The sun., 1873-09-01
THE FIRE DEPARrmEsr FRAUD.

what Hugh MoLnughiiu Thinks about II.
Fire Commissioner Hugh Mclaughlin
said "I did not know Rodman personally
until after his appointment TO the Trust Com
pany. He did not dabble With politics, and 40
we had slight occasion Tor intercourse. Ho i'm
pressed me very favoraby a business man,
and | was pleased with his selection for Trea-
uror OF the Long Island Club. was never more
surprised than when informed Of the defalca-
ton. Three weeks before 1t became known
rumnrs Of trouble IN the Trust Company were in
circulation. questioned Rodman about them.
IIc assured me that they were wholly inbound
ed and I had such confidence in him that did
him.
itcporter DO you know OF anv defaleation or
deficiency In the accounts OF the Board OF City
Worksi
Mr.. McLaughIin-I do not.
TiE TAX OFFICE.
Reporter What about the deficiency In the
Mr. McIauahIin-- That le very easily explained.
When the Board ct Estimate made up the tax
to The Tax Onioe. IL thev faii to collect any
part Of II, the short amount IL simply de-
Gciency ana not "a defalcatiOn. i have been
assured that an examination OF the accounts
will not show anything more criminal.
The following letter was tnen read TO Mr.. NC
Laughlin:
CosrrnorLxr's orytc,.
BRooKLNS, Aug. 81. iss. !
sn: have reli,ble information In my possession,
scub escsee SHS eshs dass o city encs ~
consisting Of interest the deposts OF the Fire De
lie CITY Treasury You viii save trouble. and ooIigc
yours respectfully, r, A. scnRoIDsR, Cosptroilcf.
Reporter Have you heard Of any deficiency in
the Fire Department FUND.-
Mr.. McLauRhlln-There YOU are into me.
Schroeder was too fast with that letter. lie
before writing such a letter. All | have ~ say
about II Is that the bookkeepers are working On
the accounts, and the city will get every cent
Rcroftcr- you ever draw interest for your
own benefit ON city funds in your hands OH
callyr
MIR McLaughlin-I never deposited to my own
account or received interest upon department
funds in any shape. IL was my inyariable GUS
tom to draw the amounts needed for salaries
and expenses monthly according to a strict esti-
mate. IL was dsbursed as soon AZ received.
now RoDnAS sw1NDLED THK CLUB.
Reporter-To return to the relations Of Rod
man with the Long Island Club, what moved
him TO resign the treasurershipi
Mr.. Mclaughn-He resigned about year ago
when the trouble arose that culminated In a
/ change Of direction. The club had been running
| into debt for some time before that. The mem
| bership was larger and more money was being
spent, and yet expenses exceeded receipts. The
T fact excited comment, and committee Of In
/ vcstiRatun was appointed. l was chairiuesi. and
/ kodmans accounts were called for. Ne pres
ented many items for which no vouchers were
] furnished | insisted that the vouchers should he
/ produced. A majority OF the committee seemed
/ To- think that Rodman's character was a SUM-
J cient guarantee. and proposed to return re-
port Of all right. | refused to sign such report.
/ In the light OF new ucNelupments II II credible
p that Rodman swludied the club as we'll as the
I citv. ard the fact that Treasurer Chauncy has
] contrived H. pay oil some back deOts with
| smaller receipts looks the same way. My mo
| tive for Insisting upon the production Of the
/ vouchers was simpN business precaution.
/ then had no suspicion that the deficiency was
] OF his procurement.