The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-06-11
MOBILES ACCOUNTS.
Did He Doctor His Books and Fool
Expert Jacobs 2

The statement made by Mr.. Guy, of the
finance committee, at the last meeting of
the City Council that DISCREPANCIES
amounting to shout $4,000 have already
been discovered in the accounts of ex City
Auditor w. a. Noble suggested an in
vestigation, and without going into de-
tails or carrying the investigation further
than the surface some very Significant
facts have come to light
In 1919 the Council deemed it advisable
to have the books of the city Offices
checked up and Mr.. L. B. jacobs was
employed to do this re-checking. His re.
port, which was submitted on July l.
1895, says:
with the exception Of the few clerical
errors mentioned in the foreg Ding re oort,
the annual statements submitted are cor
rect. attach copies of the same. re.
gard the system of accounts in the audi
TORS Office rs being II very good one, and
meets with the requirements of the de.
partment. The books are neatly kept;
the information is given in such detail
that it can lie verified Mt any time, and
the percentage of errors in the work has
been, as the report shows, quite small,
indeed. AS many OF the forms and meth.
DDS of accounting were introduced by the
auditor, it is certainly creditable to him
that am able to say J found the work in
such good shape.'
To guard against Irregularities, there
was resolution offered Ivy the finance
committee at the same time this report
was offered, that all warrants issued by
the auditor should be countersigned by
the clerk of the couLcil. This would pr.-
vent any mistake or inaccuracy, as the
clerk would in this manner be fully
aware of all amounts paid, and to whom
The Investigation now being conducted
by MIR. McClanahan reveals all discrepan.
cies prior to the date of Mr.. Jacobs re-
port, which showed everything in good
condition and correct. Tie present IN
vestigation was started from the time of
Mr. Jacobs report, but in order to make
the check complete it was found to be
necessary to go back to the comm ence-
ment of Mr.. Mobiles incumbency, and
accordingly the work of Mr.. Jacobs has
been gone over with the result as stated
above.
These facts are rather significant. Mr..
Mobiles friends claim that he IS giving
himself no concern and that they believe
the present investigation will not
amounJ to anything in the end Several
very perpleXing questions arise, namely;
Was Mr.. Jacobs re check accurate? it
certainly seemed so ut the time IL was
made and. If correct, which in all proba.
have been so doctored us to conceal any
irreg ularities. Then, if his report was
correct and there were no irregularities
why should the Council think it advisable
to have this same work re-checked?
The expert who is at work now has
made no statement publicly as to the re
suit of his Investigation and there is a
doubt entertained by many as to whether
or not any discrepancy of great amount
Will he reported. 1t is perfectly evident
to everyone concerned that in view of the
fact.of Mr.. Jacobs report showing every
thing in good condition and Mr.. MCLEAN
ahan's showing irregu)arities-amoun
to about 80, 300 in the same accounts that
there is something radically wrong some
where.
The Council should keep their eyes
open and as soon as the present check is
complete, should lay the blame where it
belongs. Mr.. Noble is mt present in
Pennsylvania.
We manufacture our own buggles and
sell direct to the user. Our prices range
from $40 to 800 Virginia Carriage Co.
FOUND DEAD IN BED.
Anderson, w. Va, June 10.(-SIE&ial.)
Ned Campbell, OF this place, was found
dead in his bed this morning.
REPRIEVE FOR DURRANT.
San Francisco, June .l0.-TheoAore
Durrant, the murderer of Blanche La.
mont, was repreved to Nay by Governor
Budd, who named July 0 rs the day the
sfF, Har. H.. III