonds, and the secuii
4 ties required of the banks upon coun
ty treasurers' deposits. While the in
terest on daily balances lost in this
wy will amount to only $500 to
$1000 annually, tho lack of security
, to protect tho large sums of money in
the tax collector's bank accounts is a
matter of much importance. Wo have
carefully gone, over this matter with
i tho treasurer, the sheriff, tho county
court and believo that an arrange
ment agrceablo to all has been made,
which will permit the sheriff to remit
luily to tho treusnror. V
Assessor's Office.
The assessor appears to have his
affairs in excellent shape.
The matter of valuation of timber
was discussed thoroughly with tho as
sessor, and tho jury finds decided op
portunity for Improvement here. Wo
find that the assessor cruised a small
area of timber at a cost of $500 and
increased tho assessed valuation $300,-
uvu, wnicn means an annual Increase
of income of $6000 at u twenty mil)
tax rate.
The assessor estimates that a cruise
- of all tho timber in the county, with
the usual maps, would J cost $50,000
f - 'to $100,000, and that tho resulting re-
classification and valuation would In
crease the assessed valuulion $2,000.
000. This would mean an annual In
come of $-10,000 nt a twenty-mill rate
; ( after paying for tho cruise. This is
; i . good business and the grand jury
(. recommends this move very emphati
'.') cally. Some letters from other, cotini
ties in tho state which have had their
timber cruised will lie published later,
It should bo stated that a cruise once
made becomes a permanent record,
which can be corrected yearly as tho
timber ig removed or destroyed by
fire.
Comity Clerk's Office.
This office a'ppears' to bo in good
condition. The jury has investigated
complaints of the clerk's absence from
his office beyond n reasonable
amount, and accepts his statement
that outside matters unexpectedly
compelled him to be. away last sum
mer during part of business h'burn,
which he made up in part by working
out of hours with no loss of effic
iency in the conduct of his office: He
states that a similar condition will not
reoccur. ' '.
'': ' County Court. 1
The jury has compared the 1 9 1 S,
1919 and . 1920 county budgets and
finds the increase In tax rate due
mostly to increase in state and school
taxes. As these matters are decided
by the voters, the county officials
have no control. The advance in la
bor nnd materials during these years
accounts' for an Increase in the coun
ty's Internal expenses, which has hern
.-i within reason. -While thero is prob
ability of smaller state and school
taxes, and that tho expense of con
ducting the internal county affairs
1 may be slightly less than nt present,
a material reduction In tho tax niie
will depend upon the results from
special elections soon to be held.
It is the belief of this jury .that
the county court Is conducting the
county affairs in a careful and busi
nesslike manner. We have reached
this conclusion only after careful In-
nuirv. having In mind the many criti
i isms of their conduc t of the county
affairs.
: District Attorney.
This jury believes that the county's
Interests which come under the ju
- rtsdictlon of the district attorney are
In-ing well protected. The work im
posed by the Hank of Jacksonville
cases has been very heavy and we
believe that no effort has been spared
to bkiiig the guilty ones to Justice und
to protect no one.
This jury has inspected the county
poor farm and finds the property in
I excellent condition. The su?crln ten-
dent and county officials are evidently
maintaining this worthy institution in
an efficient manner and making a
pleasant home for our less fortunate
citizens.
This jury has Inspected the county
jail and recommends that all win
dows of the male ward be protected
by steel screens to cover the on tire
opening, similar to those which cover
some of the lower tier windows. Also
that all gratings be sealed securely
to the walls of tho buildings.
The courthouse and grounds are in
creditable condition. The annex across
the street will add a very serviceable
structure at a low cost. Tho pro
posed vault in the rear of tho court
house will provide security for records
at a reasonable expense If It can be
built at tho estimated figure.
In accordance with an order issued
by your honorable self, this jury is
pleased to report for the public's in
terest, that John Harleycorn and fam
ily, so long confined in the padded
cell of tho jail, have been rotnrned to
mother earth, thus removing a men
ace and a source of many ruhiors. .
Tho indictments returned in tho
:ank of Jacksonville case cover nil
the criminal acta in connection with
tho bank's failure that havo been pre
sented to tho jury. There remain to
be investigated the liability of tho
bank directors and tho state bank ex
aminers, which will hive to be de
ferred until the next term of court,
owing to the rress of work upon
tho district attorney.
Tho county had on deposit in the
bank at the time of failure the fol
lowing: County Treasurer $107,737.50
County clerk (3 accounts) 1 , 1 r 4 . 4 1
County sheriff (2 accts.) 2,U2.8
County assessor . 23.05
Total $111,807.85
These accounts we're secured by the
treasurer's bond of $20,000 and ne-
curities against deposit of ' $11,000,
which havo been collected. The
clerk's and sheriff's bonds cover their
deposits. They formed the basis of a
bill introduced in tho last legislature
by our senator and representative to
free them from the liability. Tho bill
was withdrawn when it was whown
that the bill would meet the gov
ernor's' veto. It will bo tho duty of
the county court to proceed against
these bonds unless legislation inter
venes to take tho matter out of their
hands. Of the amount In the clerk's
account $992.10 is state game and
fish licenses which Is 90 per cent due
the stale and accountable direct to
tho state by the clerk. This lessens
the amount of the county's claim by
that sum.
