Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-03-08
OUT EIGHT HUNDRED.
Still Another Shortage Is Discovered
Over in Allegheny.
Auditors Report Many Bills Of Katural
Gas Companies
WHICH HAVE NEVER BEEN COLLECTED


revelation in the methods Of conducting
municipal affairs across the river was
brought to light Mr.. Henricks read the
report of the experts submitted to
the sub-auditing committee In the after
noon and referred to the general committee.
1t showed the experts had found adiference
Of over $500 between the amounts received
by the Water Department and those turned
over to the city. The report was as follows:
Your auditors would respectfully report
that we continne our Investigation into the
accounts of the water department prior to
April /. 1891. and Notwithstanding the
scarcity OF books We find that of all the
scrap metal naturally accommodating in
works of the magnitude Of the city water
works but q very small portion OF the pro-
ceeds of scrap iron sold has found its way
into the city treasury.
Money Received and Never Turned In
We learned that some metal belonging to
the city had been sold to certain foundry
mon and scrap iron dealers and upon tnves-
tigation we found that Mr.. n. Kelly. No. l70s
Wharton street, Southside. had bought from
Edward Arm strong, superintendent OF
Water Department. and paid for
the amounts contained in statement
herewith. aegregating $3.50 IS. OF the six
ward Armstrong and the other two bills
we're receipted by his clerk, William Haz-
lett, and not a single dollar Of the money re-
ceived for saRaa has ever been turned into
Mr.. Martin Cannon, No. IC0 Lacock street,
CITY, had boughtsfr Edward Armstrong
and paid for scrap metal belonging to the
City Of Allegheny, amounting to $233 81.
None Of this money has been accounted for
to the city.
We also find that street ferrules for h ouse
connection have been sold in excess of
amounts reported to City Controller during
the period from April l. 1881, to April !. ls9l,
to the extent of $2s9. These several amounts
aggregate $s7S o.
The Collections Were Not Made.
In regard to Information desired under
resolution of Councils relative to natural
gas companies, will say that we examined
this matter, and find that at a meeting of the
Committee on Natural Gas. held July 2,
1886, on motion of Mr.. d. L. Patterson, q
minute was adopted instructing the Con-
troller to notify all natural gas companies to
pay their assessments as provided for in
section of general ordinance, or to stop
laying any more pipe until they comply
with ZANE.
Under date Of July 9 1886, the Controller
Company and the United Gas Fuel Company
as per instructions Of Committee on Natural
Gas. Under date Of December IL, lss6. bill
was rendered the United Gas Fuel Company
for the number of feet OF pipe laid under or
dinance, amounting to l0,4H feet at cents
per foot 1912 s..
Again at meeting of the Committee on
Natural Gas held May 25. 1888, on motion of
Mr.. D. 1. Patterson, minute was adopted
"that the Controller be instructed to notify
the natural gas companies to pay the pipeage
tax already accrued against them within q
certain time, and in the event of their failure
to comply with the notice, then to place the
claim in the hands of the City Solicitor Tor
collection"
Asked for but Not Insisted On.
In accordance with this instruction the
Controller. under date Of June 10, 1858, ad-
dressed communication to certain natural
gas companies, notifying them of the action
of the Committee on Natural Gas, and in
closing Herewith bill for the amounts sew
orally due by each of the following named
companies: United Gas Fuel Company,
1o.4l7 feet At cents, ssla 81; CHARTERS Valley
Gas Company. 81. 800 feet. 1854; Peonles
Natural Gas and Pipeage Company, 127 600
feet. $3.50: Baden Natural Gas Company,
9, 800 feet, $3.50; Allegheny Heating Company,
S. ,079.
None of these amounts have ever been
paid, nor does 1t appear that any further ac-
tion was ever taken to enforce the provis-
ions of the general ordinance relating to
pipeage tax.
AOui uuoAtoiS aiSo NCSiIo W say LidL n
communicati ton was addressed to Superin-
tendent Young, of the Allegheny
Heating Company. asking him to tur:
nish your committee with the
number of feet OF mains laid each year by
the heating company and those companies
under their control since April l, 1886, to
January !, 1892, but we have not been favored
with the information desired. However,
we obtained from the City Engineers office
sufficient data to enable us to prepare and
herewith submit for your consideration ex-
named companies, viz:
What Each Company Owes.
Peoples Natural Gas and Pipeage
Company.............. .$26, Cos 20
CHARTERS Valley Gas Company..... lLOSs 90
Allegheny Heating Company ...... $40 90
United Gas Fuel Company. ....... 2,2l7 GO
Baden Natural Gas Company.-..... 40 10
AggfegatlnS.......... ...$49,3lO 81
While on this subject your auditors would
advert to the fact that certain Councilmen
and city officials without mentioning
names) have been charged in the daily
with having received their gas
fuel gratis from corporations who had
obtained valuable grants from the
City Councils, implying that such
gratuities were. in the nature of
bribes either for the performance
or non-performance of their duties as Off
cials, and in the absence of specific 1nforma.
cilmen and city officials. and from the fact
that the city has not collected any income
from any natural gas company
doing business in the city or passing through |