The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-01-18

kdr. Rowland'S reference to his 0face material as public records" met amused understanding from the members of the board of finance who were aware that the control leF'S offlce has been 8 closed shop" for five members of the staff of the Republican-American with the Wa terblry Democrat refused admission to the controllers office, refused even the usual statements" by men In public office, servants of the city).
 It was recommended that the board of aldermen be asked to ap- prove 8 $6,000 appropriation to the listing Mayors office, for audit and that this sum be used to employ Grinenhagen & Associates, Ltd, nominated by MT. Lewis, to make an audit of city accounts for the years 1886 and 1897. The concern of ac- countar1ts is the same which made Q survey of city affairs several years ago for the charter commission.
 Mayor Hayes Explains
 Mayor Hayes and the board heard the opinion of Corporation Counsel 0Ak0A 4Co D. V SOLulOI O1l LLlC ALOCAOAA offered b Commissioner Judge which was for the appointment of Com missioner John H. Goss to direct an Impartial, non-partisan audit of the controllers affairs. The corporation counsel ruled that the board did not have such power to delegate power and that the mayor was authorized by the charter to order audits.
 Whereupon, the mayor said that he had intended employing firm other than one used by the city for audits but that the communication of Mir. Lewis, with whom he talked yesterday, had resulted in his agree ment to cooperate with the states attorney and his willingness that the Gridenhagen concern do the work.
 Disposition of Report
 Commissioner Tripp inquired If the reports of the audit, when com plete, would come to the board and the mayor replied that 1t was his understanding that such material would be presented to the states at torney and to himself. This was the legal decisio non the matter, as well.
 Mr. Tripp then added that he felt that the report should come to the board afterwards and Mayor Hayes said that this would be the case.
 In meeting at which advice was asked frequently by Controller Row land from his accountant, MT. Arm strong, and at which the corpora tion counsel was present part of the time to offer his requested opinion on the audit motion, the finance commissioners sought to act on bonding of various city employees.
 Question of Bonds
 0lty Clerk John P. Fitzmaurice read the list of those for whom bonds were indicated, Lewis Reed, Lucy L. Minnehan and Rose M. Scorpio, the latter two employees of tho town clerks office After it was decided that MT. Reeds discharge last week on completion of his &C., count as sinking fund treasurer re- leased him for the need of a bond, 8 question was raised.
 Judge: The amount of these bonds .. it doesn't seem that $1,O00 amounts to much.
 Executive Secretary Thomas P. Kelly told the commissioner that the board of aldermen set the bonds.
 Mir. Judge the. wanted to know about a blanket bond for all en- ployeS required to be bonded and the mayor told him that this type of bond was in effect in the con- trcller's office.
 At about this time John J. Dris- coll and group of members of the Brass Workers Union, c. I. O. af- filiate. arrived to attend the third meeting at which Controller Row. land has had the support" of the large group from the Republican, American newspapers. ct was on the advice of members of this pub ncity and brain trust" that the con- troller ordered the presence yester- day of the accountant, MT. Arm strong, 1t was learned from a re- liable source.)
 Tax Attorneys Report
 The report of Tax Attorney George R. Guilfoile was received and accepted with the amount of $l0,- 033 collected in back taxes during December, two lots owned by Frank Mack on Morningside avenue, two owned by Fred Klies on Middlebury road, taken over by foreclosure for taxes.
 It was Commissioner Tripp (R) who brought first mention to the board of the publicity" regarding the affairs of the controllers office, in connection with the audit, then outlined and voted, as described.
 Tripp: I feel that the board should look over the audit before 1t 1S given to any newspapers.
 Rowland Stops Discussion
 Controller Rowland interrupted here. stopping further discussion by Commissioner Tripp at that time.
 Rowland: The controller has here reference to the vote at the last meeting regarding the controllers bond and the bonds of all people in his office. He feels that the matter of transfer of personnel from his 0fiice should be taken up.
 Explail;s Bond Amounts
 The controller entered into 1engthy discussion of the bond amounts of those in his office, the major items his own bond of $25,- 900. bond of Martin J. Dunn, $20,- 0O0. James F. Purcell, $5,O00, Frank W. (Larry) Doyle, $5,Oo0, Martin Sweeney, $5,0o0, William J. Shan alaan, 5000. Other employees in the ofiice, he said, are unbonded and he recommended bonds of $1,000 for Mrs. Elizabeth McGivney, Berna- dine Lawlor, Mrs. Helen Tehan Smith, Miss Madeline McFadden, Edward Grady
 Commissioner Judge asked for the amounts of premiums and the con- frolier said, About $70," but that he'd "have to look 1t up" There fol- ' lowed long discussion of rates with NN