New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1915-09-25
SUBERBELLE'S REPLY.
New Iberia, La, Sept. %, Is.

given below as a reply to tn
criticisms made by Mr.. II. }
Smith, in his report Of the audi
of the Department Of Finance O
the City:
With reference to Exhibit 9
wherein Auditor Smith, makes thu
statement that special tax collec
tons have been used for pur
poses other than for which they
were intended, [ desire to state
that none of the funds shown IL
this Exhibit have been diverted
The School. Canal. n. I. & n. R. r
and Trolley taxes have either beer
liquidated in full, or will be liz
Undated in full. Just as soon as the
balance of 1914 taxes are fully
collected. The amount of cash or
hand, and the amount Of unpaid
taxes and licenses. June 30th, will
more than cover the balance due
| Tor THESE taxes.
Exhibit No. II.
With reference to unpaid bal
ance due on saloon licenses, | de-
sire to advise that time allowed
some of the saloon keepers, to pay
licenses, was authorized unani-
mously by the Board Of Trustees.
Had time not been given in the
cases cited, the City would have
lost at least $4,000 in license rev.
enue. The action of the Trustees
in the premises apparently justi-
fes the charge that favoritism
was shown to some, but the same
consideration and time for pay
ment would very likely have been
extended to others, who might
have asked the concession
/ Exhibit No II.
! With reference to the amount
of unpaid taxes shown at the close
of business, June 3Oth, I desire
to call attention to the fact, that
the sale Of property for delinquent
taxes did not take place until
July 10th, which is the reason
for the unusually plarge amount
of unpaid taxes shown. AS to
the property Of those whose taxes
were unpaid and not advertised
for sale, I desire to say that of
! the number who requested me to
Withhold the advertisement of their
property, eleven. failed to paw at
the close of business, June Goth.
/ T appreciate that my action in the
matter creates the impression Of
favoritism, and this charge will
! have to remain recorded against
me. Some of the taxes, however,
appearing unnaid, were held out
! for legal. or other good reasons.
Exhibit No. 20.
With reference to the operat-
ing gains of the Light, Power &
Water department, l desire to
state that the charter makes it
incumbent upon me to ascertain
the proper value Of the services
rendered to the City by this De-
partment, and I will, at the end
of the fiscal year, December 3lst,
1915. make a proper estimate OF
such services. With reference to
Mr.. Smiths comment, that the
| profits of this department would
have been larger than shown by
| my books, had / made proper en-
tries, I desire to state that as a
| matter of fact the profits of this
department. should be less than
shown. for the reason that certain
expenditures for wire. poles. and
other material were charged to
"Bond b. account. when these
items should properly have been
charged to Repairs and Mainten-
ance.
Exhibit No. 81.
With reference to errors in this
Exhibit, | desire to state that most
of these errors, which were made
by clerks in my department, and
not by me, have been corrected.
Exhibit No. %.
With reference to erroneous
meter refunds, as claimed by
Auditor Smith, / desire to state
that in all eases where meter de-
posits have been refunded. they
were so refunded on authorize
ton of the Trustees of Public
Property, and if any money so re-
funded was made in error my de-
partment is not blamable for such,
for the reason that every one
having meter installed in his
premises, is supposed to have
made the required and invariable
deposit for the meter. Outside
of one double payment made, !
iEnnu- &C No arr1r 49,,