The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1922-06-03
No Leniency
To Be Given
Howard Smith

Il
identity but he stated that it was
eonfidential police information and at
shis time he would not feel justified
in giving it to the press as it might
interfere with some plans he had
already made.
Nobody else in the department
seems to know who the three men
are or where they have gone. other
than what they have read in the daily
papers. A careful checkup of the
men off duty fails to give any hint
as to who the three might be. Who
they are, or where they are, will prob
ably remain a mystery until they re-
turn to Bridgeport to make a verbal
report of their activities and success
in running down various clues that
they might have.
In the meantime all other channels
OF information as to his possible
whereabouts have been closed. The
police are believed to be the onIy ones
working on the case at the present
time, although a we1l-founded rumor
was current that friends of the miss
ing man had asked the aid of a private
detective agency in an attempt to To-
cate the man. Friends of his who it
was believed would have some knowI-
edge of such plan if it was conten-
plated when questioned this morning
stated that they knew absolutely
would rather their names be left out
OF the whole affair for the present.
The current report to the effect
that II Howard Smith, missing ex-tax
coIlector should return within three
weeks lenlency would be shown is
unfounded according to confirmation
this morning, since the power to be
len1ent lies wholly within the juris-
01ct1on of the prosecuting attorney.
The only matter concerning which
the City Attorney, representing the
city in the affair is concerned is in
obtaining money which has been os-
tensibly taken from the city. Con-
corning the report that there were
people who are known to have know
ledge of Smiths whereabouts it
would appear that no one has any in
formation that might be useful in
helping to locate Smith.
When asked this morning if he had
any information concerning the
whereabouts of the missing ex-tax
nell, Jr., said, Il most aSSured1y do
not know where he is and have no
information concerning him What I,
as city attorney am interested in, Is
in Obtaining the money that rightful-
~ belongs to the city.
AS to the leniency report, well, that
lies wholly within the province of
the prosecuting attorney; I should
presume, however, that the longer he
remains away, WITHOUT any explana-
ton concerning the Deficit the harder
1t might be for him. There might
be certain things that could be ex-
planned that would give an account
| ing for some of the money.
City Auditor Heating said this
morning that the most logical thing
to be dons now, is that Tax Collector
Drew send out bills to all people
who owe taxes. The presentation of
receipts by any people who have paid
| their taxes and who have not been
credited with having made payment
would disclose more money missing,
in the event that such a procedure
had been taken by Smith.
Thus far, according to Tax Col
lector Drew there have been three
people who have presented receipted
bills for payment of taxes who have
not been accredited with having made
| payment Another case that has
/ been presented to the Tax Collector
| is one wherein a person claims to
| have made payment of taxes for the
| list of 1919. but nave lost the re-
ceipt. No credit has been made of
payment. Two more people have
made inquiries concerning the status
/ OF their taxes. These are believed
to have been skeptics who wished
simply to know just where their ac-
count stood.
All like claims thus far have been
referred to Auditor Heating for cor
foboration by Tax Collector Drew.