New-York tribune., 1907-11-10
METZ PR0DS BINGHAM.
Says He Tried to Hulct Citg for
Unnecessary NOtarY Fees.

Controller Metz gave out another statement yes
terday in his controversy with Police Commits
sioner Bingham the contingent fund He said
that the whole thing was a tempest in a teapot
and that if the the Police Commissioner had come
20 him in a manly way, instead OF going to the
Corporation Counsel the matter might have been
settled long ago. Incidentally the Controller an
nounces that he is the only mdn in the city ad-
.ninistration. from the Mayor down. who is not
sfraid Of the Police Commissioner
All that Commissioner Bingham had to saw yes
terday that the incident would not be closed
until he obtained the money to carry on the work
of the department.
Controller Metz gave out the report Of the chief
auditor of accounts the reuuisition which
caused all the trouble 1t appeared that the entire
rumpus was due TO the requisiton being sent back
10 the Commissioner with a protest against Ger
tain notaries fees, and with a request that re-
ceipts be transmitted the Controllers office for
several payments made persons not on the
roster of the Police Department
The notaries' fees to which objections were made
were in connection with aff1davts regarding the
alleged violation of the Sunday law by theatres
The auditor says that for many years notaries'
fees have not been allowed, and that those under
consideration entirely unnecessary because
the officers who made the afidavits could have
Sworn to their statements before city magistrate
His report says:
the instances cited be established it will lead to
very grave abuses and result in muleting the city in
not been considered proper charges against the city
treasury. II IL is proper TO allow notareS fees
20 witness Sunday exhibitions. il viii follow that
81 would likewise be proper to allow for atfdavits
taken the rs instances that appear in the requi-
Eition at present on file in this department If
fee IN the matter of the items Of previous requi-
sitions disallOWed had neen taken by the Police
ConInissioner the major portion OF the amount
asked for IN the rtqulSition under consideration
might with due prompttude have been paid TO
him
Commenting on the report of the auditor Con-
troler Metz said:
5usted by the Commissioner if he had simply
followed the rules governing the functions OF this
department with all others questions which
arise daily. Instead Of doing this he ignored this
Counsel with his vouchers and then returned
them with the Corporation Counsel's
half holiday The next day was, Of
course, Sunday. On Monday l exceedingly
busy all payrolls and other matters. which
unusually heavy on account OF financial con
dtons The 9Th a holiday. On the 9th I took
10 the matter and passed il to Deputy McCooey
10 attend on the 9Th there We're headlines in
the Police Department. on the Sth I took il up
again and referred il 10 the auditor for a report
To-day I got the report.
TIE auditors entirely within their charter
rights IN insisting the information they want
! have no power over the auditors. and If any Of
them allow diCtation from any they are not
1T 10 be auditors.
Controller Metz said he would send a corv Of
the auditors report the Corporation Counsel
and refer the entire matter TO the Mayor Il GER
tanly not going to allow any criticism by an
appointed subordinate Of the Mayor" he said. Ito
go without resenting it and setting this department
right in the public mind"