The Detroit times., 1917-07-10
No Way of Checking
Taxes On Bonds and
Land Contracts
CLERKS BOOKS
THE ONLY RECORD
Officials Still Side-Step
In the Matter of
Prosecution

Just how much more than si6.402
Of the peoples money was taken
from the Wayne county treasury
thru the alleged populations OF An.
thony j. kloka. former mortgage tax
clerk, may never become known, &C
cording 10 County Auditor Charles
A. Buhrer
Time alone may tell how much in
taxes on bonds and land contracts
was taken. as the books kept by
Kloka are the only record In the
possession OF the county. Taxes
on mortgages can be checked in the
ONCE OF the register OF deeds, where
the mortgage records are fled.
Instances arc coming 20 light. ac.
cording 10 the auditors. which show
thai persons and business houses.
including banks. forwarded checks
10 the treasurer's Office IN payment
OF taxes on bonds and land contracts
for which no entry can be found on
the books These cases have been
exposed onlS after the persons or
firms which paid demanded 10 know
why they had not received their
certificate or receipt. One hank
had mailed check last May and
had received no acknowledgment oil
its receipt
Meanwhile. Kloka Is still at large
while various county officials are
insisting that they are doing their
fun duty 10 the people None OF
them. however. has reflected the
sentiment Of the average taxpayer
which demands that prompt action
be taken in furnishing the person or
persons who have been responsible
for the plundering OF the public's
strong box.
Assistant Prosecutor Harry b.
Keidan. who has handled the treas
ury scandal for Prosecutor Charles
". Jasnowsk thru the latters Ill
ness. declares that the facts in the
case have not been marshaled INTO
the shape required before prgsecu-
ton Is begun II Is SAID. however,
that warrant may be issued today.
tho no positive promise TO this Ell
feet has been made.
Kloka. according 10 some OF his
friends. is paying for the title or
good fellow" with his reputation.
Irony" Kloka. among county build
ing politicians, was known as An
ever-ready helper 10 those in need.
II Is generally admitted that he loan
ed modest sums. such as $50 or SioO
10 friends whose security consisted
of a paper bearing the popular let
tiers l. O. u. In some instances, "
Is reported that loans ranging into
the thousands were made. but this
Is vigorously denied by the auditors.
who declare the daily cash balance
report given them made such irreg1-
larities impossible.
IF the cash balance showed that
$50 or 500 more or less was kept
in the treasury as cash on hand.
to make change and pay minor &C.
counts in cash. II might escape US.
explaincd Auditor Buhrer. But We
could easily see whether thousands
OF dollars were held back. The Iu,.
NOR that a certain big politician GOV
IS 900 from the treasury on loan
IL unfounded. This grew out OF the
fact that his check for this amoum
was found in tho offlce and was no,
accounted for. The check was left
in payment Of taxes The amount
of taxes had not been computed
when this man called. so he left a
check in round numbers TO cover
the probable amount"
Mr. Buhrer and his colleague stih
maintain they did what they thought
best for the public interest when
they suppressed news Of the short
age from Doc 20 until last Saturday
II advised with both the prose
cutor and the attorney general" said
Buhrer. land they agreed with me
that II would ne best 10 keep the
matter quiet while we tried TO