The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-08
.HECHlER CALLED
BEFORE COURT
Continued from First page.)

ing pdiihIIiS uay III Oil uLGcNiil tlil
shall be specifically separated from
the treasurer's private funds, which
Is not now done.
Third. That all disbursements
shall be made by check. All OF these
suggestions are made to prevent the
recurrence OF present conditions Of
bookk coping, which are 80 involved
TINT It Is impossible to determine In
many instances to what funds the
moneys con hand should be appor-
toned, and h disposition has been
made Of the amount received by the
treasurer for account OF the State or
county. age
| Fourth. That the school funds,
county funds and state funds be kept
In separate accounts.
(Signed)
'HENRIco COUNTY SCHOOL
BOARD.
"By John Stewart Bryan"
IT concur in the above recommen-
dations oil behalf OF the
(Sisned)
"HENRIco BOARD OF SUPER
VlSORs.
/. wv. c. Saunders.
'January Z, 1917 20
Judge Scott, on receipt of the above
paper. issued a rule to County Treasurer
HenS c. Hechler to appear in court on
January 18th and show cause, IL any
there be. why he should not be summarily
removed from office.
What Mr.. Hechler Says.
Mr.. Hechier when seen at his office yes
terday afternoon expressed himself as
glad to have any proper investigation of
the affairs of his office. and expressed the
fullest confidence Of his entire vindicatIon.
TJa Unu 1inahfa m CIV af tbiu fty,e whn hiu
counsel would be. but stated that no
had already taken legal advice as to
presenting his case to the court on the
18th. and feels sure that he will be fully
prepared to meet the charge OF tho grand
Jury on that date.
Mr.. Hechler points to his long service
to tho county having been for many years
a supervisor. then assistant treasurer
under the late Mr.. Todd. as an argument
why the public should suspend Judgment
until his side OF the case Is heard.
II can account for every dollar that has
come in during my administration of the
Office he says. ''how 1t Is collected and
where deposited and how disbursed. I In
vite anybody TO examine the books. Any
taxpayer may see his account at any
time.
"The auditor for the New York Bond
ing Company. who furnished my State
and county bonds. and who are the parties
most interested. and who must lose most
heavily in any irregularlty OF the funds
Of the county. spent a week here last fall
and expressed himself as entirely satisfied.
and suggested no charges as to the
methods Of bookkeeping.
II don't lend any money, have retired
from all other business than the POSI-
ton of treasurer. don't speculate, don't
gamble. and can account for all funds"
Mr.. Hechler was appointed treasurer by
Judge Scott In March, 1906, for the UNI
expired term of the late w. G. Todd. Mr..
Hechler had served as first deputy OF
Mr.. Todd since January !. 1904, and Is re-
garded as being thoroughly familiar with
the duties Of tho Office. Mr.. L. r. Wen
denburg, Commonwealth's attorney, de-
clined to express any opinion when seen
yesterday afternoon, saying that the mat
ter was one of court record and must
come up in due order on the 18th.
Mr.. 8. P. Waddill. clerk Of the Henrico
Circuit Court, expressed his sympathy
with Mr.. Hechler in tho position which
the grand jury report places him, and
his hope that the matter would be salts
factorIly explained. He a not given
sufficient study to the matter. however,
to express any opinion on the merits
Of the case.
From conversation with Mr.. Hechler
and other officials OF the county, 1t seems
that It has been the custom OF the treas
urer in past yearS to advance taxes to
certain citizens of the county. thus making
the five per cent. penalty which Is added
to tax bills not paid by n certain date.
It is known that this was the custom of
the office In Mr.. Todd's administration,
and Mr.. Hechler claims that 1t was done
with the full knowledge and consent Of
the board of supervisors.
A Case in Point.
The board charges tho treasurer with
tho duty OF collecting taxes as assessed.
and under certain regulations it Is a
part of his duty to bring legal action
for the collection of taxes not paid by a
certain time.
Mr.. Hechler explained the matter by
taking the case of Mr.. A, q resident of
the county, Who Is a ~well-known citizen,
owning property. Mr.. A fails to settle
his taxes for a year, though inadvertence
or neglect. His name comes up on the list
OF ~dellnqusnts. although he Is known to
be- both able and willing to settle HIS In
d%ebtedness to the county. BY the custom
which has grown up, the taxes for Mr..
A arc charged to the treasurer and mark
ed OF the books as paid. The treasurer
adds the five per cent. penalty and pro-
ceeds to collect the account II possible,
taking personally tho risk of its nom
payment. 1t will be shown that by this