Evening journal., 1911-06-23
NOW SEEK TO
GUST AUDITOR
Desperate Democrats After
Scalp Of Mr. Kurtz, Who
Wouldn't "Line Up
PROCEEDINGS TO
BE STARTED TONIGHT

loNlhnl 20 lupedCH Olly AuulloI JUN
ID. Kurtz. The initial move was
made at the meeting of Council last
night when Mr.. Kane, chairman OF
the finance committee, introduced a
resolution calling upon the City Audi
tor to appear before that body tonight
ana show cause why penalties should
not be imposed upon him.
Il is evident that the Democratic
members propose TO get even" with
the City Auditor for the stand he has
taken with respect to the distribution
of the funds of the recent bond issue
of 1885, 900.
1t was said that the Democratic
members even went so far as TO at
tempt to induce a Republican mem-
ber of Council to vote with them TO
impeach the Auditor, a two-third vote
being required to accomplish this, the
Democrats lacking Just one of that
number. They were not successful,
however, and now The only real seri-
GUS thing that could happen would
be the suspension of the City Auditor
for the remainder of his term, which
could be done by a majority vote,
which the Democrats have.
Mr.. Kurtz Present
Mr.. Kutrz had received notice from
Council to appear before that body
last night and he did, but what was
said and done occurred behind closed
doors in the Mayors private office.
Council, after hearing the minutes of
the last four or five meetings read,
took a recess and It was in that time
that Mr. Kurtz was called into the
Mayors room before the Democratic
members of the body. Not long after
Mr.. Kurtz rushed from the ROOM It
was plain to be seen that he was
angry, but he refused TO discuss what
went on. II was later learned that
as soon as the Auditor appeared in
the room the Democratic Councilmen
began to ply him with questions, but
the Auditor didn'a like this action,
and withdrew. slamming the door
with some force.
Ii was some time before the
Council re-convened, and in the mean
time the resolution TO start the GUST
ing proceedings was prepared. Be
fore this resolution was read, how
ever. a letter from the City Auditor,
dealing with the finances and bal
ances to the credit Of certain funds,
was read. It follows:
Auditor Kurtz's Letter.
The President and Members of Coun-
Gil,
Gentlemen:
In accordance with the action of
Council at a special meeting held on
June 1eth, the various transfers. as
shown by the vouchers received, have
been entered on the books of this
Office. with the exception Of the
voucher drawn in favor Of the Union
National Bank for $4,000 amount
TO reimburse bank for purchased city
bonds"
This voucher is evidently in error
as to the purpose for which IL is
drawn. Voucher 4OS7. covered by
checks 1868 to 1912, was drawn to
take up $4,000 of Water Bonds due
on May 1. 1911. and these entries
were passed through the books, and
the voucher herewith returned is
really to reimburse the bank for the
$50. 900 temporarily advanced to the
city on May 20, 1911.
I respectfully request that the ex-
planatory part of the voucher be
amended TO fit the facts.
would also call to your attention
the omission of a voucher for the pay
ment Of the $4,000 of Water Bonds
due on June 1st. Unless this is done
and check for same is issued, the pay
ment of these bonds cannot be shown
in this years accounts.
With reference to the transfer of
the premium on the Street & Sewer
bonds from the special account to the
current account. this Office can do
nothing without formal action of the
Street and Sewer Department
With reference to the transfer of the
premium on the bonds issued for the
purchase and improvement OF parks
and Fairgrounds to the current ac-
count if the Council is satisfied as to
its legality, in the absence of any
judicial decision to the contrary, this
office recognizes the transfer.
With reference to the transfer from
the Park Fund to the Current Ac-
count of the value of the land bought
that is outside OF the city limits. that
Is in direct defiance Of the provision
in Section / of the Act authorizing the
loan. and is illegal
All these transfers and payments
that have heen made ana entered
could have been done much more ex-
peditiously and with infinitely less
trouble if the papers had been sent
in an orderly manner; and the as
sumptions as to the action Of the Aud
Tor, as implied by the action of Coun-
cE. and the statement of fact in the
resolution, are both at variance with
the truth and not in accordance with
a sense of fair dealing.
The following vouchers are return
ed: Simon F. Moran, S25; Cahill e.
Co., $3.50. Total, S30.90
Both are chargeabie to the Fire Ap-
preparation, and there is balance Of
only $5.35 to the credit of that ac-
count
James H. Morris, S242.52.
This is chargeable to the Tax Office,
and the balance to the credit of that
account is only $915. Check to cover
this voucher is also returned.
! also return herewith check No.
1902, TO the order of Whiteford & HUFF
for $3.50. This is a duplicate of No.
7780. and is made out IN error, ac-
cording to the vouchers sent to this
ONCE for payment.
Respectfully submitted,
John d. Kurtz, City Auditor
On motion Of Mr.. Kane the com
munication was referred to the
finance committee.
Resolution After Auditor.
Mr. Kane then presented his resolu-
tion. II follows
Wharaan The Cn...,clI "a ~ IL.