Evening journal., 1908-04-21
MAYOR RESUMES THE
WATER BOARD INQUIRY
Registrar Grohe and Chief Engineer Lesen Witnesses
at the Investigation This
Morning

resumed his investigation Of the con-
duct of the water department, based
on charges Of extravaganza and un-
businesslike management made by
Water Commissioner William W. Knox
Registrar John S. Grohe was on the
stand a great part of the morning, and
was followed by Chief Engineer Theo-
dore A. Leisen who was examined fl
more than an hour. They were ques-
toned as to the accounting system OF
the water department, and really as
TO whether a detailed separation OF
the various items under the heading
of distribution and pumpage of watel
was kept, to enable the chief engineer
to know at all times just what the VI
rious items under these heads cost. The
examination of Mr.. Grohe and Mr.. Lei.
sen was not finished, Mr.. Leisen being
given figures of increases in the main
tenance of the department since he
became chief engineer and asked tc
explain the increases. He will be fur
nished with a typewritten copy Of the
questions bearing on this point and
was given week in which to prepare
his answer
The inquiry will be resumed tomoT
row morning with President Benjamin
+. Shaw of the Water Commission ard
Townsend W. Miller as witnesses, and
they will be asked as to certain work
done for the water department by the
3. f. Shaw Company OF by Mr.. Miller
The investigation today was conduct
ed publicly in the Water Department
rooms. The witnesses today were quail
lhed under oath before giving testl-
mony.
Commissioner Knox Absent.
When the hearing tegan it was
noticed that Water Commissioner
Knox was not present although Com
-missioners Shaw ana Ford were
Mavor Wilson sat at the head Of the
table. and City Solicitor Townsend
and Special Auditor Gleason near him.
Councilmen White. Benson and Hig-
gins, members Of the investigating
committee named by Council also were
present but Councilman Cassidy OF
that committee was absent William
T. Lyman was present as counsel fol
Registrar Grohe and sat beside him
CITY Auditor Rice also was in attend
ance. The testimony was taken by G.
w. Dorsey, Jr.
Registrar Grohe Testified.
= Mr.. Grohe said that for the last foui
the departments accounting, that be-
ing looked after by the assistant regis
trar who was under him. Il had lit
tie to do with it, said Mr.. Grohe. He
said 1t was not because Of any order
Of the commissioners. He added that IN
chief engineer complies the annual re-
port of the department Mr. Grone
said he furnished the chief engineer
with the annual statement.
Mr.. Grohe said the cost book is
under the supervision of Mr.. Mcintyre
who took charge of 81 and installed q
cost book when Mr.. Grohe was i'll. The
commissioners depend upon the cosi
book for information rs to expendi-
lures In 1904 they depended upor
Mr.. Grohe's monthly and annual books
Mr. Grohe was asked to give the
gross receipts for 1906 and there was
a wait while City Auditor Rice went
to his Office and returned staggerira
under an armload Of books Mr.
Grohe quoted figures from the booi'
for 1906 He said no record was KEEP
of the revenues Anticipated for any
year EXCEPT the bills for water rents
made out in the register at the begin.
ming of each year. These bills were
never totalled. Mr.. Grohe said, but fh'
revenues are at the end of each year
If a house is torn down and remains
down. that fact is noted on the bill
book.
Questioned by the Mayor.
Mayor Wilson at this juncture ask
ed if water has ever been turned of
for non-payment Of rents.
-
Grohe. "A record is made Of that il
the shut-off record"
''What were the revenues for fla
rates and meters in the six months
ending June. 1902" asked Mr.. Towns
end.
IT don't know" said Mr.. Grohe
What were the cash receipts for thos
six monthsT'
"slOi. .Oss1o from the nat rates. The mete
rates were $4,000"
Mr.. Grohe then produced books en-
papers to which he referred. He said tn
uncoIlected fiat rates for 1907 were 81
and the uncollected meter rates for tina
period were SIS. Both were shut of. s.
Matthew'S Church on chippey street wa
shut on.
'AIr Grohe, didn't yeu have outstand
ing on December 81, 1907, meter rate
amounting to s2.27s.21." The accounts wer
specified.
Il can't say"
Were all outstanding June 1907"
''Yes, SIR"
did any bosk Of the department S
shown
Nothing but the bills"
did you not enter an account G
Landlith Improvement Company in you
cash book as having been paid in Janu
ary. 1907. and subsequently strike it outl
Eyes. sir"
Outstanding Bills.
Mr. Townsend returned to the questio
of Outstanding 1907 bills at the end of DE
cember, 1907, and Mr.. Grohe after ex
amining the books said the various bill
including one of the Landlith Improve
ment Company for more than s2.i0S.a
were outstanding at that time.
wouldn't an examination Of the cas-
book indicate that they we're all paid i
19o7Y'
1T would indicate that they were paid
Some were paid in October, some in De
cember."
1T was entered as paid in December
1907 and the check was made good
1sOsg"
yes. SIR
WAS there not an entry made IN IN
...-.st -to..-~o5 49,