The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-08-25
FACTS OF SCRAP IRON DEAL
LAID BEFORE THE ASSEMBLY COM
MIT"TEE CALLED TO INVESTI-
GATE THE MATTER.
NO SECRET ABOUT THE FIFTY.
The Committee Makes a Show of
the EX-Street Commissioner
City Engineer ExOnerated.


committee appointed at the instigation
of Mayor DOran and the mayors sons
father-in-law, eX-Street Commissioner
Carroll, came to this conclusion yester-
day afternoon. The investigation of
Mr.. Rundlett and that scrap iron deal
is over with. Assemblymen Thompson,
Johnson and Craig conducted it. They
examined everybody who could posi-
bly, know anything concerning the
matter, including eX-Street Commits
sioner Carroll, who made an unsuccess-
full attempt to impeach Mr.. Rundlett's
testimony.
After taking all the testimony the
committee went into executive session.
AS there was not a scrap of evidence
to show that Mr.. Rundlett had appro-
priated the $50, or even touched it af-
ter locking it up in his desk, the COM
mtttee decided, as the result of half
an hours deliberation, to eXOnerate
the city engineer Of any criminal in
tent in withholding the money. The
committee IS of the opinion, however,
that it was careless of Mr.. Rundlett
to retain thdsmoney for such a period,
as he would not have been held re-
sponsible for the action of Comptroller
be credited to the general fund instead
Of the street, sewer and bridge main
tenance fund as directed by the coun-
Gil.
Mr.. Thompson was the chairman Of
the investigating committee, but Mr.
johnson conducted the investigation
Mr. Johnson has served on assembly
investigating committees before Messrs.
of in a political way. SO naturally the
latter deferred to their more experience
ed colleague. Mr.. Johnson's questions
were relevant competent and material.
In these respects they differed from
those put by Assemblyman Thompson
and eX-Street Commissioner Carroll
Bookkeeper Mulliken, of the city
tfeasurers office, was the first witness
In the absence from town of City Treas
ureI Horst. Mr.. Johnson asked MI
MuilIken if the city treasurer had re-
CciVed from Mr.. Rundlett any money
resulting from the sale by the latter,
OF certain scrap iron, which the coun-
Gil authorized him to sell Mr.. Multi
kens memory was faulty so he had to
go down stairs and refer to the books
Upon his return, he informed the COM
mittee that Mr.. Rundlett had paid into
the treasurerS Office 500 on Dec %
1896, and $50 on Aug. 3, 1897. Mr.. Multi
ken added that when Nh Rundlett
brought in the 800 he had said some
thing about having 1t placed to the
credit of the street, sewer and bridge
maintenance fund But the money
having been realized from an odd
source, Mr.. Mulliken, in the absence
OF Mr. Horst, had called on Comptroller
McCardy and asked his advice
Put it in the general fund" directed
nd
next day, Mr., Rundlett, according to
Mr.. Mulliken's recollection. dropped
into the treasurers office and remark
ed that he had more of that money
on hand, but that the city treasury
wouldn't get it until it was understood
that it would be put into the street,
sewer and bridge maintenance fund,
in accordance with the resolution Of
the common council.
Mi. Rundlett then explained WHY he
retained the remaining $50. AS a mat
ter of fact he said, the $50 was paid
in first on the sale of the scrap iron;
the remaining $1G0 Mr. Rundlett re-
ceived in the shape of a check on the
Allemannia bank, just a few days be-
fore the failure of that institution. Mr..
Rundlett thought that the check ought
to be caShed as soon as possible, and
so he turned it over first to the CITY
treasurer. At that time he assured
that official that he still retained a
balance of the money, and upon after
wards learning that the 500 had been
placed in the general fund, he declared
that he would hold onto the balance
and see if he couldn't get it placed to
the credit of the street, sewer and
bridge maintenance fund
Assemblyman. Thompson, who had
kept comparatively quiet up to this
time, emerged from his commemorative
mood q time nd
us it customary for a city officer
to retain money coming into his hands,
because another city officer refuses to
act as desired?"
Il don't know what the custom is
replied Mr. Rundlett. Il retained the
$50 to see if l couldn't succeed in get
ting it placed in the fund designated
by the council"
Mr.. Thompson looked as thoughtful
as possible and put this question:
"Then the $50 was not retained be-
cause you didn't know where it would
be placed?''
Il told you why 1 retained it."
rejoined Mr.. Rundlett 1T was be-
cause l hoped to get the money placed
in the street. sewer and bridge fund"
After Mr. Rundlett had explained
to Mr.. Thompson why he turned over
the 500 check on the Allemannia bank
first, though it was the second pay
scrap iron, and after he had related
the incident of his taking the $50 from
a drawer in his desk on Aug. 8 and
handing it over to the city treasurer,
the committee and the spectators were
RECALLED with a unique crOss-eXamina-
ton Of the city engineer, conducted
by the discharged chief street commits
, sioner, Carroll, otherwise known as
DOran's sons father-in-law.
I'd like to ask you, Mr.. Rundlett,
what you were doing on the morning
of Aug. 8 going toward the st. Paul
Savings bank queried Mr.. Carroll
with blood in his eye and a tremolo III
his voice.
Mr. Johnson-What is the object of
your question, Mr.. Carroll?
81 want to show that MI RundIett
drew that $50 he paid to the treasury
that day from his bank" retorted
Mr.. Carroll.
Mr.. Johnson-Then you want to i'm j
peach his testimony?
Mr.. Carroll do.
Mr.. Rundlett here produced his bank
book, which showed that he had drawn
q check on Aug. 1 for SO and on Aug.
for S. to pay two personal bills.
Did you see Mr.. Rundlett enter the
bank on Aug. 80" inquired Mr.. Craig
Il did not" answered Carroll, but
I saw him going down Fourth street."
How far down did he go?"
Il don't know" admitted Mr.. Car.
Mr.. Wilson, of the city engineers
office, was then sent for. Mr.. Wilson, |
when asked concerning his knowledge |
of the $50 retained by Mr.. Rundlett, |
said that he was in Mr.. Rundletts pri- |