Los Angeles herald., 1906-10-09
.HOUGHTON Vents
IRE At WILLARD
OPPOSES REPORT OF AUDIT
COMMISSION
Council Reselnds Recent Action In
Employing Eastern Firm to Equip
city with New system Of
Municipal Accounts

BY vote Of to 2 the council yes
terday rescinded its action by which It
was pledged to employ q firm Of New
York experts at q cost of $4,000 to
audit and reorganize the city's books.
The work OF the special commission
composed of prominent business men
was practically repudlated. The entire
question will be taken up Friday by the
council meeting in special session as
committee of the whole.
In the discussion which preceded this
action Doc Houghton, with G. d. Will
lard, secretary of the Municipal league,
as the butt for his remarks, gave vent
to one of the most bitter and venomous
TRADES ever heard on the floor Of the
Los Angeles council chamber.
The special commission composed Of
A. B. Cass, ex-president of the chamber
OF commerce.; q. e. Bittinger, cashier Of
the First National bank and represent
ing the Municipal league, and J. M.
Schneider of the Manufacturers asso-
citation were accused of having selected
this firm because of favoritism G. d.
Willard was accused OF 'bulldozing
methods and of being tangled UP In
every rotten deal connected with the
council chamber for the past two
years"
Willard Demands Protection
Houghton's colleagues listened to his
remarks in silence. He was allowed to
exceed the rule against speaking for
more than five minutes. Only once did
the chair interfere. This was when
Houghton's remarks had reached
point that Mr.. Willard arose to demand
protection. Houghton moderated his
words and went on. When he had
finished his colleagues, with the excep-
tion of Hitler and Kern, supported him
by voting to rescind their order that
the firm of Jones, Caser & Co. of New
York city should be given the task of
auditing and reorganizing the city's
books.
Mr.. Willard at first seemed to take
Houghton'S remarks as a joke. The
representative of the Sixth is outspoken
as to his opinion of Mr.. Willard and
Mr.. Wizards position and has aften
made it public on the floor of the
council chamber. He accuses Mr.. Will
lard of sending emissaries of the
Municipal league into the Sixth ward to
put him out of office at the coming
election. When the remarks become
more than usually personal Mr.. Willard
as6se, and not taking his own defense
but that of the commission demanded
that Houghton should cease making in
situations and state facts. This
Houghton could not do, and he ad-
mitted 1T.
Mr.. willard, as the Representative of
an organization which has frequently
interfered with councilmanic plans,
bears the enmity of the present city
council Following Houghton's speech
it was asserted in the visitors gallery
that the plan to rescind it's action and
score the leagues representative had
been prearranged.
Opposes Audit Company
Houghton took the stand yesterday
that, he took three weeks ago when it
was proposed to employ the New York
experts. The plan to audit the city's
books is one which was brought to the
attention of the public and the city
council by the league. Houghton has
fought it from the start, and when his
colleagues voted to employ Jones,
Caser & Co. no one was more bitterly
opposed to it than Houghton.
He maintained that the work should
be done by experts whose residence is
in Los Angeles, or at least on the
Pacific coast.
'The firm recommended by the COM
mission was chosen because one of the
commissioners" Houghton said after
he had made the motion that Jones,
Caser & Co. be not employed. 1T is
Illegal to make contract for more
than $500 unless upon competitive bid
ding. If this company is given the
contract will yell my head off until
the end of my term on the way we do
business in this city. I want the action
designating an eastern firm rescinded."
Healy seconded Houghtons motion.
When it came to a roll call later
Blanchard agreed to vote AYE" If
Houghton would include in his motion
a special meeting of the council Friday,
at which the question should again be
taken up.
The committee was appointed at the
instigation of the council, which asked
that three municipal organizations
should each be represented by one
member. The committee began its in
vestigations in July and reported three
weeks ago. It's report was accepted by
the council.