The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-07-23
SICK MAYOR
May BE HERE
FOR SESSION
DR.. Zimmerman May Attend
Special Session Called to
Inquire Into Conduct and
Actions.
z OF MEMBERS STICK

When council meets in special ses-
sion Friday evening" for the purpose
Of inquiring into the conduct and
actions of Mayor W. w Zimmerman"
there is a probability that the mayor
will occupy the presiding officers
chair, according to a report received
Friday by city officials. The mayor
has been a patient at an Oxford, O.,
sanitarium for about a week.
The question of instituting impeach-
ment proceedings against Mayor Zim-
norman will be thoroughly discussed
at the council meeting.
John K. Peltz, member Of the board
OF public works, stated Friday that
pressure was being brought to bear
on w. N. johnson, president Of the
Auto Sheet Metal Works, to accept
board to succeed Harry w. Gilbert,
board president, who submitted his
resignation Thursday, to become ef-
fecuve August 1.
Was Former Member
Mr. Johnson served as board
member for a time under the present
administration. He resigned some
months ago for business reasons and
was succeeded by Mr.. Gilbert.
1t is also understood that Ray x.
Shiveley has been offered the appoint
ment Of city attorney to succeed By
ram G. Robbins, who also rendered his
resignation Thursday.
1t is understood that both Mr. John
son and Mr.. Shiveley have taken the
offers made to them under advisement.
Two VIII Stick
Mr., Peltz and the Democratic mem
Der OF the board of public works, T.
c. Taylor both stated Friday that
their designations. Il don't intend to
time to quit" Mr.. Taylor said. Il
don't intend to resign under fire" said
Mr.. Peltz.
Both these board members took ex-
ceptions to remark made Thursday
by President Gilbert at the board
meeting that he was surprised by the
facts set forth in a report submitted
by City Controller Bescher showing
that deficit existed in the general
fund Of the municipal electric plant
L
clared Friday that Controller Bescher
had frequently called to the atten.
tion of Mr.. Gilbert and the other board
members the necessity Of strict
economy in the management Of the
municipal plant affairs, and had warn.
ed them that a deficit was impend.
ing.
Sees Some Hope.
While the finances of the municipal
plant have now reached the lowest
ebb in the plants history, City Con
troller Bescher is confident that con.
ditions will be- stabilized by the last
of August as result Of the increase
in rates. retroactive to July l, recently
authorized by the state utilities com
mission.
That the increases in revenue for
the municipal plant have not been pro
vided any too soon is indicated by
the fact that on July Is there had
been expended 43,256.O4 Of the 1926
pay roll appropriation of $4,000.
What Books Show.
Records at the controllers office
also show that there was a balance OF
30,S25.33 in the general fund of tho
plant, January 1. 1920, but from that
date to June 80, receipts totaled $40.
522.46 against total disbursements fol
| the same period of S191, 1857.
The actual excess of disbursements
over receipts, not including the bal
ance in the general fund, Jan. !. fol
the first six months Of this year
amounted to S21,394.51. The dis
bursements include final payment or
the office building of the municipal
plant, on South Eighth street, of S3,87I
and the payment of $3.50 into the
sinking fund.
When the board of public works met
! Thursday to consider bills due against
the plant on that date, the controller
reported that the plant lacked approx
imately $9,70e of having enough tc
meet it's bills. This deficit was re
duced by s6,072 before the close Of the
day, through collections.