Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-20
WANT A CITY AUDIT.
Prominent Business Men
Ready to Subscribe the
Necessary Cash.
HAVE FAITH IN G0URLEY.
If he Is Elected Controller the Audit
Will Be Postponed.
DETERMINED TO INVESTIGATE
The Manner in Which Pittsburg's Finances
Have Been Handled.
HAVE FAITH IN GOURLEY.
DETERMINED TO INVESTIGATE
The Manner in Which Pittsburg's Finances
Have Been Handled
AN APPLICATION TO BE MADE TO COURT

a movement independent of Councils to
have the books of this city investigated has
been talked of good deal since similar
proceeding resulted so fruitfully IN ALLIE
gheny City, and it has now assumed dehn-
ite shape. The only thing which prevents
immediate action on the part of the busi-
ness men who are behind the scheme is that
they wish to see who will be nominated for
Controller. If the next Controller is like
ly to be man they can trust the reformerS
are willing to wait.
At least a dozen of the most considerable
business men in tire county have undertaken
TO supply the funds necessary to detray the
expenses of the audit, One of these men,
q manufacturer of wealth and influence told
THE DISPATCH reporter these facts some
DAYS ago, adding that while he would will
imClv paw his quota OF the cost he could not
permit his name to be used. Other business
men in this city and some in Allegheny
who are known to be in sympathy with the
auditing idea in Pittsburg, were also seen
and plenty of confirmation OF the original
report was found, although nobody con-
cerned cared to talk for publication.
Yesterday, however, a gentleman was
found who consented to the use of his name
in connection with an explanation of the
plan This was j. c. O'Donnell, the Coun-
Gilman of the Sixteenth ward, who was the
father OF the first attempt to have Councils
appoint an auditing committee.
Mr. O'Donnell said yesterday: ''When it
WAS found that the city's books would never
be investigated so far as Councils were con-
cerned a number of Pittsburgers prominent
in business and financial circles resolved to
league together to obtain an independent
audit These men have been ready at any
time to give their money literally to put
their scheme through, and while there has
been no money actually subscribed so far,
because it has not been needed, sufficient
could be raised for all practical purposes
tomorrow if there was a demand for it.
Our position is Just this: We want to see
who is going to be the next Controller be-
fore we take the first step. Candidly, if
Mr. Gourley gets the Endorsement of the
Democracy, which means his election, we
shall not stir till after he has had trial
We believe that Mr. Gourley is ready and
aDle 10 institute uSb SuCA AL tAdulInaAtoh
of the citv's affairs that they need, and if
he is elected we are morally certain that he
viii overhaul the city's books.
win Wait Until After Election.
"But if Mr.. Gourley does not secure the
Democratic Endorsement, and does not
seem likely to win, we may take a start
anv day independent of the election 1t is
probable, however, that we shall wait till
after the election anyhow, as IL is only
couple OF months away.
"What is your plan if you are compelled
to act, Mr. O'Donnell?"
ssThe courts will be appealed to. They
will be petitioned by proper number of
citizens of the highest standing to appoint
a commission to audit the citv's accounts.
The money to pay for the legal prelimi-
naries and the actual auditing OF the books,
and for inquiry generally, can be obtained
as soon as it is wanted There are lots of
men who have assured me Of their financial
support, " no cannot afford to figure actively
as promoters of the audit. Some people
think $50 600 is needed, but to me $4,000
seems enough to pay for everything. As
10 the legal side of our position, able
LAWYERS with whom we have taken counsel
tell us that the courts are bound to order
an audit upon the petition OF citizens and
taxpayers.
''What shall we find? Well, that's for
the auditors to answer. All 1 know is that
plenty OF queer things are known now.
Only last week prominent business man
wrote to me about an irregularity, which
reflected seriously upon one OF the city de-
psr.ments, The auditing has to be done,
and hope the people will let Mr.. Gourley
save us the trouble of attending to it,
Further investigation of the subject
showed that Mr.. O'Donnell is allied with
number OF influential business men, who
think as he does, and are merely waiting
till the succession to the Controliership is
settled.