Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-04

temper remained unruffled and he made an
emphatic denial. Mr.. Henricks then stated
that he believed a large number of the plates
had been accounted for. and he therefore
offered the following resolution:
WHEREAS. The examination and hearing
OF Joha Z. Murphy, eN-Chief of Police, as to
the issuance of vehicle licenses, and the re-
port of the auditors and the ordinances
bearing on the duties OF the auditing and
dlsbursing officers of the city, show very
loose methods in the duties OF those who
should supervise and control the receipt
and expenditure of money due the city, anC
Whereas, The Chief of Police was only the
subordinate OF the Mayor of the city whose
duty 1t was, by ordinance, to report unoer
cath each month the receipt of money ior
cclinquents on vehicle licenses, ard
Sweet Music in Murphy's Ears.
Whereas, The hearing develops the fact
that John r. Murphy, by sworn statements
of numerous witnesses. accounts for large
nun Der OF vehicle license plates, but, owing
to the fact that the stubs Of the vehicle
license books are lost, no full or final audnt
OF the same can be made; therefore, be 1t
Resolved. That the vehicle license matter,
together with all other matters charged or
appearing against John II. Murphy, be re-
felred to the CITY Solicitor TO make such
charges and in such place as the facts and
evidence will Justify. and, in the event OF the
facts and evidence not justifying any
charges, to report the reasons therefore 10
Council,
When the Chair asked for remarks no
cne responded. Mr.. Wertheimer asked o
question that was answered satisfactorily,
and then there was another painful silence.
Finally Mr.. Lewis broke the quietude. He
said: THE charges against Mr.. Murphy
are grave and serious. They involve the
disgrace of Mr. Murphy, his family and the
Councils that elected him. If this thing
goes 10 the City Solicitor, and it is found
that there are no grounds for prosecution. 1
will be pleased with the vindication. If it
goes TO court and he is vindicated. 1 will be
still better pleased. am in favor of this
resolution, and if there is any justice to be
had in the case, and the City Solicitor can
exc it out, let US have it at once.
The resolution was then put to vote
and adopted. 1t is the general belief that
the City Solicitor will not find enough
matter to warrant an investigation. The
committee, it is stated, referred the case to
the City Solicitor through fear that a cry of
whitewash would be raised if they passed
motion vindicating Mr. Murphy.
The sub-Auditing Committee took the
initial step yesterday afternoon to continue
the work commenced. AT meeting in the
afternoon, they decided to recon-
mend to the Auditing Committee that
vide for the city's books after March 1.
The present Auditors are being paid as ex-
pert accountants out of the contingent fund.
Need Money for the Auditors.
They get $3.50 q month, which is divided
between them. The plan proposed by the
sub-Auditing Committee is to have one
Auditor engaged to devote all
his time to watching the citv's
affairs The amount was placed at s., 800
because it was believed both Mr. McKirdy
and Mr.. Bigger will have to be retained for
some time after March 1. The request for
this appropriation, it is believed. will again
stir up the bitter feeling between auditing
and finance committees. The latter passes
on all appropriations and will probably
bring forth its principles of economy when
the request for g, 500 is made. Several of
the members stated last night that they
thought the amount was too large, 1t is
well known that the Finance Committee
consider the auditors intruders on their af
tars, and the opportunity for revenge by
shutting off the cash NAV prove too tempt
ing to ignore.
On the other hand the Auditing Commit
tee claims the benefit to the city will cover
many times the cost of auditing. At the
meeting of the subcommittee yesterday
little mutual admiration was INDUCED in
when Chairman Henricks reported the re-
turns from the market house for the last
three months They were as follows: No
vember, 81, 7S5 10; October, IS, 1i1 95; Sep
temher, s., 166 i3; total, S12,093 As. For
the entire 12 months of last wear the re-
ceipts amounted to So ,092 4S showing that
nearl;: four times as much money is received
from the market house since the audit was
commenced as before.
This shows" continued Mr.. Henricks
''that even if l cent is not collected the
work done bv the auditors will be of great
benefit to the city. The other departments
have, think. also increased their earnings,
and when things get in good working order
the returns will be still greater"
1t was decided by the subcommittee to
hold two meetings a month.
One at o'clock on the day of the regular
meeting of the Auditing Committee and the
other two weeks previous.
wyman Scored on Another Bill.
The money due the city bv the James G.
Wymau Odorless Excavating Company,
mentioned IN The DISPATCH several weeks
sgo, was brought up and the following re-
port made to the Auditing Committee:
ALLEGHENY, Pa, Dec. 8, 1891.
John Z. Henricks, ESQ.,, Chairman Auditing Com
SIR-Your auditors would respectfully re-
port that since our report of September so
relating to license for night soiling we have
discovered by reference TO an ordinance
passed August 90. 1S1S-M Ref. P. 390-that
persons engaged in the business are required
TO pay a license of S25 a year for each vehicle
or apparatus employed. We submit here
with statement that the James G. Wyman
Odorless Excavating Company are in
debted to the city of Allegheny for license
on nine outfits for night soiling for ii years
from 1881 TO 1891 inclusive, amounting in all
to the sum of 81 1850, less one license short
for each year, So leaving net balance of
Sl,760 due the city.
We also find that the Union Excavating
Comp ny are indebted to the city in the
sum Of $50, they having three outfits or ap-
paratus, and have paid license for bat one
for years 1855 to lSal inclusive. As requested,
license due from the James E. Wyman Odor-
less Excavating Company amounting to
ST. l20, fer vehicle license on tank and pump
wagons and buggy used in the business.
Also vehicle license due from the Union
Excavating Company. amounting to s252.
These charges for vehicle licenses do not
include the 10 per cert penalty for every 30
days the same remains unpaid, after June /
OF each year, as required by ordinance
ps ssed October IL, 1s77-M Ref, p 3s6-this
penalty alone, in the case Of the-James G.
Wvman Company, would amount to nearly
s7,oG0. Respectfully submitted.
T. W. BIGGER,
JNo. MCKIRpY,
Auditors.
The Union Excavating Company, it was
stated, has since been purchased by the
q Wvman Copnnopr