The Detroit times., 1912-03-29
PERMISSION TO CONTINUE
AUDIT OF FREIGHT FIGURES
is REFUSED BY BROOKS
Continues from First Page,

enlisting the services OF the commits.
sion In making a new one.
City Accountant Bullock and his
assistant. A. E. Chambers, first stated
that no distractions had been put in
their way when they undertook to
confirm Mr.. Brooks figures showing
the gross earnings of the system.
Chairman Littlefield then brought UP
the question of allowing the account
ant to obtain the net earnings and
figures to show practically all the
business done and the relation OF the
Electric Depot Co., to the ID. u. r.
"Is 1t possible to get at the net
earnings?' asked Littlefield
II can suggest a way for this CON-
mittee to get anything IL wants" re-
Piled Mr.. Brooks. First, would like
to state that was asked IL there
were any objection to my permitting
your accountant to verify the figures
I submitted showing the gross earn
ings OF the business. Every facility
was afforded him TO do the work.
Then came this series OF funny ques-
tfeHsTT eeliIdRt understand some of
them or what earthly advantage they
are to you. Now, there is a perfectly
orderly way provided by law which
will result in definite findings for you
IL you want to arrive at the cost Of
the business. Under the law the state
railroad commission is authorized to
make any investigation the city may
want. These questions. however, do
not seem to get at the root OF the mat
ter. To conduct an audit TO determine
the real cost OF the business would
involve the handling OF millions OF
sheets and take anywhere from six to
IL months time
Have you any objection to our 60
ing down there and making such an
audit" inquired Aid. Hindle.
The work would involve enormous
detail" replied Mr.. Brooks. 1T would
seriously interrupt our routine work.
Our men cannot be interrupted by
some one coming IN to get such I'm
formation as asked here. 1t would
need a big force of men TO accomplish
such an audit and our work would be
interfered with. We are perfectly
willing you should have such informa-
tien as you desire IL you obtain Il
through the lawful channels. The
state railroad commission can take
our books at any time and do this
work. The law gives them that pow
err"
Hindle at once suggested calling
in the railroad commission, but Lit
tlefeld put this question:
When did the railroad commits
sion last make an audit or appraisal
Of the equipment used in the express
business?"
Two years ago the question OF
milk rates came up and an appraisal
was made at that time replied Mr..
Brooks. IF you want the cost of the
business. bear In mind. you must ex-
tend your inquiry into the entire sys-
TEN. That would require examina-
ton Of the records and books in other
cities and I don't think the council
would want to send force OF men to
cities all over the entire system,
which would be necessary to obtain
figures to show the exact cost OF the
express business"
The committee understood from
Mr. Brooks that I'm determining n
license fee for freight cars II would
be necessary for the committee to
determine the proper rate. TO be
charged for expressing. and the COM
mission is the only body having the
right to change rates.
Suppose you just let us look at
your books on the local business, =
suggested Hindle.
II wouldn't want you TO 60 only
part OF the way" replied Mr. Brooks.
You would necessarily have TO fol-
low II out 10 other points. something
which would involve an enormous
amount Of work and require us to
make ar order TO all these points
where YOU required the information.
IL would require $4,000 for you to
have work OF such magnitude proper
ly performed II the commission per.
forms II IL would result in something
official. II might result in developing
the fact that the rates are now too
low, In which case the public would
have to submit to an increase"
VIII you let us go on with this
audit3" asked Thompson. bluntly.
n want you to get the entire In.