Tho assessor withdrew his account
a few days before the bank's failure,
except the small balance represented
by uncredited deposits, which the as
sessor has made good to the county.
Former Treasurer nianutl.
Tho treasurer's deposits began to
pass the amount of security and to
exceed an amount reasonable for the
resources of tho bank before the mid
dle of, 1917, which would suggest that
there was ample warning of irregu
larity so long beforo the failure that
those entrusted with the management
of the county affairs, might have de
tected and have dealt with the mat
ter far enough back as to have pre
vented the great loss to the county.
Tho last legislature passed laws,
which will to somo extent, prevent a
similar occurance. by requiring the
treasurer to report monthly to the
county court balances on deposit in
the several banks, and the amount fit
security protecting the deposits. This
will place the information squarely
before the county court. It is perti
nent to state that the slat utes read
that no county or state official other
than the treasurer i criminally liable
for tho loss of tho treasurer's funds,
unless it caii be showiPthat such of
ficial is a party to an illegal act,
which results in a loss.
County Court F.xonerntetl.
In this case, no evidence has been
produced to show liability on the part
of any county official, but wo do
know that monthly statements from
the banks holding treasurer's: de
posits, setting forth tho dally balances
and Interest thereon were a part of
tho papers t limed over to the county
clerk by the treasurer and filed with
out presenting thPm to tho county
court for review. ' .
Tho auditor's report for 1919
wherein-tho deposits in the Hanli of
Jacksonville showed about $0-1, 00(1 on
December 31, 1919, was accepted, ap
proved and filed by the county court
Juno 2, 1920. '
This jury is of tho opinion that the
annual audit should bo ordered by
and made to tho grand jury, and then
made public. While all records are
accessable to a grand Jury, tho exami
nation of tho audit should bo specifi
cally a part of their duties and if
made to them, it would become so.
Legislation would bo necessary to ac
complish this.
County tioveriiment Faulty.
It is the opinion of this Jury that
tho present method of county govern
ment is faulty. Asl the county offic
ials are elective, thero seems to be no
authority to remedy a possible lack
of co-ordination between officials.
Irregular action upon tho part of one
official 1 cannot bo corrected by
another. Just why county govern
ment is so organized when a city,
a stato and the nation have authori
tlvo heads is possibly explainable, but
to this Jury the question is unanswer
ed. Whether tho county court should
be made responsible for tho lawful
and businesslike conduct of the coun
ty's affairs, or whether a slnglo head
should bo entrusted with this duty,, is
a matter of opinion.
Under .the present laws, tho only
method of procedure ngainst an of-
MID -SEASON MILLINERY ADJUSTMENT!
A Phenominal Regrouping, Readjusting and Repricing of Trimmed
and Tailored Hats, Georgette and Crepe de Chine Blouses'
THURSDAY - FRIDAY - SATURDAY
AT THE VANITY SHOP
TRIMMED AND
TAILORED HATS
BLOUSES '
$9 Q ck nn
$3.95 $5.00 v"
$9.95 $13.95 $5.95 $12.95
Pattern Hats and Blouses
FORMERLY UP TO $21 .50
This Millinery adjustment has been inaugurated to keep stocks new, fresh and up-to-the-minute.
' i
The most startling and value-giving of all mid -season millinery events!! Come early find frfi
convinced! '
THE VANITY SHOP
Cor. E. Main and Bartlett Sts. MISS LOUNSBURY, Milliner
Phone J 37.
fending1' of ficial soems to be by grand
jury action, which Is both uncertain
of prompt action and dependent upon
the official botnfr reported to tho Jury.
At tho best, a grand jury, can pnly in
vestigate, recommend and report their
findings, trusting to public opinion to
coinpcl correction. Criminal acts are
of course, a matter of the prosecut
ing attorney and tho grand Jury, but
by correcting wrong doing' and' un
businesslike methods before they lead
to criminal acts, would save the ex.
tremo penalty to the- Individual and
the public. Tho. Bank of Jacksonville
is the" best ovldenco of this point,
for even if tho treasurer's overdeposits
in that hnnk Had been detected by
another county officer, tho law pro
vided no possible method for stop
ping further deposits and compelling
correction of tho error.
It is tho hope of this Jury that
somo organized body of representa
tive citizens will Interest themselves
In an attempt to rocast tho entiro mut
ter of county government by legisla
tive action.
Pending such action, wo betlevo it
desirable that the grand Jury bo used
by the county officials as a clearing
house fur Investigation nnd publicity
where, matters need attention beyond
tho powers of tho county officials;
and further that succeeding grami
juries take upon themselves the duty
of careful Inquiry Into county affairs
to protect tho public Interests.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN W. BLDKN,
Foreman of tho Grand Jury.
