The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-28
ASSERT M DONALD
ONLY GOT S4,115
FOR WHOLE WORK
Utility Commissioners State
That Engineer Received
Small Pay For 20 Months
of Valuable Work
STATE CAPITAL BUREAU l
THE GE-HERALD
Montgomery. Ain. Jan. n !


I. f. Mcdonald, consulting engl-
neer of the public service commission
during the 20 months of the invesu-
cation regarding the valuation of the
property of the Alabama Power COM
pany, charged S10,U5921 to the COM
rany for the services of himself and
his assistants, according to a state
ment made public this afternoon by
the public service commission The
statement was issued following
charges that Mr.. Mcdonald had rem
dered statements which covered more
than a just allowance made by attor-
neys for the Alabama Power com
pany.
The commission statement was
signed by A. G. Patterson, president
of the commission. and H. F. Lee and
Frank P. Morgan, associate COM
missioners. Mr. Mcdonald was dis
charged by the associate commission
ers who retired from office January
Is, and the new commission an
nounced that it felt the statement
should be issued since Mr.. Mcdonald
has been returned to his position.
Net Revenue $9,O06.72
The investigation of Mr.. McDon-
AIDS account was made by Mayer W.
Aldridge, the commissions account
ant. The statement showed that Mr.
McDonald's net revenue during 20
months covering services in all valu-
alton cases, was $9096.72, and that
of this amount he charged only
$4,115.67 against the Alabama Power
company for his services in checking
the valuation made by other engi-
neers.
Gross receipts of Mr.. Mcdonald
during the 20 months covering serv-
Ices and expenses of himself and as
sistants were s23,S56.O7. Expenses
took $9,911.0S of this amount, leaving
gross revenue of s13,944.99. Then
came deduction of $4,S4S2 7 cover
ing office expense, equipment, de-
probation, etc, which left a net reve-
nue. of $9,O96.72 for the 20 months
covered by the employment of Mr..
Mcdonald.
OF the total amount of gross re-
ceipts during the 20 months the AID
bama Power company was charged
with $10,059.21. Direct expenses took
$3,S99.21 of this amount, which left
gross revenue from the work on the
Alabama Power company valuation
of $3.50.
covering office expense, equipment
depreciation on instruments, etc,
which left net revenue of s4,115.67
received by Mr.. Mcdonald for his
work in checking the valuation of the
Alabma Power company.
Statement in Full
1T has come to the attention of
the members of the public service
commission that there has been COM
ment and some criticism of the ac-
ton of the commission in re-employ>
ing 1. f. Mcdonald as consulting en-
gineer for the commission" said the
statement. THE commission has care
fully examined character, qualifica-
lions and equipment of Mr.. McDon-
aid. He is native-born Albanian,
n graduate of Auburn, both bachelor
of science and electrical mechanical
engineering. He has had % years
practical experience and in the judg-
ment of the commission is in every
way qualified to fill the position to
which he has been unanimously
elected.
Amy compensation which Mr.. Nc
Donald can receive must under the
law be approved by the governor of
Alabama, just as all compensation
heretofore paid him has been APP
proved by the governor.
In explanation of the erroneous
statement that has been made re-
Gently, printed and circulated regard
ing the amount OF money paid Mr..
Mcdonald by the state for services
performed, the commission sets out
a detailed account of the amount paid
him for the services stated, his ex-
penses incident thereto and the net
returns to him, as certified by a GER
tilted public accountant.
Among other duties, Mr.. McDon-
aid has done large amount of util-
ity valuation work. This work has
required assistance, office and tech
nical equipment, and the gross
amount paid him represents in part
compensation paid to necessary as
sistants, engineers, travelling and
other necessary expenses, of which
the statement is fully explanatory"