The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-02-02
THE Gas SHORTAGE.
The Investigating Committee Hears
Further Ie-timonY on the subject.


The special committee appointed by the
City Council TO investigate the affairs OF
the Gas Works. held called meeting
last evening at o'clock in the City Hall.
The following members were present:
Messrs. Gunst (chairman). Bloomberg.
Cottrell. King. Snead and Woody. City
Attorney Meredith. Superintendent
Knowles. OF the City Gas-Works. and
Colonel William l.. Smith, the expert
accountant, were also present.
The Chair stated that the first business
10 be considered was the request OF Mr..
Lawless that Mr.. Grimes be permitted
to appear before the committee by coun-
sci.
Mr. Joseph T. Lawless stated that he
appeared az counsel for Mr.. Grimes. and
desired to he heard i'm regard to the ma
terial discrepancy I'm regard to the bushels
OF shells sold. as entered on the books
of the Auditors office and on the books
of the City Gas-Works.
Mr.. Meredith the City Attorney. stated
that he had had an examination made OF
the different books which showed that
there had been a discrepancy OF only
about $50 between the shells delivered and
those paid for. and that might only be
a clerical error; and he did not hesitate
10 say that the condition Of the books
was such that no one should be charged
with fraud. AS far as the books showed.
Mr.. Grimes would not he charged with
anything in regard TO the delivering Of
shells which he had paid for.
MR.. WARREN'S TESTIMONY.
Mr.. T.. j. Warren. City Auditor. was
called to the stand and sworn. He was
asked by MIR. Meredith the City Attor-
ney. why the Gas-House books were at
one time kept I'm the Auditors office.
The witness explained that this was done
while Mr.. Turpin was Auditor. and eX-
planned how and 10y whom the books
were kept during that time. The items
i'm the books were based upon the appro-
priations by the Council and the expen-
ditures. as presented by the Superintend-
ent Of the Gas-Works. Mr.. Warren
stated that he had never seen any origi-
nal books The ordinances only pro-
vided that the Superintendent should
make weekly reports TO the Auditor,
but they did not stipulate how the books
Of the Gas-Works should have been kept.
The reason why these books were kept at
the office Of the Auditor. was as mat
ter OF convenience 10 Mr.. Langhorne. the
book-keeper who also had a position i'm
the Auditors office. As far as the wit
ness could learn. the book-keeper al that
time performed MS duties I'm accordance
with the provisions Of the ordinances.
Mr.. Warren. being further questioned,
said that he was hook-keeper for the
Gas-Works about year. he did not
think IT was necessary for him to see
or 10 have access TO the original books.
Mr.. King. 1T appears. Mr.. Warren.
that during the time that you had charge
Of those books there occurred a dis
crepancy OF something like 5000. Could
you not have known Of that discrepancy
N YOU had had access or have seen the
original books?'
81 think could. sir"
The witness said that he knew nothing
about the difference in the coke account
OF the City Mission, 10 which Mr. Mere
dith. the late book keeper. made reference
at a recent meeting of the committee. Mr..
Warren said that he had not visited the
passwords more than a dozen times since
he had been in the employ Of the city. He
was asked by Mr. Snead II he believed
from the ordinances referring to the Au-
ditor's office that his duty was 10
stay at his Office and not 20 look into the
affairs Of the departments. Mr.. Warren
stated that he did unless he should have
had reason TO believe that something was
wrong in the departments. or some one OF
them.
Mr. J. +. Meredith. late book-keeper at
the gas-works. asked Mr.. Warren how
he accounted for the discrepancy Of SIC. 600
I'm the account Of the City Mission. for
which warrants were drawn without
being signed by the chairman Of the Com
mttee on Light. when there was no ac-
count on the gas-house books.
Mr.. Warren stated that Mr. Meredith
was hook-keeper at the gas-works at that
time and should know as much about that
matter at the Auditor did. and he. there
fore. declined to answer the question.
MR. BOUDAR EXPLAINS
Mr. Boudar. however being called upon.
made detailed examination Of the mat
ter. He said that many years ago the
council used TO appropriate so many thou
sand bushels Of coke a year TO the City
Mission. but subsequently. IN order 10
make a proper showing OF the earnings
OF the works. the Council appropriated
money to the Mission. The coke account.
Mr. Boudar stated further. settled itself.
There was a discovery. said the witness,
OF about $500 between his statement and
that Of Col. Smith 10 the committee.
which was due 10 this coke account. This.
however should not be charged 10 Mr..
Adams. The City-Mission coke should
come under the general head Of coke ac-
counts. but such had not been the case.
Mr. Boudar explained that the gas works
got every dollar OF the money appropriate
ed FOR coke for the City Mission
The witness WINS further questioned
regarding the system OF bookkeeping al
the works and Mr. Williams OF the Au-
ditor's office was placed on the stand.
but could shed no new light on the sub
tect under investigation. and the commit
tee went into executive session
Inc mo. L.
ton OF features TO be embraced In the
report to the Council. but the body adj
journed without having concluded its
work
called meeting Of the committee will
be held next Friday at s r "