The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-12
THE BROOKLYN TAX OFFICE DErALCATlOs.

Less Than $4,000 Of Default Money Disc
covered MissinS-What Comptroller
Schroeder Says OF the Investigate ton
The Ex-COllectors.
There was nothing new to report concerning
the Tax ONCE 'irregularities,n or detacation,
yesterday. The experts are plOdding steadily
through the musty records, and, recognizing the
wisdom OF multiplying the days OF labor that the
dollars of compensation may be greater. they are
not likely to be ready to report for some time to
come. The taxpayers will therefore have to re-
strain their reformation ardor 'get at the bot
tom OF the NATTER until such time as the wen
paid accountants shall elect 10 enlighten
them. The losses have been varlOusly
estimated at from $4,000 to ST. 900, 900. The latter
figures, will be seen by reference to the state.
ment OF the reform Comptroller, Mr.. Frederick
Schroeder, are excessively above the mark ana
visionary. In an interview nad yesterday with
q reporter Mr.. Schroeder said :--"Up to this
time there had not been $4,000 OF default money
discovered as'mssing. The statements published
Of exaggerated amounts were absurd and perfectly
wild, based entirely upon the imagination OF the
writer's. ] do not want to be held responsible"
said he, ''for any statements made concerning In
dividuals or amounts stated as having
been stolen have made no statements
ns nor nave any cSarHeS
individual with having accepted favors from any
Of the tax collectors" The Comptroller continued
the state OF AFFAIRS in the accounts OF the Tax ONCE
The OBJECT OF the Board OF Audit was to ascertain
how much money had been collected, and TO hold
those responsible whose duty was to pay it over
TO the treasurer. No investigation was now being
| paid that ought TO have been paid, but to ascer-
tain what amounts have been paid and were mis-
appropriated. II the successive tax collectors
had let or some parties Dy remlttng their default
and interest they had exercised what they claimed
as right. Everybody knew that 1t had been the
| CUSTOM he said, and 1t was admitted Oh all hands
doubted
without endless litigation, and indeed, he thought
1t extremely doubtful II even the tax collectors
followed by the collectors from time immemorlal
until within the past year, when the present sys-
| Four clerks mad been placed in the Tax Col
| lector's Office TO ascertain the amount OF uncOl.
These men had been at WORK at this business, on
and on, he said, ever since. The collectors are
required by the charter. he said, to make returns
lected taxes for 1872 and for each year previous.
This return mad not been made, and not knowing
what amount the Collector was liable Tor the
Auditor and Comptroller determined to investi-
gate that point first, and therefore deferred their
examination OF the accounts They had intended
to walt for tins return but, seeing no prospect OF
getting 1t. the Board Of Audit had finally taken up
the matter. The Comptroller was convinced That
II would be almost endless task for If they at
tempted to investigate all the accounts it would
be uncertain when they would get through It was
useless Tor them to go back beyond six years, as
the statute Of Limitations prevented recovery OF
Deficiencies which had occurred previous TO that
time.
The amount for default and interest collected
and paid into the City Treasury since September l.,
1872 was $685. 81 IS, and the amount for arrears
OF taxes $124,7 7s 49, making total of $685. 900 rs.
The amount OF default and interest for six years
would not exceed 100000 and 1t would be a
| tight of imagination to claim that IL was all
stolen. Ex-COllectOr Of Taxes, Mr. Isaac Badeau,
VINO was Deputy Collector under the admnistra-
ton of Mr. Edmund Driggs from 1900 to 1885, says
that III any frauds took place under my admins
tration know nothing about them. Ii had not
my name on his bond after lett office. Frauds OF
the kind asserted might have occurred without
the Collectors knowledge. The Collector could
not take in all the money himself" ExCOnector
briggs states that during his term OF ONCE the
AFFAIRS thereof were carried OH In as careful ana
correct mapIeT az any bank or business ollls.'