Evening star., 1932-02-24

ever, that the bonding company prob
ably would not take any action until
completion of the audit by the State
auditors Office, which would leave the
county treasury financially embarrassed
and in serious condition for at least
o month unless the funds are borrowed.
Denied Discrepancy.
When the shortage first was discov-
cred, authorities said, Ball was called
before the Board of Commissioners on
three different occasions for an ex-
planation, but each time he vigorously
denied a discrepancy existed in his ac-
counts. Ball insisted, it was declared,
that general funds of the county show
ed a balance of $4,000.
Prior to the audit by the firm OF
James Stuart Ball of Washington,
county officials said there had been
only two audits of Balls accounts in
the past four years-one by the county
about four years ago and the second by
the State about l8 months ago.
After discovery of the alleged short
age, the board of commissioners issued
the following statement:
"On February /, 1882, the semi-an-
nual interest on school bonds issued IN
1924, together with some $4,000 OF
these bonds. which had reached retire
ment period, were duly presented Tor
payment to the paying agent. SufhclenV
funds not being in hand, payment was
refused.
Governor Notified.
This matter was first brought to the
attention of the board by a letter re-
ceived on February II by IT'S chairman
from representatives of the bondholders.
The failure of the treasurer to deposit
with the paying agent sum sutt1clent
to meet these payments (about $22,OOO)
aroused the fears of the board and an
investigation was Immediately begun,
the result of which seemed to confirm
these fears The representative of the
bonding company was notified on Satur-
day. February 20, and Tuesday morn
ing the Governor of Virginia was also
advised of the seriousness Of the situa-
ton and was requested that he have
the auditor of the public accounts take
over the Office at once.
The financial interest of the coun-
ty is fully protected by bond of the
Fidelity & Deposit Co. Of Maryland"
Ball has been treasurer of Arling-
opposed in the last election, in Novem-
ber.
Prior to his election as treasurer
he served for four years as deputy
treasurer. He is Democrat.
The county treasurer is one of four
Offices which remained elective under
the county-manger plan which went
into effect in Arlington County Janu-
ary last.
County Treasurer Ball is brother of
former State Senator Frank L. Ball
ad has been elected to the position
Of treasurer seven times.
Orders Complete Audit.
County Manager Roy S. Braden an
nounced this morning that he would
demand an audit made of all county
oficeS in an effort TO determine whether
or not there has been any other irregu-
larity.
The first recommendation I made
upon assuming Office on January ! was
that a complete audit Of all Offices be
made" he declared. "I shall now in
sist that the County Board order this
DONE
Telephone calls from persons to
whom approximately $4,000 in war
rants for outside labor and other bills
were authorized by the county board
at its meeting last Saturday swamped
Braden's office all morning. The war
rants were refused payment at the
county treasurer's ONCE as a result Of
the alleged shortage, 1t was said.