The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-29
FORMAL CHARGE AGAINST LEHMAN IS EXPECTATION Report Of Grand Jury To Be Returned To Court
 Saturday Morning , PROBE WELCOMED
 BY COMMISSIONERS w. H. Glasgow Is Given Clean Slate By McLen--
 d0n-NO Indictment

W. H. Lehman, alleged to have con- fessed to the theft of $4,900 of city funds while clerk in the public i'm provement fund department, probably will be formally indicted on a charge of embezzlement by the Jefferson coun- ty grand jury when it reconvenes Sat urday morning after a One-day recess, according to persistent reports current at the courthouse and city hall late Friday afternoon.
 No additional indictments will be re- turned by the present grand jury in con- nection with the alleged disappearance of approximately $S,000 from the city treasury, unless startling disclosures are made Saturday morning, these rumors indicated, as the two or three other persons said to have been under not responsible for the shortages. How ever, it is understood that the present grand jury will recommend that it's successor, to be impaneled as soon as the law permits, continue the work it has begun but will be unable to finish.
 Probe Welcomed
 The investigation probably will be made to include the various depart ments of the city government, although official confirmation of this is lacking. However. county officials said they did not anticipate any startling disclosures of further irregularities in city finances, and indications are that it will be car ried out largely to give an official and definite o. k. to the city departments to prevent and forestall charges of graft and corruption.
 Prominent officials in the city ad- ministration expressed willingness to have such an investigation made of their departments and expressed them selves as anxious to assist in it. Presi- dent D. E. McLendon of the city con- mission said he would welcome the grand jury's probe into the conduct of his department, and was sure every bureau would be found in good condi- tion when an audit is made of it's books. Comptroller c. E. Armstrong expressed a similar attitude and added that he had already begun an investiga- tion of his own department to place the blame for whatever shortages may be found.
 Glasgow 0. K.
 Reports that the resignation of W. Fl. Glasgow would be asked for late Friday afternoon were found to be without foundation. President Me Lendon said Friday night that he did not think any serious shortages would be found in his department, if any at all, and added that he had no reason, so far as he knew, to demand his resig- nation.
 Although NJ. A. Dinsmore, Birming- ham attorney, entered a formal protest Friday morning against c. Palmer Par. ker, certified public accountant, em, ployed by the city to audit the records of the public improvement fund de- pertinent, city commissioners held a meeting Friday afternoon and decided to ignore the protest, although indicat- ing that they would be glad to have A second audit made if desired.
 We are not anxious to dictate as to who shall check up the city records, '' said President McLendon, after the meeting. "The selection of an auditor IS of little importance to us. We had reason to think Mir. Parker was a good auditor; so we employed him. We have no objection to letting the grand jury appoint an auditor if it wishes"
 To Retain Parker
 MT. Parker said Friday night that he was at work on the books in the comptroller's department but would be unable to say how much the total shortage would amount to until after a complete check had been made. He added that he expected to continue tn audit unless objected to by members of the city commission.
 It is understood that the commis- sioners decided by a practically unan- imous vote Friday afternoon to retain him.
 Unless unforeseen developments ap- pear Saturday morning, the grand jury IS expected tObe in session only a short time. A week must elapse between its adjournment and the calling of it's sue cessOr, during which time the audit of city records is expected to be completed and county officials may continue their inVestigatiOn unhfficiollv