Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1892-10-12
Erapd Discovered in Another
City Department
WHEN WILL 1T END'
D,Uuty Watsrmaster Hughes FINDS
Himself in a Very Bad Box.
PROSECUTIONS THREATENED
,.,.tess sinnner In whicb water
master Harvey Conducts tho
AFFAIR. Of Iiiu Office.

Hero IA another sensation for the
,,,bllc. Irregularities have been dis
,oyered ia one more OF the city depart
mep,s aud honest people and respect
,bIe citizens are wondering when ana
where they will end. Defalcations,
deficits and shortages under Liberal
mls.rule have been numerous indeed,
but n has been fondly hoped that there
would be cessation OF these methods
40 peculiar to the present ndmins'ra'
lion. But, like Tennyson's brook, they
threaten TO run ON forever, or ut least
until the public funds are exhausted or
the party dies the ignominious death
that surely awaits II.
For months damaging insinuations
and rumors have been golr4y the rounds
in municipal circles as 10 the manner
ofcouducting business In the various
departments. Among others the
walermaster's department has been
promincntly mentioned. Some time
apo Councilman Rich introduced u
resolution into the City Council CALI
ing for an investigation Of MIR. Har-
vey's pay role.
The matter was referred TO the COM
mi,tce on Jordan canal and irrigation
wiihlnstructions TO report their findings
to the city council. The delay that is
proyerbial In such cases followed and
for time 1. seemed that the matter
had beenshelved into everlasting slum-
Der. Finally the Democratic council
men succeeded In bringing the dis
graceful a ilair to an issue. "a majority
and minority report have been pre-
sented to the council. The former In
siguod By Messr8. Evans. Kerrick and
Beard.ley aud the Inter by Mr.. Hardy.
Tho majority report sets forth:
We. your committee on Jordan canal
and Irrigation, to whom was roiorrod tho
matter Of Investigating the pnyrolls ct
the wntcrm er's department ON August
2jrl last, beg leave to report ~ follows;
We have carefully examined tho pay
rolls OF juno, July ana August, ana, in
connection therowith, have had before
OF The employees, whose statements, bear
ing ron the matter Ia question, were re-
ducud 10 writing. Tho watormnster and
Deputy Matchmaker Charles l.. Hughes
also appeared before your committee and
we're sworn and examined.
Tho flr,t irreguiarlty discovered was In
the payroll of August 18th, when two OF
the mon were instructed 10y the deputy u
sign Tho payroll for moro money than
was due ih0m, and turn over the oxcoss
10 him, which thOy did.
In explanation Of this the deputy states
that the amounts drawn on August l2th
were to cover amounts due two other
men whose namos had boon omitted on
tho payroll Of July 10Th. Ailidayits wore
made showing where such work wa,
dono aud offered ~ proof by the mon
who received the money. Tho water.
master was not informed OF this tTansac
ton by his deputy until aitor this inyesti
gallon was ordered.
In further examining tho payrolls and
interrOgnting the mon wo discovered tive
instances whore mon wore on the payrolli
In other than their own names and signed
the rolls in such names.
one Of these makes affidavit to having
worked and WAS entitled TO tho amount
ovcrdrawn by another on August 18th
Tho same man has drawn his pay IL
July under another name.
Tho pay roll of July 10Th shows nl
timo OF twelve days NJ 81 per day Tor on,
man whdmakes affidavit that no did not
work NJ all during that time, tho amount,
81, boing paid TO the deputy wnier
master op an order purporting to b,
from the inan whose nGmo IN signed u
the pay roll by tho deputy per himself
All pay rolls are certified by III,
watofmastar as correct
We further learned that tho deputy wa
not In the habit of using proper time
booka and could produce mono of amy
KIND before Your committee, such names
and amounts due being given tho water
nhstnr 10 make up his payroll from
huch memoranda ~ ho alone can explain
Your committee has spent much time
and incurred considerable expense Ia
prosecuting this Investigation, and has
held several meetings In order 10 get tn,
necessary Information, and which hat
prevented us from making this ropor
earlier.
We have instructed the watermasior Il
dismiss the deputy and Withhold all pay
until the further order OF tho council.
In Wow Of the foregoing flnts youi
committee would recommend that any
employees issuing an order on the pay
master for wages due shall DO requisite,
70 satisfy tho paymastor as TO his Identity
before such order X paid.
We further submit tho following roso
luton and recommend that 1t DO adopted
Resolved, That tho finance committee
BIO and they AFRO hereby authorized 10 eN
amino into tho present system OF keeping
time In all the departments, and that the!
submit to the Council such recommends
lions 90 will in their Judgment provon
the possibility Of irregularities in maSinl
up puyrolls, and 10 report 20 the Counol
what books, records, etc., should DO 70
CURED to DO kept In the waiermastor'
0ilico.
The minority report from Mr.. Hard,
togd.:
cannot fully agree with the malorlt
report OF tho committee appointed To in
vestgnto the alleged dishonest conduC
NJ Deputy Wntormasler Hughes. III
evidence obtained shows that Hughes in
inced workmen employed undor him
obtain money from the city tor wor
which was mover done by them. III
money thus obtained was handed Owe