The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-05-17
THERE'SNOSHORTAGE
How Wilson Made Up 3 De-
ficiency in Cash.
TWO STARTLING REVELATIONS,
CommlssioneP Ven Brocklin 10 Provoked
g Use Some Awful Words-Every-
thing to BE Explained.

short time before W. E. Wilson ceased
to be superintendent Of the wsser works
he declined TO approve the account OF r.
coggins because ne had. under : contract
TO hau. pipe, charged TOO high : pnee. rs
Mr. Wilson considered. Coggins has.
nevertheless. insisted upon the correctness
OF his charge, and the board OF pubic
works yesterday met in order TO go over
the items. After some discussion n was
resolved to submit question involving
construction OF the contract 10 Corpora
ton Counsel Donwor.h. and the board &C
cordingly adjourned until afternoon. The
opinion was then received, the conse-
quence OF which was that the board con-
CURED in Wilson's decision and referred
the whole matter to the city council.
The proceedings were Of the most pro-
sale character, but Mr.. Wilson cnliyened
them by his presence and succeeded IN
evoking from Commissioner Van Brockiin
some very lurid flashes OF forked profanity.
Wilson was asked to give an expiana-
ton of the $s736 bill for which Ainsworth
e. Dunn had offered receipt. He said
the explanation was very simple. On Two
occasions the cashier was short s.. Wilson
and the cashier hunted all over the books
for several evenings trying to discover the
shortage, but failed. Wilson had new
lock put on the cash drawer and new
combination on the safe. Nv hen the oiit
for 1916 came in took $40 out OF 1t and
made up the shortage, by putsng IL "a the
cash drawer. had the remaining si'.oo
put to construction account"
Supt. Caliigan looked the matter up ana
found that although the bill was dated
February Is, the credit was dated Febru-
airy 1. The bookkeeper in his search had
no. gone further back than the 18th.
II did not make any record of tho $40.
said Mr.. Wilson; II consider that the
men in the Office worked hard enough
without having money stolen and having
to make it up. do not accuse any man,
but have kept a watch. and l have an
idea where the money went"
lis the man still in the Office that you
thought Off" asked Mr.. Wolfe.
"Yes, he is" replied Wilson. II have
nothing further to say; have explained
that bill. can explain everything. Wv
ian read from the old books. and the
cashier posted to the new books. and that
accounts for the discrepancies. 1t is quite
natural to make little mistakes in post
ing."
of the entire controversy between himself
and the board. Mr.. Wilson proceeded to
express his disapproval Of the course OF
Mr.. Van Brocklin.
II don't like Mr.. Van Brocklin's offer
ing inducements TO Douglas Young to
color the books up to suit the occasion"
he remarked sternIy.
THAT'S a lie," retorted Van Brockiin,
II don't think Young told you that"
After a sharp rattle Of expietive artillery.
Van Brocklin is understood to have made
the startling remark that Young said he
had been approached with = proposition to
whitewash the reports.
"He never got any proposition from
me-" said Wilson; and he then repeated
that Young said Van Brocklin had ap-
preached him.
A clap OF thunder followed. "He's .
- Internal liar" roared Van Brock
lin. and the officials came running in
thinking that Ronald had returned and
was telling stories. Things were begin
ming to assume Brainerd- Blackstone as
pee. when Wolfe intcrposed the parl;a-
mentary cooler--'move We adjourn" to
which Jesse Cochran sententiousiy added.
'.untii 2:30 O'clock" SO as to insure no
further meeting until after . temper as
suaging dinner.
twas manifest that Wilson's insinua-
tions were directed at M. Vivian. Super
intenden. Calligan said that not only was
he assured that Vivian was man of ex-
celient reputation. but Wilson when he
left commended him to Caliigan in very
complimentary terms.