The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-08-25
FACTS OF SCRAP IRON DEAL
MITTEE CALLED TO INVESTI-
GATE THE MATTER.
The Committee Makes "a Show of
the Ex-Street Commissioners
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 1t. 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 $780, or even touched it af-
ter locking it up in his desk, the COM
mittee 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 theemoney for such a period,
as he would not have been held re-
sponsible- for the action of Comptroller
McCardy in insisting that the money
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.
Thompson and Craig were ever thought
of in 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
treasurer's office, was the first witness
in the absence from town of City Treas
urer Horst Mr.. Johnson asked Mr.
Mulllken if the city treasurer had re-
ce1ved 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
ken's 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 treasurer'S office $100 on Dec. %,
1896, and $50 on Aug. 3, 1897. Mr.. Multi
ken added that when Mr.. Rundlett
brought in the 800 he had said some
thing about having it 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
! nv
| next day, Mr.. Rundlett, according to
Mr.. Mulliken's recollection, dropped
into the treasurer's office and remark
| eel 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.
| Mr.. 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 $10O Mr.. Rundlett re-
ceived in the shape of a check on the
| Allemannia bank, just 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
balance of the money, and upon after
wards learning that the S100 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 contemplative
of ;,,1,,
us it customary for a city officer
to retain money coming into his hands,
because another city officer refuses to
act as desired?"
81 don't know what the custom u.s."
replied Mr.. Rundlett. 81 retained the
$50 to see if I 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 I retained it."
rejoined Mr.. Rundlett. cit was be-
cause 1 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 $100 check on the Allemannia bank
first, though it was the second pay
IlonI on account Ol the sale OF the
scrap iron, and after he had related
the incident of his taking the $50 from
a drawer in his desk on Aug. 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
Savings bank" queried Mr.. Carroll
with blood in his eye and a tremolo IN
his voice.
Mr.. Johnson-What is the object of
your question, Mr.. Carroll?
ST want to show that Mr.. Rundlett
drew that $50 he paid to the treasury
that day from his bank" retorted
Mr.. Carroll.
Mr. Johnson-Then you want to i'm,
peach his testimony?
Mr.. Carroll do.
Mr.. Rundlett here produced his bank
book, which showed that he had drawn
a check on Aug. 1 for SO and on Aug
Z for SIS to pay two personal bills.
Did you see Mr.. Rundlett enter the
bank on Aug. 80" inquired Mr.. Craig.
II did not" answered Carroll, but
1 saw him going down Fourth street."
How far down did he go?"
81 don't know" admitted Mr.. Car.
roll.
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.. Rundlett's pri-