Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-06-17
WATER CLERK IS
ORDERED To MAKE
SHORTAGE COCO
Criminal Action May Be Taken
Against Nutley Official if
S2,li8.83 Isn't Returned.

Criminal action against water Clerh
Newton woodruff, Of Nutley. may he
started by the Nutley Town Council il
he clerk does not make good before
the next meeting the shortage of s2,S-
1855 which is said to exist in his wa
ter accounts. Woodruff was put
through a grilling examination last
night by Town Attorney ]. Harry Hull.
in which he admitted many of the AL
legations against him and then re-
signed.
The discovery of the shortage was
made by Edwin Probert. an expert
who audited the books of the water de-
partment. Mr.. Probert said that he
had discovered a shortage of $1,000 for
the year 1910, and that $500 more was
missing for a time HINGE then.
In conducting his Investigation Mr..
Probert struck a snag in the person
of Town Collector DR.. A. H. Van Ripen,
who refused to hand over his bank
book. The collector explained last night
that he did not recognize the right OF
the auditor to ask for the book.
Mr.. Woodruff while acknowledging a
shortage in the water department, did
not appear to realize his position, and
of all present he appeared the coolest.
In reply to Town Attorney j. Harry
of the auditor, the clerk replied that
the findings were practically correct.
In his statement he said that he not
only intended to tangle up the finances
of the water department, but had got
into the habit of depositing the col
lection taken in at his house and at
his Newark office and depositing them
in his own bank. All collections taken
III at the water clerks oMce at the
Town Hail., he said, we're deposited in
the Bank of Nutley and the. accounts
had become mixed. In acknowledging
a shortage practically amounting to
81, 900, he claimed that the outstanding
water bills should be taken into con-
sideration. This, he said, would with
moneys collected, make the amount due
the town, s2,118.S3.
In a statement last night the clerk
said his accounts up until January l,
were balanced, but at the quarter end
ing February 10, he was So, 343. SO short.
Deducting from this amount the $1,225f
paid over at the last meeting, he still
owed s2,11S.S3. Town Attorney Hull
said that the clerk according to the
auditors report, had taken the water
collections for the quarter ending May
10 to make good the shortage on Feb
ruary II. This would make the shortage
practically $4,000.
Mr.. Hull asked if this was not a
fact. Woodruff replied that 1T was
practically correct. Mr.. Hull asked the
clerk II he could make good the ST.
1883 on or before the next meetfng. of
the council, and Woodruff thought he
could. When asked il he had any Sc
curity to that ekect, Woodruff replied
that he had none. He was Informed
that the surety company, who were on
his bond, had been notified of the au-
ditor's report and of the shortage. but
just what further action would be
taken in the matter could moi be de-
Tcided at present.
Mayor John P. Lux then asked
Woodruff if he was prepared to tender
his resignation as water clerk. Wood
ruff said he was. Please put it in
writing" said the mayor, land 1t will
be accepted" Woodruff rendered his
resignation, to take effect at once, and
he waas requested to turn over to the
town clerk any property of the town
that might be in his possession. Wood
ruff replied that he would do so. On
motion of Councilman Matthew j. Call
ahan the business of the water depart
ment was placed in the hands of the
water committee until such time that
a new water clerk is appointed.
The meeting was further e~niivened
by the refusal Of DR.. A. H. Van Ripper
to submit the bank books pertaining to
the tax collectors Office. DIR. Van
Ripper, who is tax collector, decided to
submit the bank books for the auditors
examination, Wednesday night, claim
ing that az the town council did not
designate whether the collections
should be deposited and did not assume
any of the responsibility. He did nos
think 1t had any right to the bank
book. Last night he again refused to
turn the book over Councilman Arthur
r. Carr then moved that the neces-
sary steps be taken to obtain the bank
book.
General dissatisfaction was expressed
with several other departments after
the water matter and the collection
refusal was cleared III.
Max P. Kaufman, town accountant,
was sent for n questioned closely
as to when he had learned of the Short
age in the water department, and why
he had not informed the council Of the
facts in the case Kaufman replied
that he first learned Of the shortage
then the auditor was making up his
report, n that while he had felt that
all was not right he had no assurance
OF the fact, as he had no access to the
water clerks books. When questioned
further as to whether he had given out
the figures to those outside of the coun-
Gil, he replied that he had not done
so. Mr.. Woodruff came to Kaufman's
rescue by acknowledging that he had
given the figures showing the amount
Of shortage to the newspapers.
Auditor Probert and the Mayor had
a tilt over the bank books of the tax
collector. Probert said he had called
attention of former Mayor Wilson G.
hierstead six years ago about the book
IN question. Later, two years ago he
had spoken to Mayor Lux, and he had
been told that the book could not be
obtained.
GU did not call my attention as
Mayor to the MATER said Mayor Lux.
You y re Mayor Of the town, and 1t
is not for me to tell you as to what you
should do" answered Mr.. 1robert.
lO OBSERVE ARCANUM FLAG DAY.
LongfelloW Councij No 675 ROYAL