Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-04-10
WAR TO THE KNIFE
Seems to be a Slogan of Controller
and Finance Committee.
A MIGHTY LIVELY MEETING HELD,
With Controller Morrow Present to Take
Down the Minutes.
QUESTIONS OF YERACITY THROWN OUT

SOuNEO41OI SAOhAAS ~
ter's criticism of the former in his annual
report, published yesterday.
The Finance Committee met yesterday
afternoon in open session, with Controller
Morrow acting as clerk. After the routine
business was cleared away, the Controller s
report, which had been presented in Coun-
ellis on Monday, was taken up and read.
Mr.. Heating said:
81 presume the report was sent here for
consideration before publication. feel
that ANYTHING which emanates from city
department should be exceedingly carefully
gone over before it becomes q matter OF
record. In this instance 1 agree with the
wisdom of Council in sending it to us.
I am fresh in Councils and this is my first
meeting with the Finance Committee, still
have always kept up with the affairs of the
city. 1 honestly and positively disagree with the
Controller. First in the portion about out
standing taxes. do not think any man who
understands the rules of multiplication and ad-
dition but will agree with me. He says there
are $40, 900 outstanding taxes for lSS7-lSSS. If
those taxes had come in in 1889 there would
have been no deficiency in either year. The
deficiency in 1857 was S90.000 very much of it
the result of mIscalculation in the Controll-
ing Department of the city. The other was
not so great
'TfI as a taxpayer promptly pay my taxes
and another man don't, why should l be re-
taxed to make up the deficiency caused by his
non-payment? These taxes do come in. Up to
March 20 $50, 900 have been paid this year.
II agree with the Controller that the city
should make provision for the sinking funds,
but / can't understand why the city should gob-
bic in Sl0O 600 or $780, 900 more than the law de-
mands for the sinking fund, aor can see that
good policy or honesty requires it. From one
of the Controllers own sheets L see that last
year there was placed in the sinking funds SIS
S5l 2 over what the law requires.
THE CONTROLLER RESPONSIBLE.
"As for the land purchases, know nothing,
for was not in Councils last year. 1 hesitate
to vote for printing this report until better rea
sons are given for the statements in it. There
is no grave question between the Controller
and myself, and there never will be. But
think that in this case he has consulted with
persons who were not good advisers"
The Controller, who had been sitting quietly
under this attack, interrupted Mr.. Heating
with: 81 consulted nobody. The report is my
own"
Mr. Heating continued: "Then think you
guilty of grave offense to publicly say in your
report dishonest; for wipe away the garbage of
the report and you say the Finance Committee
is derelict in levying taxes that they knew
would not be collected. That the collections
are provided for is evidence that the money
was TO come in and it is not the fault of Coun-
ellis of the Finance Committee that it did not"
Chairman Magee called Mr. Ford to the
chair. He began his remarks by reading the
resolution under which the bonds were pur-
chased for the sinking fund, and then Quoted
from the Controllers report the remarks about
bond purchases. He then said:
Personally between the Controller and my
self as individuals there are no differences. In
our official capacities there are wide differ
ences in the way we look at some things. l
take exception TO this report as an unfair at
tack on the motives of this committee and an
unjust criticism. find nothing in the resolu-
ton authorizing the Controller to purchase
without consultation with the committee. 1
don't desire TO see this report printed without
something with it to show the position of this
committee"
MI. Magee read an extract from a factional
morning paper, which, he said, was remark
able. He gave brief history of the bond pur-
chases and then said that without any lnten-
tion to affront or offend the Controller, he de-
sired to read paper which he wanted made
part of the records of the committee. He then
read the following:
MR.. MAGEE'S VIEWS IN FULL.
The report of the Controller reflects upon the
members Of this committee in connection with in
vestment of sinking fund monies in a manner that
is not only unwarranted but untruthfui and un-
just The resolution authorizes the Controller to
make the investments, by and with the consent of
the Finance Committee. Notwithstanding this
without asking the consent of the committee, and
did not. as required by law. report such invest
ment to councils at their succeeding meeting. The
Finance Committee only interfered with the
Controller in his illegal action when they discov-
cred that he was paying out of the sinking funds
a greater premium than the bonds brought in the
open market. That the Finance Committee was
right in its action shown when, in response to
public advertisement bonds were bought at bet
ter rates than those purchased by the Controller.
Some of the bonds which the Controller agreed to
purchase at higher than the market rate were Of
fered to the committee at rate much higher than
those accepted by it. Some Of these same bonds
were subsequently purchased at the rate author
ized bv the committee, which was much better
for the interests of the city than if the Controller
The Joint resolution authorizing the investment
was offered in Councils by me- as Chairman or the
done by the committee in this connection, which
was not right and clearly within its powers and
law the Controller in this matter and l, for
one, do not propose that any responsibility shall
attach to me for any act of his which NAV be out
side the law, which, being within the law, does
not commend itself to my judgment as being
eWhen the reading was finished, Mr. Heating
moved that the clerk place the paper on the
records. The Controller said, Il will be happy
to do so without motion, especially as it calls
me liar"
Mr.. Keating said the Controller had no right
TO place such matter on the records without in
structions, and that he had never done So The
Controller said he had recorded like matter
and the records would show it. 1t might have
bGGu D64OI6 MI h6dlAuS was III OOunclls
whereupon Mr.. Heating characterized such
records as ancient history. Mr.. Morrow then
wanted the motion put. but Mr.. Magee refused
saying it was unnecessary.
ANOTHER LITTLE SPAT.
Mr. Magee asked what would be done with
the Controllers report. Mr.. MacGonigle
moved that it be received and filed, and was
told that some disposition had to be made of
it
Then Mr.. keating moved that further con-
sideration be postponed until the next meeting
Before putting the motion Mr.. Magee again
disclaimed any intention to offend the Con-
troller; he was only defending the integrity of
the committee.
Mr. Morrow replied that he wrote without
malice, and that Mr.. Magee put different con-
stTuction on the report.
Mr.. Magee wanted to know where there was
citizen who put any other construction on it
He would give the Controller the floor to make
statement. if he desired, any opportunity
he wished to add change or withdraw any part
of the report.
II will not withdraw anything" said the Con-
troller, and the motion to postpone was put
and carried; and the committee adjourned.
When the committee first met Mr. Magee, on
motion of Mr.. Heating, was elected chairman
and the first day of tine month at P. NJ fixed
for the meetings The first item was a warrant
for paying the Philadelphia Company 81 2l6 l3
chiefly of regulators. 1t was approved and
went over for investigation.
SHE GOT THE OTHER CHILD.