The times., 1897-04-05
SUED FOR AN ACCOUNTING
Serious Charges Against Treasurer
Brown, of Ocean Grove.
Is Said to Have Grown Rich by
Taking Illegal Commissions at
the Association's Expense.

New York, April 4-For twenty th rec
years David II. Brown was treasurer OF the
Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association
and member Of the Methodist Episcopal
Church of that most reputable community
No one suspected his integrity, TIC ugh
people sometimes wondered :.J The evil
dences OF his prosperity which they plainly
saw and for which they could find no
explan alton.
1t has just come to light That on March
A papers Were filed III the court OF chancery
charging Mr.. Brown with practical dis
honesty. The complaint is long and fun of
legal phrascology. Briefly, ii charges as
follows:
That very early in the history of the
association MI Brown was elected treas
urer and from that time down to 1879 all
the revenues Of the association were aid
over to him and were deposited in
bank in Brooklyn That in that year
the system OF raying bills was cha nged
by recurring the same 10 be audited by tie
president and secretary. That in 1859
O new system OF issuing to the treasurer
q written order or warrant for the Iay-
ment of bills was adopted But during the
whole Of the incunihency Of Brown, flom
the date of his election down to 1896,
the funds were practically under his con
troll and management, and subject to be
drawn from their place OF deposit on his
check alone.
The complaint charges that it has been
his custom TO retain all vouchers, and to
keep possession of all the checks with
which payments were made That hc Still
has all the vouchers and cancelled checks,
thus preventing the association from
properly auditing and examining its ac-
counts with him.
Early in 1896. 1t continues, 1t was dis
covered that there had been some irrcgu-
larities in the office of the treasurer
That an investigation was made and it
was discovered that the treasurer had
been receiving commissions from those
with whom the .asSocia ton was dealing.
For tents, luInheU. machinery, electrical
apparatus and supplies, asphalt sewer pipe
and ice and other good wares ana mer-
chandise of great value in the aggregate,
large commissions, sometimes running rs
high as 90 per cent, have been paddy those
supplying theni who have charged the
association accordingly
1t says that the committee in charge Of
the investigation called upon David II.
Brown and demanded full statement
and accounting. They also called upon
him to delver'up all his books and papers
in order that they might discover the
amount of money which he had illegally
received. But IwhiIe The aged treasurer
admitted, the complaint says, that he had
been guilty OF receiving Illegal commits
sious, he refused to give up the documents
In the case. II
The concluding portion of the complaint
asks that the former treasurer, who was
removed from office as soon as it was
made certain that he was unfit to fill it,
be compelled to account for the money he
has obtained in this way. Thus far no
answer has been received. But the legal
days of grace are about up, and if Mr
Brown does not come To time quickly the
Officers Of the association promise to take
stringent measures