The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-17
NOT CONSTRUED LITERALLY
The Council Committee Hears Control
Ter Woollen ExpOund the Charter.
His Interpretation Does Not Meet the Views Of
COuncilmen Pearson and Cooper-Exhaust-
i've Discussion of Fees and Clerks.



sued in the city controllers office consisted
rather of a discussion of facts already made
public than the development OF any new
evidence. Controller Woollen was there
with three large envelopes. which looked
as though they might contain formidable
documents, and Councilman Rassnann,
chairman of the ways and means
committee. who had gone over
the whole subject with Mr.. Woollen
on Tuesday, was at his elbow.
Coupcilmen Pearson and Cooper were
there. but Austin and Gauss. the other two
Democratic members of the committee.
we're not there though Mr.. Gauss came IN
before the session was over. Mr.. Trusler
also came in when the session was about
half finished. Sam Perrott was on hand.
and ''comrade" Harrington came wander
ing in at the close learn if he could still
hold his Job as vender of dog licenses.
All the way through there was q persist
ent effort upon the part of Mr. Woollen to
argue against something of which ne had
not been accused. He either could not or
would not, get over the idea that an in
quiry as to whether his office had been
conducted according TO methods laid down
ing to develop dishonesty upon his part
At the beginning he stated that he was
there ready to answer all questions. as he
had nothing TO conceal and was heeled at
every point"
Mr.. Pearson stated bis POSITION at the be-
ginning and had occasion to do it several
times during the session when Mr.. Woollen
diverted the discussion to his personal in
tegrity. Mr.. Pearson said he was not there
seeking political capital. or for the purpose
of making buncombe. Neither he nor his
colleagues had any doubt OF the integrity
had performed his duties con-
scientiously. This inquiry, as he
understood il. was to determine two ques-
tions: Whether the methods LAID down by
the charter for the collection of certain
Incense fees had been followed or deviated
from, and whether the controller had any
authority fol the employment of extra
clerks. So far as figures and money were
concerned be believed all the committee
were willing to let that pass. There was
no reason to believe that it had not all
been honestly handled.
Mr.. Rassmann said his position was well
understood. These explanations being
over the resolution was read. and Mr..
Cooper asked what method had been fol-
lowed in collecting dog-iieenses; Mr.
Woollen had a copy of the dog-license
ordinance. which he read. providing that
the city clerk shall receive 81 for each dog
license. and account to the treasurer for IS
cents of each such fee making q settlement
aud paying over the money every day. re-
tanning Is cents. az clerks fee, upon each
license.
THAT TROUBLESOME FEE.
"Now. how do you think that license
ought to be paidr asked Mr.. Woollen.
II think the W hole dollar should be paid
to the treasurer" replied Mr.. Pearson.
But what would you do with that p
cents feeT
That is wiped out by the charter. There
are no more clerks fees. The ordinance
makes dog license one dollar Of which 25
cents was given to the clerk and % cents to
the CITY. As clerks fees are wiped out the
whole fee should 20 direct to the treasury"
But the city attorney says not" said MIR.
Woollen. Il wish he were here. He said
that take the place of the clerk. and that
ALL clerks fees become controllers fees"
Il claim" replied Mr.. Pearson, that
there are no controllers fees and that all
license fees should go into the treasury as
SUCH"
THE money is all there said Mr.. Wool
There is no question about that" re-
piled Mr.. Pearson. What we are getting
at is whether the charter has been obeyed."
and he pointed out the clause In Section "a.
requiring the con trOller Ito issue all city
licenses of every nature W hatever upon the
presentation anu surrender of the receipt
OF the treasurer showing the payment
of the license tee, and to collect controllers
fees fixed by ordnance" There were,
he said. no controllers fees fixed by ordi-
nance which the controller could collect.
Mr.. WO0llen said the charter was con-
hictipg. and he read clause of Seq
tfon 10, general prohibItory provision
applying to all departments. f0rbidding
any officer or employe from receiving for bis
own use any fees or perquIsites. Mr.. Wool
len read the following portion of q SEN
tence: And all moneys receiv ed
for licenses or permits shall be paid into
the treasury weekly" He MAIN
tanned that clause as plainly gave him the
right to collect license fees as the other
forbade it. but suppose the other is the
one to be followed" he continued. Il am
heeled on either side. You surely
would not claim that tho treas
urer must receive this money
personally. He has right to delegate
somebody to receive it. | should inst like
you To glance at this" and he produced the
following letter. which he had received
from Treasurer Osterman. and which is
dated May -, 1891:
sir-FOr the purpose of saving trouble and
facilitating business you will obge me if you
Will receive froni persons applying for dog
license the license fee, IS cent?. keeping an ac-
count of the same. and hand me tine money in
bulk
1t is possible though not probable, that
this letter was written within the last
week. The theory of the charter is tnat.the
treasurer and the controller shall act as
counter checks upon each other in order
of the other. Ii was surely not contem-
plated that either Office should vitiate this
by delegating It's work TO the other.
A PROFITABLE CONVENIENCE.
Mr.. Pearson and Sir. Cooper both asked
if this was not such convenience" as
would permit the treasurer to get along
with less clerks whom he would have to
pay out of his own salary. while
entailing additional expense of clerk
hire on the city. Mr.. Woollen re-
piled that It was as easy for him to
collect dollar as quarter. and Mr.. Pear
SOD again expressed his belief that the
the whole dollar upstairs in the treas
urer's office. Again Mr. Woolleu read the
dog-license ordinance and said he had fol-
lowed the method there prescri bed, but
Mr.. Pearson held that the method pre-
scribed by the charter should have prec-
edenoe. An interview with Mr.. Wppllen
IN an afternoon newspaper IN which he is
quoted as admitting that he had not fol-
lowed the charter closely, was brought up,
but Mr.. NOOllsn said he would hardly be-
foolish enough to lie that way when the
books and records showed that he had fol-
lowed the charter.
The committee then passed TO the second
subject OF inquiry, aud Mr.. W oollen quoted
Section Is of the charter as giving him
authority to employ extra clerks The
clause reads: The officer or officers at the
head of any department may appoint and
remove any of his clerks and assistants