Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-02
NJ 'G|LL'S CASE IS
UNDER AMUSEMENT.
AUDITOR TESTIFlES IN FAVOR
OF CLERK
Declares He Found Accounts All Right
and Considered Suspended Man
Competent to Handle the
Health Office Books

The defense in the trial of William
H. McGill, former secretary of the
board of health, had it's field day yes
terday when it put it's witnesses on the
stand before the civil service commits
sion.
publican politicians, City Auditor w.
c. Mushet testified for the suspended
man.
II found his books kept in a manner
above the average at the city hail."
! declared Mushet after a. great deal of
preliminary praise.
"Is that saying much?" asked Chair
man Haynes, who was evidently sur
prised to see the reform auditor tes-
tifying in behalf of man against
whom the mayor health commissioner,
board of health and others had piled
UP what they regarded as a clear case
of insubordination and incompetency.
| Mushet repeated that McGilps work
was we'll done.
The city auditor also testified that
he had ordered him to discontinue the
cash journal. AS Mr.. Mushet took Of
! flee in January and the book had not
+, been touched since previous to the
election in November, Deputy City At
torney Shenck tried to get witness to
explain the discrepancy, and Mr.. Mush-
ct insisted McGill followed his advice
after that.
| Auditor Mushet said further:
"Three weeks ago the board of health
| asked me to look over the books, and
with Mr.. Thomas, the expert, who is
examining the city 5 books, I did So
| found the books kept by Mr.. McGill
were kept in an orderly manner and
| the settlements for the auditor regular
| ly made out. The work of the office
was above the average Of other depart
| ments.
Mushet Finds Few Mistakes
"I was indeed surprised at the fewness
| of the errors / had been led to suspect
that there would be many mistakes"
Asked whether he knew McGill. Mu-
shet said:
"McGill came into my office the day
after took hold and asked me to look
at his system and to suggest any
changes. found the office busy one,
with Interruptions over the telephone
and at the Neutrality-suspicious. that
were likely to cause mistakes by
| bookkeeper. I recommended cutting out
the third book-the cash journal. The
register and ledger are sufficient"
Auditor Mushet was asked by the
commissioners about the transactions
between Money Lender Arnold and
health department employees. He said:
"I don't believe Arnold's patrons re-
| ceived quicker action on the pay roll.
| All were copied at once in our office.
There was a marked falling off in his
business since I sounded note of
warning. There is not per cent as
much business as formerly by Arnold
in our office. He is possibly allowing
the men to collect their demands, trust
ing on their honor to repay him"
Used Auditors Adding Machine
Reference was made to the adding
machine in the auditors office, which
is used by employees of other offices
who have no such equipment. 1T ap-
pears that the machine is freely used
for addition purposes and hence foot
ings thus mechanically made should be
accurate.
Expert Accountant Herbert I.
Thomas testified much like Auditor
Mushet-that McGill's bookkeeping was
good and his handwriting legible.
IT found a few errors,' said Mr..
Thomas.
Don't you expect a bookkeeper to
| be accurate when the auditor keeps
watch?" asked Chairman Haynes.
1.-THE system was at fault said Mr.
Thomas.
Assemblyman James Transue, who
had been asked by Counsel Dockweiler
and Foley for McGill to examine the
QeIndIluS LOT pay lIldue ny tRudTdilllHO
Guards West and Thomas, read a
table showing when these men had
cashed their demands. These men had
testified that when Arnold patrons
asked McGill for their time checks he
got busy at once, but they had to wait.
Later when West patronized the "sub-
treasury he found he got his money
more expeditiously.
Quint Explains Club Books
DR.. S. j. Quint, police surgeon, re-
Gently reappointed by the Republicans
in the city council to the receiving hos
pital management, next took the stand
to explain how the books of the Fourth
Ward Young Mems Republican club
chanced to remain in the health de-
partment safe for years. Dr. Quint was
formerly assistant health officer.
II took the books when the civil SER
vice commission came into power"
said DIR. Quint. intending to return
them for Mr.. McGill to DR.. Beckett and
George Cochran, but neglected to do
so. 1 left them at the office. L don't
| know how they got into the safe"