The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-03
The FIRE COMMISSIONERS.
How the Board Has Kept a Special Salk
Account. \
THEY EXPENDED The CIrY'S YphSi
In violation OF Law for kefresnme"
President John n. Frischkorn Explains
the CATION Of the Au-
Jitor Brought Out the fscts'

A T,.nes man having learned on tho
street that the discussion Of the proposeu
"cornnisslonv amendments TO the kieh-
mond city charter had 'ocasioned Cruz
cism Of the action OF certain OF the
present commissions unfavorable to their
MANAGEMENT, undertook TO md out what
was the foundation for the rumor. Win
out going into all of the details and par
tlcuars of how he arrived at his informa-
ton. he can make the following state
ment upon unquestionable authority;
BY an accident II was brought TO the
attention OF the Auditors ONCE that
money was being paid TO the Board OF
Fire Commissioners and retained by them'
which should follow the usual course ana
reach the Treasurer's office through inc
Auditors warrant.
THE CUSTOM FOR YEARS.
Following this clew. it was developed
that for several years past, perhaps aur-
ing the entire existence OF the fire Son'-
mission. Il has been the custom OF inc
commissioners. under authority Win
which they are vested. but which Is no
OF Council, to sell material belonging 10
the city and TO receive the proceeds ana
disburse them at their own discretion, m
stead of turning the proceeds over TO the
city Treasurer, according 10 Jaw; that
the amount of these receipts has In the
aggregate exceeded the sum OF >o,VD'
that the disbursements have been made
partly in the establishment OF nre-aiarms'
both private and public. and that they
hate also been used TO pay for the Trips
of representatives OF the commission, the
superintendent and the secretary. 10 va
rous points, and that these disburss-
ments have also been made for refresh
ments and even for funeral norai ae-
signs.
IL was contended, so the reporter learn
ed bv one OF the commissioners that
this receipt ana disbursement OF money
bv the commissioners was justnabie, put
he was confronted with the opinion OF the
civ Attorney, given the COMMISSIONERS
some years back. and on file in their ONCE
that their only authority over money
received was TO turn IL over TO the CITY
Treasurer.
RETURNED THE MONEY.
The commissioners claim that they are
entitled To great credit for the manner
i'm which they have used TINS money
having been enabled by furnishing priva,s
alarm boxes to make sufficient psont 10
extend the hre-arm system to con-
siderable extent free of cost to the city.
There Is appropriated over Sli.Voo outs
side of the pay-rols which brings tne
amount to about $4,000 per annum Tor
the support OF the fire department. OUT
OF this Si7.0uo the commits sioners were
enabled to build during the year 1870.
on Broad street
The investigation of the Auditor re-
suited i'm the fire commissioners again
applying TO the city Attorney, and re-
cciying from him an opinion that 1t way
their duty TO turn over the money re-
ceived by them TO the city Treasurer
Since this action was taken the fire COM
sioners have turned their money over TO
the Treasurer. together with balance
which they had to their credit In bank,
where they kept special account.
MIR. FRISCHKORN EXPLAINS.
"The above is substantially true" said
President John H. Frschkorn. of the |,
Board of Fire Commissioners, when tho
above was shown him last night, but
there are some slight inaccuracies In tho
general statement. The Board OF Fire
Commissioners think that IL Is the bright
est lfdlui' OF their administration tnal
they have developed such a fund by
skillful business management that never
before attended the control OF the fire
department A complete record has been
kept OF all receipts and disbursements.
even down TO ten-cent items. The FIRE
commissioners are charged for stabling
their horses for night. Any little elec-
trical cOntrivancc for their private use
they have been compelled TO pay. The
record will show this besides the fund
expended for horses-9O per cent being
spent that way-hose-wagons and gem
cral repairs TO buildings
The City Attorney decided that the
Board Of Fire Commissioners had a per-
feet right 10 erect private alarm boxes
for factories etc. and for the establish
ment OF gOngs for the call men, and
generally to make any disposition they
might determine upon from such funds.
The foregoing represent a large portion OF
the amount received from the fund In
question.
GOOD SHOWING.
The city Attorney further stated. when
tho matter was submitted 20 him. thot IL
furnished magnificent showing for a
private corporation. but was technically
"A violation OF the law.
There has b5en no effort 10 conceal
anything: but on the contrary. the Board
OF Fire Commissioners had special pride
in discovering such a source OF revenue,
which heretofore had never been turned
TO account and which they fully believed
the law authorized. though differing in
part with the City Attorney. Every re-
ceipt and every disbursement, accom-
panied by every voucher. Is accessible and
in the hands OF the chairman OF the FL
nance Committee. We could have easily
destroyed all those records and vouchers.
and no one would ever have known any
OF our transactions, but they have been
kept for just such an emergency as this.
I'm conclusion" said Mr.. Frischkorn,
we court the most searching investiga-
tion. and We believe that there is not
another public department in the country
can make a showing approaching the de-
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