New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-07-27
A CITIZENS INVESTIGATION.
THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT TO BE
LOOKED INTO
ITS MANAGEMENT TO BE EXAMINED AS IT DOES
LEXOW COMMrTTEE-sOME THINGS WHICH
MAY NEED INVESTIGATION.

|
MAY NEED INVESTIGATION.
| 1t has been learned that a committee of citizens
has started a movement to look into the conduct
and history of the Financial Department OF the
city government It is said thai Of the rea-
sons which prompted this inquiry the fact that
| this department is not included within the scope
OF the Lexow Committee; and while sensational
frauds may not he unearthed certain things may be
discovered which may need explanation
\ story printed yesterday afternoon under the
caption. Have Millions Been solen?' saying that
an investigation OF the finance department of the
city would take place in the near future; that an
Investigating committee had been selected and
would act under the authority OF provision in
the consolidation act empowering tax-paying cit-
zens to institute inquiry into the practices and
I methods of any department of the municipal gov
eminent. The names Of the committee were men
toned. They were Judson Lawson. G. W Stokes.
Orlando Smith. John W. Stevens. William Henry
Arnoux. Henry c. Robinson. and A. Willis Light
bourn. The story contained this significant para
graph:
The air has been darIened for years with om-
nous charges as 10 the unfaithfulness and dishon-
allegations Will principally relate 10 Irregular and
illegal issues OF bonds Affecting. II Is eStlmated
over s000eOOo0
The story goes on TO say that the successive Con-
troers from the time of Connolly would be in
VOWED in this investigation, they had pract-
caly indorsed tho methods of their successors.
The article was shown Controller Fitch az
he was leaving his office yesterday afternoon. He
read Il over and said
You might say for me that If my one expresses
the slightest desire-no matter who he isto in
vestigate the workings Of the department. every
book in my office will he placed at his disposal 1t
does not matter whether the motive is sincere or
insncere. l will be glad have an Investigation at
any time. because am confident that there can
be nothing wrong anywhere"
II. G. Robinson. of the citizens committee
last evening at his home No. 2.oS Fifth
ave He was Controller Fitchs unsuccessful op-
ponent last fall the Republican ticket He said
This investigation Is in the nature Of sensation
alsm, but simply effort 10 set at rest charges
| of mismanagement frequently made against the
Controllers Department. or 10 remedy the results
Of whatever acknowledgement or fraud any control
Ter may have been guilty 81. don't think the II
vestcation WIFI touch the regimes OF Controller
Fitch the present incumbent his predecessor.
Mr. Myers Mr. Fitch himself welcomes the lnves-
tigation and Will do all in his power 70 help u> The
period which the investigation Will cover extends
from about 1872 1882 beginning say with control
Ter Green and the late John Kelly The matters
which will be investigated chiefly the amounts
Of interest paid by the city. the Sinking Fund and
whatever coupons there may be left
Where DO you expec, to ind frauds" the re-
porter asked.
We'll. the financial statements issued by the
Controllers Office" answered Mr. Robinson. are
indefinite, and any irregularities 'onli 10
easily covered mp. ! studied them considerably
last fall. and there certain things that could
stand explanation. However. the clerks and audi
tors in charge could probably explain these things
thoroughly. II everything e correct Tainmany
Hall Will get due credit for It's just admn.sirA-
ton from a number OF citizens oppos"4 to ~
The credit OF the city. you know. has been huI'
hv CHARGES against the Controllers d"l'ariW"n'
and AZ investigation will restore the Ciys cr"dli
II nothing - found against tn" department ~
there is something rotten I'm Denmark u cnnho'
the direction Of JuGg- ~ th' supreme CONT anu
would pay rs own expenses
What prompted this action on TIE par ~ me
commiiteeV' asked the reporter
IT was thought advisable. ans""r"i NJ hop,
inson TO investigate the department. when MoA1
not be touched BY the LexoN Commute" nrr,
again there T. a movement on foot 20 c1nsohoIf"
ali is.ues 81 CITY bonds Into one 4 consois
Mr Robinson added that Richard A - 'rf~ ~"
present Deputy Controller. hlG isei"i the yearly
statement FOR several 'pni-oiers nc 49,
clerk IN TIA; department" continued Mr. Robinson.
under Tweed. and sooh after hls faIl go' me
uosl,ion he now holds so Controller. mind you.
ever goes back OF Mr.. storrs's statement"
NJ Robinson said that som" ~ inc ora 'es'',
rnony introduced at the nyestigai.on ""n'i Dc -
q startling nature
Assembiyrnan Jud~on Lawson. another q M com
rn,ite. was found al his home. No 1S West End
ave He was not liberty. he said 20 divulge any
Tho city debt" he said. 'is said 20 De slw"''"
We may find II double that by discovering perhaps
frau1ulent bonds the interest % which may hH'e
been paid In a way % defy detection The citizens
Committee has net for some months In the - riS
OF the Board OF Trade.