The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-05-10
CHARITY NEEDS CORRECTION.

The investigation Into the Books OF the
Department OF Charities and COrrcc-
tion-3crious Charges Made by Presi-
dent Laimbeer Against Chief Clerk
Lawrencc-What Will he Developed
Mayor Havemeyor Threatens = Second
investigation.
Regarding the presentment OF the Grand Jury
concerning the Department OF Public Charities and
Correction, about which Commissioner Stern or
Tered resolution begging the Mayor to cause an
Investigation to be made, there was no new de-
veopment yesterday excepting the following note
from Mayor Havemeyer to the President Of the De-
partment OF Charities and Correction
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT., Crrr HALL,l
To VILLA. LArssxxs, PRESIDENT DErARTAKsr or Pus-
sa-I received your communication Of yesterday with
having been previously called e the Of the
into the matters th9Eep rfTTsd f. very
AS this Is what Mr. Stern's resolution calls Tor, it
is very probable that the Commissioners are salts
fed, though it is said that they need not have
given themselves the trouble to call Tor the exami
nation, which would have been made in any case.
This examination regards merely the allegation
that the expenditures Of the department have
been wasteful and extravagant In the matter OF
purchases. 1t Is very possible, however. that the
investigation into the books, which is going on at
present. and which has been going on for some
days. may reveal state of affairs which Will maze
any further, or second investigation entirely un-
necessary Tor 1t Is certain that the accounts OF
the department. according to the statement Of one
OF Its members. are somewhat mixed, and that
whether the Iault hes In the Commissioners them
selves or In their sub0rdinate6 a state OF AFFAIRS
apv Wc w hap al oe e 70 great
Yesterday reporter Of the HERALD called at the
department building in Third avenue and Eleventh
Mr q m fha tlnratn f In nna Hd
was the only Commissioner present He did not
appear TO receive the reporters visit with any ex-
being Wiling 10 give any information in his posses
sion. The following Interview then took place -
y p6 dSss IN a
should like to know from You what has been de-
veleped BY the examination which has been going
on Tor some days into the accounts OF your depart
mentf ta
Mr.. LAHBEER-I can only speak in general way
ana have just come down stairs from session
with the accountants who nave been investigating
the books. These are sent here from the Depart
ment OF Accounts. It 10 really the commissioners
OF Accounts who are making the investigation,
and at our own request
REPORTER-Had you any reaso- to suspect that
your books were not properly keptf
Mr.. LAINBEER-We had and we have not heen
mistaken. THIS examination was made necessary
repeatedly demanded balance sheet from Mr..
Lawrence, the Chiel Clerk, and have not been able
to get one. Time after time II has been asked for,
and time alter time have been put OF with some
evasive answer. Complaints have constantly been
made by our chief clerk on the Island OF the way
IN which things were done up stairs and / have
long been convinced that things were not right.
we found Mr.. Lawrence here wnen we came. and
were assured snat ne knew how to conduct the
business better than any one else, having
Sucn an intimate acquaintance with 1t. But his
system instead OF helping US has only involved us
in all sorts Of complications, so that we were
be made. we cannot tell yet what full examina-
| ton Will reveal, but already we have discovered
many inaccuracies and mistakes
| REPORTER-Are these mistakes Intentional or
otherwise
| MIR. LAIMBEER-I don't care to say, but simply
content myself with using the term inaccuracies.
These are already too numerous to allow conceal
ment and I'd0n't know what we shall find out be.
lore we get through.
"ls Mr.. Lawrence stu In his POSITION" asked
the reporter.
s.He is,n said Mr. Laimbeer, s'and will remain so
until the result OF the investigation is fully settled
| The b0Okkeepers under Mr.. Lawrence are also to
blame Tor following his instructions, when they
must have known them to be wrong; but or course
the main responsibility tails upon the CHIEF Clerk
himself. At all events, thorough investigation
was needed, and VIII be made. We, OF course,
could not but know Of this. We had confidence In
Mr.. Lawrence; and though we did not ike the
not think matters were as bad as they are found
to be. The investigation Will not be ended for
several days yet."
During portion OF this conversation one OF the
accountants who Is examining the books OF the
department was present and corrobOrated all Mr..
Laimbeer said as to the condition OF the books OIL
the Department..