The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-06-15
FOR A VERY BIG sum
HISTORY OF THE MILWAUKEE,
ITEMIzED BILL
AND ITS RIDICULOUS ITEMS
To Be Passed Over the City Auditors
Head if He Declines to Draw
Warrant

Wnen the puDllc meeting OF the DOarQ OF
education on Monday night resolved Itself
into an executive session, on motion of Mr..
Conrey, and thereafter resolved itself again
into a public session behind closed doors
and with the reporters Of the daily news
papers locked out, for the purpose of bounc-
ing Mr.. Webb, good COB Of balsam was
Immediately thereafter applied to his
wounded feelings by the passage of his IA
nous bill of expenses while delegate to
the Milwaukee convention of July, 1897. 1t
was originally audited for $500, but the board
shaved it down on Monday night to $423.22,
a sum Of enormous proportions, considering
the value, or the lack of value, Of the al
legged services rendered by Webb. Indeed.
Iif it had been considered critically in legal
| light, and if the board had been inclined to
discriminate between the legal demands
contained in it, and what items there was
no warrant in the world for paying, the ex-
schocs directors demand would have been
further reduced by a sum of $215, leaving
balance payable out Of the city school fund
of $20S22.
| Mr.. Webb was pleased to swear before the
lsecretary Of the board, Averill, on Monday
to demand for $500, while his alleged item
lized bill of expenses was $551.12. OF this
ton expenses" Newspaper influence there
lin is taxed at $780, Hungry delegates he in
vites to dinners, lunches and suppers at the
expense of the good city OF Los Angeles.
He even takes in the theater one night at
| cost of 50. These little dinner parties to
delegates are varied by his "trowin' few
meals into famlshin' reporters and a feedin'
of their faces" This vicarious hospitality
10Th
the medium of Mr.. Webb, and this bribing
of the devil knows whom-as there are no
|vouchers-for newspaper influence" cost
IS215
The items in the itemized bill foh $551.12,
although the demand was magnanimously
made out in round numbers for $500 which
were cut down, were the flying trips to
Kansas City and Chicago, examining
schools and visiting buildings, $31.60; ex-
penses for meals. etc., on train, four days,
so; livery stable, SO; expenses TO New
York and Brooklyn, s1S; fare to Chicago
and New York and return, $500. These
sums were added up and subtracted, not
from the demand for $500, but from the
| itemized bill of $55112.
| Webb's bill has had checkered history.
It was first approved by the old board but
lowed to rest until the finance committee of
$500, but at the regular meeting ensuing
only s423.22 was allowed. 1t will now go to
lefty Auditor Nichols, who in all likelihood
will refuse to draw a warrant for the
amount. Then 1t will be returned to the
board, whose members are believed to
island compromised. to It's final passage,
land under section ga of the city charter
If they approve 1t again 1t must be PAID
| by the city treasurer.
After Webb had thrown up his hands
and delivered his resignation, he seems to
have been very anxious to save this val
liable spar from the wreck, but with his
characteristic braggadoclo he wanted
the demand passed unanimously or
not at all. 1t is on record that some Of
1.-The directors were so anxious to get rid of
Webb at any price that they thought s423.22
a bagatelle and the vote came as near be-
ling unanimous as Mr.. Braly knew how to
prevent. He alone voted no. Webb had not
expected this unkind cut, but he rallied
quickly from the shock, and he said: "Oh,
well, never mind him. I don't mind him."
1t is significant that Mr.. Braly should
have changed his mind Monday night on the
subject of the demand as he was on the
finance committee of the old board, together
with Messrs. Bartlett and Poor which
passed Webb's first demand for $500. The
present finance committee, which again let
lit so through without shave and a hair
cut, consists of Messrs. Bragg, McInerney
and Poor.
The board when passing the demand over
the city auditors head will base itself upon
tha oDjnion of the city attorney in the case