Evening journal., 1909-08-03
OFFICIALS GET
THEIR SALARIES
MIR. Ross Turns Over Checks
After Being Released Of
Responsibility
COUNCIL AUTHORIZES KANE
TO SIGH IN LIEU OF ROSS

Shortly before noon to-day City
Auditor John u. kurtz. President OF
Council Banning aud Councilman
James Kane. of the Fourth ward. tho
latter having been empowered by City
Council last night TO sign checks In
lieu OF City Treasurer Howard ID.
Ross, called az the city treasurer's Of
fee and demanded the checks for tho
salaries of the now city officials. which
had been held up by Mr.. Ross rho
lattor was holding them untii he had
received an opinion from tho attorneys
Of the American Bonding Company. his
surety, as TO whether be should Sign
them. The three city officials, how
ever would not wait and on their re-
lleving Mr.. Ross OF all responsibility
he surrendered the checks
As a matter OF fact the trio OF ofii-
cials had made out duplicate checks
OF the ones held up by Mr.. Ross and
went TO the city treasurer's Office TO
get the numbers Of tho originals
on obtaining tho original checks.
Mcssrs. Kurtz. Banning and Kane left
and the latter signed them and dis
| tributed them to-day.
In an interview with a reporter for
/ THE EVENING JOURNAL to-day.
Mr. Ross who had Just returned from
his vacation. corrected the impression
which the Democratic members OF
Council tried TO convey. that he was
neglecting his official duties.
enc employe of the city WAS obliged
70 walt for his check and even the
800 or more teachers received their
checks the day they were due" said
Mr. Ross.
Mr.. Ross said he had no disposition 10
hold up the checks Of tho newly elected
city officials but ho was acting on instric-
tions received through tho local attorney
Of tho American Bonding Company. The
latter concern having heard Of the Coun-
Gil hearing and the question concerning the
legality Of the last city election, instructed
him TO withhold payment Of tho SALARIES
until the company had time 60 seek an
opinion from its counsel. Mr.. Ross said
this opinion might arrive to-day
Because city Treasurer Howard d. ros
held up tho salaries Of the newly e'ectei
city officials sanding tho action of IA
court on tho question OF the legality q
the recent city election, city Council las
: evening took hand la the matter an
dagignntod Councilman Kane 20 SIS
i th'Nh- ~ .l'h ~ Wy - s' 2- i----.l--i
following resolution was adopted'
e Whereas. the city treasurer Of the cii
e OF Wilmington 81 absent from the sa
4 city Of Wilmington. and
d Whereas. the salaries OF certain city o
p ncers and employees OF said city arc dl
q and payable, and
a Whereas. by section 81 of the charter G
I the said city the moneys belonging {
said city on deposit, shall be drawn ou
2 only ON an order signed By the presideu
! and clerk Of council. and countersigned b
the city auditor and city treasurer or i
? case OF the absence or temporary disahilit
OF either then by such person as Councl
: may designate by resolution, and the oth
: ers therefore be II
Resolved by the Council, that Jane
i Kane be and he Is hereby designated q
countersign orders drawn IN favor Of al
persons to whom salaries are now du
and owing. in lieu OF the city treasurer
and he. the said James Kane, Is hereb'
! authorized and empowered % sign co.
, same.
The only member voting against tn
adoption OF the resolution was Councilmai
}, Rash. his Republican colleagues refusin
e to vote one way or the other.
r Council adjourned 10 meet again to-mcr
% row night 10 approve the minutes OF th
'- recent meetings held none Of which wer
n read.