Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-02-26
The EXPERTS REPORT
Accountants Examining City Off,
Gals Books Find Few Dis
crepancies.
Apparent Shortage Of About $50
in Mayors. Others Have
Something Coming.
Council Refuses to Investigate
Previous Years. Several
Contracts Let.


tween March IA. 1900, and Feb. 49, 1901.
A few discrepancies We're found in some
of the accounts in that time, and an ef-
fort was made by Councilman Fisher to
have the books of the mayor and city
clerk examined for the period covering
the last six years, or since Mr.. Pierce's
incumbency, but the council would not
consent to this. The report of the ex-s
perts was presented thru MIR. Mcclure.
In the mayors accounts they found an
error of s2.10in the footings, and SIS in
fines and sl4 in costs that have not been
turned over. An error of something
more than So was found in City Clerk
Trotter's books but the amount was in
his favor, and the accountants found
that City Marshal Jones had paid to the
city trea sitrer sl3 more than was due
the city and has that much coming to
him. After some discussion relative to-
bringing the report of the experts UP to
the close of the fiscal year in March,
Mr.. Fisher then spoke in favor of his.
plan to have the books of the mayor.
and city clerk examined for the entire
period of Mayor Pierce's adminsitra-
ton. He spoke of the public censare of
various officials, and he said If it IL
possible to do so he council ought to
show the public that city matters We're
straight If everything is all right he
desired 10 see the mayor vlhdicatsd, he
said. He presented motion that the
examination of the accounts for the six
years, be ordered, but this, brought forth
strenuous objection from DR. Harris.
Mr.. Mcclure and others Mr. Mcclure.
said the accounts had been checked up
two years ago and were straight at that
time. Mr.. kreutzer supported Mr.. Fish
ser's motion and insisted that the cost
would be money Well spent DIR. Harris
opposed the plan, saving there was not
q great deal of calamity bowling over
City affairs, and that that little ema-
mated from one or two sources He said
II economy Is demanded the council
ought to begin by refusing to employ
the experts for this work The mayor
took part in the discussion and said
that, while he did not care anything
about 1t so far "a he was concerned, he
wanted to know Why it VAS not the plan
TO examine the city clerks books for
the period of his incumbency twenty
two years Mr.. Benson opposed the plan
on the ground that the cost would
amount to $500 or more. Mr. Fisher
motion was defeated finally by a vote OF
8 to q, all voting against except Messrs,
Fisher and TSreutzer. The mayor then
explained his shortage by saying it
came about four years ago, prior TO
which time 1t had been customary to
pay the costsscolected to the city, but
the board Of supervisors insisted that
this money be paid into the county
treasury. az the county pays the larger
part of the mayors fees for his services
as justice of the peace. The mayor
said he thought this money was paid to
the county AT that time. but il not he
would reimburse the city.
Bids We're received for Installing a
new boiler at the water works station,
and for building a new brick s,uoke-
stack 100 feet in height or a new steel
stack. Several bids were RECEIVED ON
both jobs. The Murray iron works was
given the contract for putting in the
boiler, at q price of $7917l Chris
sReimer was awarded the contrac, FOR
the vitrified brick stack. his bid being
$1,000. Bids FOR remodeling and en,arg-
ing the pumping station were not re-
lceived.
$50
AS fer previous request City Clerk
Trotter presented list of water con
sumers who are delinquent for their
rentals The list was made up largely
or poor people most of whom will nav
When they can, but some uf the delin.
quents are prominent and We'll -to-du
citizens. The council voted unanimous
ny to cut the water off on March is II
the refts are not paid. The total delin-
quency amounts to only 1898. comnared
10 over $l7 600 collected, which is a good
showing. Some Of the delinquents have
left the city or moved into other houses
Mr.. Nyberg.s a resident of Mitchell
street, has judgment of $3.50 standing
against his home forpoll taxes OF sew
leral years ago. during the time Justice
Battin sought to collect such taxes for
the city. AS evidence was at hand that
the taxes had been paid at the time, the
council voted to pay off the Judgment
which has passed into the hands of a
third party. Mr.. kreutzer then offered
motion to have the judiciary com
| from Mr.. Bsttin. and this the council
agreed to.
| The committee in charge OF the in.
| vestigation of the petition for a vaca.
tlon of a part of South Fourth avenue
to allow the Marshall Vinegar and
| Pickle Company to enlarge its plant
! and add broom factory, asked fol
more time, as the city solicitor had moi
given an opinion on the question.
The council RENTED, on request OF
Mr.. Good the municipal taxes on the
home of Mrs. Andrew kirchberger An
| other request. made thru Mr.. Henry
/ was for an outside stairway on the
Gust Bierman building and the matter
was referred.
Now Arrivals u the Soldiers Home.
| The following veterans have recently
become members of the Iowa Soldiers
Home:
| Alfred N. Benedict Company X
sixty-seventh Illinois Infantry, Johnson
!, county.
| C. s. Franklin Company d. Fifty
leIghth Illinois Infantry, Clayton county
M. w. Barkhurst-Com b. Thir-
ty-fourth Iowa Infantry, Polk county.
Jefferson Ogg Company ID. Fifteenth
Iowa Infantry, Wapello county.
William p. Wood--Company "A, Elev.
enth Michigan Infantry, Marshall
liGounty.
Handy B. Clark Company X. One