Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1913-02-20
INTERVIEW WITH MAYOR
BELIEVES PUBLICATION OF CITY
FINANCES FOR TWELVE YEARS
JUST AND FAIR.

In accordance with the resolution
adopted at a recent meeting of the city
council to audit the city's books and fl
nancial transactions for the past twelve
years, Mayor A. B. Cole now has under
consideration propositions from two re-
putable auditing concerns of Dallas,
Houston and San Antonio. He expects
to close a contract with one or the other
within the next two or three days, and
will submit the contract to the council
for its approval at the meeting Monday
afternoon. The two men here are George
B. Kidd of Houston and San Antonio,
and Z. III. Gordon of f. H. Gordon and
company of Dallas. Propositions are
also under considerations from other
firms.
With reference to the firms represen-
ted by Mr.. Kidd and Mr.. Gordon, Mayor
Cole said this morning:
Both have made definite propositions
and tentative agreement of charges have
been made. Other men are also making
propositions. | have informed them Of
the scope of work to be done and the
city's financial condition, and have in
formed the men that an absolutely full
and complete report of the city's finan-
cial transactions for the past twelve
years is wanted, and it makes no differ
ence who is hit by the investigation.
1T is understood that whoever secures
the contract will begin the work at once
essary, on a per diem basis, to push the
work as fast as possible. The firms are
not able to say at this time how long it
will take to complete the investigation.
These men lave had many years exper-
fence in auditing city accounts. and are
probably the most expert at the work
and the most reliable in the state. The
Gordon concern has Audited the Waco
city books. and are now at work on the
Denison city books. The Kidd firm has
audited the books of Harris county and
those of Jefferson county.
Covering the length Of time that it
does, this work will necessarily be ex-
pSensive; but | am Of the opinion that
this is the only way to get a tax levy. 1t
is to the best interest of the city, and
the only way to protect fOrfcitures and
the general credit of the municipality.
In view of the ultimatum submitted by
Aldermen CobOlini, Kirk and Browne.
/ do not see any other way. | regret
the expenditure. but we nave to have q
tax levy.
I'VE will turn over all records to the
auditors, and no element of politics will
be allowed to enter into the matter. The
auditors are to report on whatever they
find, regardless of whom they hit. The
time 10 be covered by the investigation
will be from January 1, 1900, to date.
The taxpayers represented by Alder
men Cobolini. Kirk and Browne wanted
a financial report for the last fiscal year.
When that was submitted to them it
proved to be unsatisfactory, and they
then demanded a three year audit of the
Banker furnished the council a complete
city's books. Messrs. Mendenhall and
record for the fiscal year ending April
80. 1912. showing the operation and con
duct of the city's financial matters, and
an attempt to audit back of that | view
as entirely political, merely an excuse
20 withhold the tax levy, and at the
same time refIccting on the administra-
ton in power during those three years.
THE amendment submitted by Alder
man Cain to extend the audit over a per
iOd of twelve years instead of three, ap-
peared to be to be entirely fair, es-
pecially since there has been no publica-
ton of a financial report Of the city dur
ing all that time. Such a plan will
show how two city administrations have
conducted the city's affairs, and will let
The people know who have best and most
honestly managed the city'S affairs"
CATTLE IMPORTED.