Evening journal., 1908-03-17
MAYOR GETS
BOARD BOOKS
Takes Legal Action and Water
Board Appear Before Him
With Books tie Was After
INVESTIGATION WILL
NOW PROCEED

Acting under the law, after the books
Of the Water Department had been re-
fused hib. Mayor Horace Wilson last night
nad suppoenas served on members OF the
Water Board to produce the books ne de-
sired in the investigation he is making
OF the affairs Of that department.
The subpoenas we're served by Police
man Wilmer Hahn and the Water Board
members. including Registrar Grohe, OF
the department, were summoned to ap-
pear before the Mayor in the City Audi
tors office at 10 o'clock this morning, and
they did. The books asked for by the
Mayor were also produced. and In an
there were nine Of them and the string
OF Water Department employees who car
red ithem to the auditors office headed
by President Shaw. Of the department
attracted a good sizedcrow IN the vicln-
ity Of tho city auditors office.
Tho books which the Mayor now has In
his possession include the disbursement
and revenue books. and invoice and cost
books. Mayor Wilson informed the Water
Commissioners that he would take care
OF the books and that city Auditor Rice
would be their custodian while they were
out Of the Water Department. offices.
Mayor Wilson appeared before the
Water Commissioners yesterday afternoon
an dhe received no satisfaction as to
whether he could have the books OF the
department and he left with the remark
that he would get the books. The law
under which the Mayor has acted fol-
lows:
The Law on the Question.
"That section z. Of chapter 2O7, vol
ume H. Laws Of Delaware, be amended
by inserting after the word executed
and beofre the word he in the fourth
line Of said section. the words, for the
purpose Of enforcing the faithful exc
Icution OF said laws and ordinances,
and of obtaining any information con-
cerning matters affecting the munich
lpality, the mayor shall have power and
Authority. In any inquiry OF investga-
ton he may institute. TO compel the
attendance Of witnesses and the pro-
duction Of necessary books and papers
lat any time or place within the city
he may designate He may issue sub
lpoenas and attachments, signed By
himself. TO compel the attendance of
such witnesses and the production OF
any and all such books and papers,
(which such subpoenas and attach
ments shall be served and executed by
lany police officer Of the city If amy
lperson so summoned as witness shall
Irefuse to testify TO any facts within
his knowledge. or TO produce the books
lin his custody or possession, or under
his control, required I'm such inquiry
lor investigation the mayor shall have
power TO commit such witness for con-
tempt All witnesses In any such in
lquiry or investigation shall be exam
lined under oath, 10 be administered by
the mayor, and any false answer or
statement made under oath by any
such witness at such inquiry or inves-
tigation shall be deemed perjury, and
shall be punished accordingly. The
expense Of any such inquiry or inves-
ltigation shall be paid by the Council,
upon bills presented 70 such body, ap-
Iproved as correct by the mayor" Sec
ton 2, volume "a. Laws OF Delaware.
When the mayor asked for the books
lof the department yesterday afternoon
Mr.. Ford replied that the books would
never leave the water board room
with his vote unless they We're accom-
panied by an employe Of the depart
ment
Mayor Wilson asked II that was the
feeling Of all the members Of the
board, to which President Shaw re-
piled that 1t was as far as he was con-
lcerned.
well. the books will leave this room
without an employe Of the depart
ment with them" replied the mayor
warmly
At this juncture Mr. Knox made a
motion that the books desired by the
mayor in his investigation Of the af-
fairs Of the department, be turned
over to him, but neither Mr.. Shaw nor
Mr. Ford voted for the motion.
Replying 70 Mayor Wilson's remarks
that the books would leave the depart
ment. Mr.. Ford said: You can't get
the books out Of this department when
Won talk that way. You are taking on
Yourself authority which I don't think
YOU possess. for one don't concede
your right to question anything In re-
lation to the operation Of this board,
Mr.. Mayor. and I won't stand for it.
Mayor Wilson left the room with
out further comment. He was later
seen by a reporter for THE EVENING
Journal and said that he would
subpoena the board TO surrender the
Ia II