Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-17
TREAsURER's ACCOUNTS
ALLEGED TO Be SHORT
|, Apparent Discrepancy in Books Of
Washington County Official Is Be-
ing Investigated.
HE MAKES EMPHATIC DENIAL
John o. Bradley Claims He Has
Charged No Commissions Greater
Than Those Always Allowed by
Hoard-Ohicial Report on Monday.
Special to- Tho TImns-plsnntch.1

n.
ABINGDON. VA, March 16.--A dis
vrtpancy. said to amount 10 many
thousands OF dollars--possibly SCI 900
~ alleged to have been discovered I'm
inc books OF John O. Bradley. for many
Years treasurer of Washington County
An auditor, employed by the Board OF
Supervisors. has been engaged I'm going
over the books for the past seven
months and. while he refuses to dis
cuss his alleged discoveries. his official
report Will be made at a meeting OF
Tho board on Monday. and II is known
hat the apparent discrepancy Will be
laid before that body.
MIR. Bradley to-day took notice OF
ne well-dcfined rumor that he is short
Stl.oOO In his accounts and. in an Inter
'!ew. issued most emphatic denial.
The report OF a shortage In my ac
counts is not true" said Mr.. Bradley
An auditor Is going over my books
whether he gave out information do
not know. All can say IL that he has
been going over my books, but has not
gone over the unsolicited tax warrants
IN my ofIico, nor has he gone over this
ears accounts. have engaged coun-
sell"
Mr.. Bradley has retained Attorneys
Hutton & Hutton. and White. Penn &
Penn. to look after his interests. while
tne BOARD OF Supervisors has engaged
NJ Is. Honnker 10 assist Common
that may be taken after the alleged
shortage is formally laid before the
board
Assistant State Accountant Surber is
mere now auditing the books, and 1t Is
stated that his investigation will cover
period extending back TO 1899.
II Ia said by those IN touch with tho
.nvestigation that Treasurer bradley
"!ll he charged with having cxucted
10" much commission. lie has II is
alleged. made separate accounts Of the
monies due the State, county and
moods. and has charged n commiss ion
OF per cent on tho first $4,000 in
each fund. with 3 IL per cent on the
residue OF each. This. the accountant
rs said to claim. is illegal The treas
Hr"r. he says, should have aggregated
nc three funds. charging his commits
SION or 3 per cent on the first S25 900
ana 3 l-2 per cent on the remainder
During the fourteen years this pra ctice
is said 10 have existed IL has made a
hHcTcnc" in commissions of from 81 600
70 Sl.5OO year. as tho gross taxes for
Washington County amount 10 more
Than 800. 600 q year.
" his last settlement in july. 1914.
treasurer Bradley showed that he had
~ hand funds for all purposes amount
'"S to $4,000 1t is said that the ac-
renntant contends that the amount in
hand should have been $1,000.
treasurer bradley has made annual
settlement with tho Board OF Sunnr
yisors ever since he has been in o;,,ro
iie Is said TO contend that the commits
lions allowed 10 him are no different
from what they have been since tho
of'ice OF county treasurer was cstab-
hshcd. He has. he says. charged no
more and no less than tho county treas
hrers who have preceded him. He Will
claim, IL IL said. that he IS entitled 10
what tho Board OF Supervisors has AL
lowed him year by year in his annual
settlements. Ills friends claim that
when the matter is laid before tho
supervisors ohicialiE on Monday. Treas
tTcr bradley VIII not accept tn" report
- the accountant. hut Is prepnred 70
carry II into tho courts