Los Angeles herald., 1910-12-06
WASHBURN SCORED.
BY CITY AUDITOR
Myers Declares His Statement of
Aqueduct Balance Was 'Ab-
SoIuteIy Correct

Councilman w. j. Washburn is
sharply rebuked in a communication
the city auditor will send to the council
today. Mr. Myers answers certain
charges that were made by Mr.. Wash
burn when he arose to q question of
personal privilege last Tuesday and
read statement on aqueduct finances.
in which some criticism was made of
certain figures on the same subject that
had been furnished by the auditor.
Mr.. Myers says that he does not un-
derstand some of the remarks made by
Mr.. Washburn, as they were not &C
companied by specifications, and invites
Mr.. Washburn to make the specifica-
tions. Mr.. Myers says:
At the session OF your honorable body held
on November 20, 1t appears that one of
your members felt called upon to make an
address under the cloak of personal prlvi-
lege, the principal object Of which ap-
peared to be to discipline and discredit the
city auditor and the mayor The state
lnents were such that this office stands
indicted with having willfuly or Ignorant
ly given out false information. 1t has done
neither. The inference is that certain fig
ures published in some of the newspapers
OF this city on the 2Srd ultimo had IN
fiuenced and misIed a majority of the city
council on the 23rd when It had failed to
approve a proposition OF Kountze Bros. ana
A. b. Leach & Co. asking for new and
modified option contract upon the remain
ing unissued auueduct bonds as recon-
mended by the finance committee and ad-
visory committee. but which was opposed by
Differences Of opinion often exist between
the best eintentioned and most capable men,
and. far as know. no Improper motive
could be attributed to any member OF the
council for his position on the matter OF re-
arranging tho aqueduct finances.
A. question ofN personal privilege always
suggests that the personal or official con-
duet or acts Of the individual have been
subjected to misrepresentation or unwar-
ranted criticism.
No such instances were cited: neither
could there have been any relating to any
member of the city council emanating from
the city auditor. In the address IL was
declared that 'in this matter all sorts or
inaccurate and misleading statements have
been made" The opinion was expressed
that some members Of the council had
been misled by wholly Inaccurate ngures
give us information" 1t was also alleged
that 'intemperate language has been In
dulged in in this matter
In answer to these questions. IL they re-
late to the auditors office. l must ois-
claim any knowledge as to what is referred
70, and in tho absence OF specifications must
in all candor assert that they cannot truth
fully be applied to this office, Certainly
there could be reason for giving out fig
ures and statements that cannot be verified
by any one who wishes to see the records
The charge was made that the auditor
had overstated the cash balance In the
aqueduct fund TO the extent OF S45s,S6b
The interview reIefreu 70 appeots ~
been printed In the evening papers or NO NO
veuber 2s, which stated that ACCORDING
TO THE BOOKS" OF tine auditors office
there was in the aqueduct fund a balance of
$S62.s2511.
This statement was absolutely correct
and the books are open to inspection to any
official OF citizen who will take the trouble
TO call at the office. When any figures
have been given as to aqueduct balances 20
any member OF the council or other persons
il has been specifically stated that there
was a considerable sum OF outstanding de-
mands and obligations Of tho aqueduct pu-
reau which cannot be entered on our books
until they reach this office in the regular
manner This condition has existed since
soon after the commencement OF the aque-
dunt construction and as is we'll known.
will surely continue for some time after
it's actual completion.
Exception taken to plan which I