Juno 2, 1!I21. '
liOST OH M IS LAID
Policy No. 256691. Issued by the Pqnn
Mutual Life Insurance Comjmny, on
tho life of Oeorgq N. Anderson, The
finder will plcnso return It to tho
undersigned. An application has
been madp for tho Issuing of a du,
pllcuto. ,
CEO. N. ANDERSON
S44 E. Main, Asiiiand. Ore.
HEM
iAFFCCTtONS OF ANY Of THt
NtftVIS IKPlMOfO AT It JPIftC
BY A 9UOUJXATCD VCATCMA
ioT. Chiropractic
SIB?
m iiiuyc lire
CC-Wim.
AdjiisftjientS
a-
DIt. A. lUUlKI.CND, Ctilmim-.ctor;
Suite 4 and 6 Sparta Bids., Main an
nivoreide. Pbonea: OHIce t. ft, i
S2. . . vtl
The Golden Rule Store for Your Money's Worth Every Time
and All the Time
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Nrtf fV. nriVp nn a ffiw of the manv articles we carrv. Everv article in our store sold on very close margin of profit. Volume of business is
what we are after, not large profits. Compare these prices on the merchandise listed in this ad with all others, and see where your doJla-4.
count the most for quality merchandise. . , . 1
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Men's Army Shoes
Big shipment.
Sold last October at $9.45; to
day's price
$5.00 -
1 ..j . T
Men's Heavy Work Shoes"
$3.35 to $4.85
Other Work Shoes to
$7.00
Men's Work, Shirts
at
75c, 89c to $1.00
Look
A big bargain in Toilet Soap
10c bar
Men's Dress Shirts
. , Soft collar . ,
at
$1.00
Sewing Silk Thread .
at spool .'
13c ,
Ladies' Vests
Summer weight priced at 15,
25c, 30c, 45 to 50c
Trico Silk
in Old Rose, Black, Navy,
Burnt Orange, Copen, 36
inches wide. Price, yard
$2.25
Boys' Army Shoes
Same quality as Men's, priced
at in sizes 9 to 13U at $3.45
Sizes 1 to 2 at.... f $3-85
Sizes 2i2 to 6 at...L $4,20
t Men Khaki Shirts
at . :
. $1.35 to $2.50
Palmolive Soap
. , at, bar
8c
Dres Shirts
French cuff,
, No collar at
$1.50 up
. i.
Ginghams
Fancy Plaid and Stripe
at yard
19c and 23c
Silks; ;
Large range of colors in Crepe
de Chene Silks 'at yard
$1.65 to $1.80
Ladies' Summer Union
; Suits '
in Bodice Top, priced at
50c to 90c
Extra size, tube top Union
Suits at
f 7, ,70c, 90c, 1.00
Sport Oxfords , 1 , Sport Oxford Men's Summer
One Lot Ladies' White Canvass Ladieg, mite Nubuck Black Elk Skin w k shoet ; :1.
Leather trimmed , . Patent Leather trimmed, La- Priced at : '
JPt . dies' Sport Oxfords at $3.00, $3.90 '
C ; Bib Overalls ., ,. $5.85 in 8 inch top
Heaviest weight Union Made, " , . .; $4.75 to $4.85
,.at , . ' Ladies White Canvas
$1.45 Oxfords ' Dress Socks
7. 1 r Wolt Soles, Military Heels, at .rtj cinHnn v
J. & P. Coats at spool, , - r . . j:
6c, . That Big Bargain in , ror ?c :
i T o u. Men's Lisle Dress Hose ; r
Ladies Suits . , Men's Sport Shirts
Good assortment of Ladies - An . P1 r TO t
Suits from $26.50 to $75.00. 25c, 35c, 40c w Plain Blue at.
Sport Suits of All Wool Jersey , . Ladies' Blouse. insiS&S
on 117 Kn A god assortment of Crepe de , $1.00 to $1.40 '.;
$22.00 to $37.50 Chen0 and Georgette Blouse, ' w-yf v !
Georgette Crepe in all the new shades. Price Ladie.' Presses,
in Silk... Good asortment col- from C)Qn. 4KnA " Perky'. Peggy Porch Dress
ors. ... Priced at, yard 3q.3U toqia.uo madJ of Jap cre. & C00TS.
$L45 a Men's All Wool Suits wSf&en
American Lady Corsets in fancy patterns, Priced at frJ.Ja to lu-au'
Priced at ; $30.00 to $40.00 wish Silk
$2.25 to $750 Percales suitable for Men's Shirts; 36
. Men's Caps'; ; A Big Leader in inch wde. Price, yar
Priced at ' 36 inch light patterns at a
$1.00, $1.90 to $2.10 ' ' 16c ;: $1.25 :
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Golden Rule Mercantile Company
On North Central The Busy Street
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