The Washington times., 1903-07-09
Former Discovered TO Have.
as officer Of the District
Audited Accounts of As
phalt Concern IN Wbic6
He Was Interested.
SELLS OUT HIS STOCK
AT GREAT SACRIFICE
VIII Retain Position on Board
of Tax AppraiSers-GDsn
Cboice Betzveen HIS Ixuo
Occupations.

Alexander Mckenzie Is not 70 be ap-
pointed Auditor for the District OF Co
1umbia.
This announcement was made at noon
today. following an executive session OF
the Board Of Commissioners. al which
time certain charges against Mr.. McKen-
zie were discussed.
This Drecludes the transfer OF James
T. Petty. the incumbent Auditor. and un-
less another position can be found for
him shortly. he Will be asked 10 resign.
Mr. Mckenzie viii retain his position
as a member OF the board OF personal
tax appraisers
Startling Disclosure.
Another startling disclosure regarding
the administration OF affairs at the Dis
trict Building was made last evening.
when it was learned that Alexander Nc
kenzie. who was asked last Monday by
the Commissioners to take the position
OF Auditor. relieving J. T. Petty. was
secretary of a company which supplied
the District with asphalt block. ana
which has, within the past eleven years.
trict funds. Mr.. Mckenzie, while act
ing as Deputy Auditor under Mr.. Petty.
approved and signed many vouchers of
the company in which he was inan-
cially interested.
remarkable feature OF this disclosure
is the evidence that Mr. Mckenzie trans
acted the business of the asphalt com
pany and the business of the District
Auditor. on the same desk In the Dis
trict building. On the left hand side
of his desk, which is the property OF
the District government. he kept the
embossed stationery. seal, and other
paraphernalia OF the Washington As
phait Block and Tile Company. of which
he was secretary.
On the right hand side OF the same
desk he kept his seal as Acting Auditor
Mr.. Mckenzie. when the asphalt com
pany needed money. would make out a
voucher on the left hand side of the
desk. pass favorably upon it. and ther
afix the Auditors seal on the right hanC
side OF the desk
The District check book would then be
placed in the center of the desk. and
the check made out payable to the as
phalt company. The check would ther
be eashed by Mr.. Mckenzie. as secre-
tary of the company. and the transaction
would be completed
Commissioners Act.
This state of affairs was made known
this morning. and precipitated the action
OF the Commissioners. who in justice u
themselves and in Difference to public
opinion, told Mr.. Mckenzie that he could
not have the position OF Auditor The
Commissioners also gave an alternative
to Mr.. Mckenzie, telling him he must
either resign as an officer or stockholder
o. the asphalt company. or the company
would be given no more contracts.
Commissioner Biddle made the order q
little stronger. stating that Mckenzie
must either resign from the company
or from the service Of the District oi
choice Immediately
Mr.. Mckenzie, acting under these In
struetions, reported at noon TO the Com
missioners that he was no longer con-
nected with the Washington Asphalt
Block and Tile Company. and that BE-
had sold his stock. losing more than
$4,000 in the transaction. The Commits
sioners expressed regret that the Tax
Appraiser should have 10 suffer inan-
cial losses. but deemed the course
adopted the only proper one.
No One in View.
The Commissioners have no one in
view for the position OF Auditor. Mr..
Petty is still drawing the pay. while
AIonzo Tweedale is acting as Auditor.
The order OF the Commissioners re-
ICnnrsnt,od 90. Nil u