Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-10-04
CITY TREASURER PAID
100 MUCH BY MISTAKE
Money Promptly Refunded When or
hcer is informed-Mr. Curtis Asks
That His Records be Examined by
Expert, But Committee Doesn't
Deem II Necessary.

+. Stuart BlantOn. cashier OF
Schmelz Brothers Bank. who was
employed three months ago TO AUDIT
the books OF the city auditor for the
three years ending July 81. 1910
made his report last night TO the n
nance committee OF the city council
besides giving a mass OF other nior-
nation, the report sets forth that
many errors in bookkeeping have
been made during the three years
that the city treasurer has drawn
S279.7l more commissions than he
was entitled to because Of errors in
the auditors department and that a
rumber of receipts for money paid
out have been lost.
Money Refunded.
City Treasurer J. Nj. Curtis appear
ed before the committee with refer
ence to the item of the report refer
ring TO the excess commissions he
had received. He explained that Mr..
Read had drawn the warrants for him
and that he had relied absolutely
upon Mr.. Reads figures in drawing
lis checks for the amounts due him.
He stated that he had refunded the
amount of the eNcesJ commissions as
soon as the error had been called to
his attention and he asked that the
committee trploy an expert account
ant TO examine mis- books. The conf
mitteemen assured him that they felt
satisfied that the overdraft on the
commissions was the result OF an nn-
intentional error and that they did
not think that there was any neees-
sity for an audit of his books.
After the report had been read by
Mr.. Blanton and partially digested by
the members OF the committee, II
was decided to name subcommittee
to make careful study OF the repor;
and report back TO the committee OF
the whole. Chairman Ford appointed
H. M. Nelson, NJ. II. Lash and II. +.
Grimes to that committee.
Books Not Written Up.
Mr.. Bianton reported TO the COM
mittee that former City Auditor John
w. Read. who went out of Office on
July 81, 1910. had not written up his
books for the month of July when the
audit was completed. City Auditor
C X. Messick said that since that
time Mr.. Read had done some work
an the books in July. but that he had
not posted all of the July business in
The ledgers and that this delay is
handicapping the incumbent in his
work.
Chairman Ford told the committee
that he had taken the matter up with
Mr.. Read and that the former auditor
had informed him that he had done
L., thu. hnnEa that he
was required to do and that he did
not propose to do any more.
Following some further discussion
of the matter. the committee author
lied Mr.. Blanton to finish up the
posting of the July business on the
books and to put the ledgeTs into
good condition up to July 81. 1910.
the. time Of the beginning Of the term
O. the present city auditor. This
work is to be done under the super
vision of the subcommittee and Mr..
RIantor IS to receive $50 for his ser
vices.
Errors in Bookkeeping.
The accounts report covers fifteen
typewriter pages. IL shows that in
the past three years many errors in
the bookkeeping have been made;
that the interest on one bond OF the
city for $1,000 was paid 80 months
before II was due. that errors were
made in some OF the pay rolls and
that there are no receipts for the
amounts paid out for jury service in
October and December. 1909. and that
the receipt for the s5s9.s4 paid the
American Sewer Pipe Company has
been lost The report also shows
: that the item OF SS.sSs.4i OF the