The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-04-28
'CITY EXPERTS REPORT. y
GIVEN TO THE PUBLIC
It IS A VERY vOLuM|NOus AFFAIR
Experts EndeaVor To Make Water Registrar Mclean
Appear Short-Treasurer Has Too Much Money
By slS0GRepot Not Taken Seriously

The much heralded report of E. G.
ShorrOck, the Seattle accountant, who
exported the city books at a cost of
something like $4,000, was formally
taken up at the council meeting last
night, but owing to the vOluminous
character Of the document 1t was gent
ly laid to one side to be taken up
again next Tuesday night after City
Attorney Blandford had exhausted his
vocal organs in wading through some
so pages Of close typewriter matter
and figures. The report covers 100
pages and as a specimen Of typewriter
work Is gem Of art, but as a true ex-
hibit of the city books as found by
the Seattle experts. there are grave
doubts in the minds of several men,
bers Of the council whether the city
got its moneys worth.
Alleged Shortage Found.
A bad system of bookkeeping seems
to be about the only thing the ex-
perts could dig; up after several months
of work. An apparent shortage Of
some $4,000 in the material account of
Water Registrar Mclean is disclosed;
City Clerk Reynolds is charged with a
small shortage and City Treasurer
Parks, apparently has something like
$500 on hand unaccounted for. The
fact that the experts were unable to
unearth where the surplus money the
treasurer has on hand came from.
renders the report valueless as far as
representing a true statement of the
city's finances.
Had the general public repOsed more
confidence in the Seattle accountants it
might be that the report would be
taken more seriously, but one of the
experts. while the work was In pro-
gress was discharged for drunkenness
and gross carelessness while another
was arrested and taken back to Iowa to
stand trial on a charge of embezzle-
ment.
Registrars Accounts o. K.
Water Registrar McLean's accounts
were found to be in excellent condition.
with the exception of the material ac-
count which he does not exclusively
handle. The apparent shortage in that
particular account. the water registrar
EXPLAINS. arose through the failure of
the water Superintendent to make full
returns of all pipe that has been laid
under ground.
CITY Clerk Reynolds stated to the
council last night that he stood ready
to explain away any apparent short
ages he is charged with. The clerk
holds receipts for money deposited with
the treasurer that is made part OF
the shortage he is charged with. The
discrepancy at the most would not ex-
coed $3.50 and is no reflection whatever
upon the honesty Of the city clerk.
Owing to the voluminous character
of the report, the Statesman is unable
to print it in full. but gives below,
SYNOPSIS of same, together with the
recommendations and explanations
regarding the alleged. shortages OF
Water Registrar Mclean and City
Clerk Reynolds. and the surplus OF
Citv Treasurer Parks:
CITY or WALLA WALLA-WATER
DEPARTMENT.
Statement Regarding Material Ae-
count to January 81, 1906.
The books of the water de-
partment show that the
purchases of material from
December 1, 1899, to Janu-
ary 81. 1906. including the
inventory taken over from
the Waterworks Company.
we're .......... $500