Evening star., 1932-02-25
Governor, Legislature and
School Boards Move
to Extend Aid.
BANK OFFERS TO LEND
THE COUNTY 100000
Emergency Loan Bill Passed on
Wednesday by Assembly Held
Unconstitutional.

With indications today as the Vir-
ginia State auditor of public accounts
prepared to take personal charge of the
examination of Arlington County &C
counts of E. Wade Ball, treasurer that
the books would show further short
ages none of which has as yet been
explained. the Governor of Virginia
the Legislature and the County and
State School Boards moved in an effort
to solve the financial difficulties in
which the county has found itself.
The developments today included the
following:
A bank in Alexandria has offered
TO lend the county 100000.
The County School Board, after an
all-night session, decided in an effort
to keep the schools open to seek a loan
from the State literary fund, and off,
cialS today are in Richmond for that
purpose.
The emergency loan law which was
held unconstitutional by the Governor
and which was sent back to the Gen.
eral Assembly today was promptly
changed in botn houses shortly after
they convened and returned to the
Governor, who said that he would
sign it.
The State controller, E. r. Combs,
revealed that the Arlington County
treasurer owes the State treasury S24,-
472.64, which should have been paid
on January 81 last. This amount in
cludes license taxes amounting to $24,-
454.29 and capitation taxes amount
ing to $18.35.
The shortage originally alleged is
said now to have reached a figure ap-
proximating $250,000.
Action Is Withheld.
No official action will be taken by
Arlington County against County
Treasurer Ball pending the outcome of
the audit of his books, it was an
nounced this afternoon by Lawrence
Douglas. commemorative attorney.
Any action with respect to Mr.. Ball"
Douglas said, has been temporarily
relegated to the background pending
the results Of the investigation of his
accounts now being made by the State
After the investigation Arlington
County intends to lose nothing as a
result of the present trouble. The ex-
isting financial embarrassment Is
merely temporary. Evidence of this
is shown by the fact that financial re-
sources to meet the emergency have
been readily offered by the county's
banking connections"
r. B. Jordan and r. e. Pugh, audit
ors from the Office of T. Coleman An
drews auditor of public accounts for
the State of Virginia, acting under
orders of Gov. Pollard, took over Balls
books today for a complete audit.
Andrews himself is coming to Arling-
ton County this afternoon to supervise
the audit. 1t is reported he will bring
two additional auditors with him so as
to expedite the investigation.
The auditors not only will examine
Balls books, but at the request of Roy
S. Braden, county manager, will make
a thorough examination of the ac-
counts of all other county offices.
Braden requested such an audit as one
of his first official duties upon taking
Office last January l.
Reported Shortage Growing.
In the meantime the amount of the
reported shortage. according to county
officials. is growing One item, involv-
ing a note for $40, 900 covering a war
rant issued last December by the for
mer Board of Supervisors which went
out of Office December 81, it was said,
has not yet been paid. The bank hold
ing this note advised county officials of
the failure to meet the note soon after
IHo dAeSeu Sioi lagos "cIC Haoe PuDnC'
This bank, in Alexandria. has offered to
loan the county 100000 during the
emergency
The offer of a loan, it is said, fol-
lowed the rejection of an appeal oy
the Arlington County Board for an ad-
vance of 100000 from the Fidelity g.
Deposit Co. of Baltimore, which had
bonded Mr. Ball for $500 ,000.- Harry
A. Fellows, chairman of the county
board, said the bonding company re-
fused to advance, loan or indorse the
county's note for the money"
The possibility that the schools of
Arlington County might be forced to
close March l, because of the apparent
lack OF funds, was discussed last night
at special meeting of the school board.
AS result Of this meeting, Fletcher
Continued on PAGE 2 ColIlnnn Ii