The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-01-12
Former Controller
 Defends His Office
Continued from Page D

meetings only once month l don't think that the commissioners want to be called for a special meeting every time there is payroll due"
 The corporation counsel was called upon to draw a proper vote. This was brought in later and passed by the board, unanimously.
 Com. Tripp Starts Things
 Serenity of the meeting then took a turn for the worse, in manner of speaking when Commissioner Tripp, evidently agitated by some feeling, arose to remark:
 You know as citizens the talk that is going around. Whether you know it or not we're in 8 jam. l want to present a motion for an audit of the accounts in the con- troller's office"
 President of the Board of Alder man Patrick M. Perriello interrupted to ask if there wasn't an audit under way.
 Tripp: It doesn't make any differ ence about that. They're saying that the accounts are mixed up. The newspapers are saying that we are $80O00 in the hole and that's the talk which is going around the town. It's going to hurt me more than any one else on the board.
 Pres. PerriellO Queries
 Perriello: Didn't the corporation counsel rule that we shouldn't pass an appropriation for a special audit at this time?
 Tripp: That's all right. But, gen. tlemen, every time I get on a bus I feel as if people were looking at me and saying, There goes a crook" I want this thing settled once and for all. want to make a motion that we allow the controller $6,000
 Rowland, interrupting: Just a minute.
 Tripp: I'm willing to supply $100 out of my pocket to pay for addi- tional costs.
 Rowland, standing: Would it be in line to offer an amendment to the motion. I'd like to refer to Sec tion 108 of the charter which says that it's mandatory.
 Don't Like Word Crook"
 Tripp: I don't care whether it's mandatory or not. don't want to go around thinking that people are saying, That birds a crook"
 Judge: I'd like to see an audit made. But I'd never vote for it in that form.
 Jackson: Don't understand that an audit is in progress?
 Judge: I sympathize with MT. Tripp. We're on the spot. I'd like to see an audit made. But it ought to be free from political prejudice. There should be no political affair connected with the present charges. I have another proposition if this motion fails. I want to see these charges cleared up.
 Vote Is Passed
 Mayor: What is the pleasure of the board?
 Jackson: I'd like to offer an amendment to the motion which is for the mayor to appoint commit tee to see what can be done and report back to the board.
 Perriello: Second.
 Tripp: As long as an audit is made I don't care what form it takes.
 The board votes on the amended motion of MT. Tripp, that the mayor appoint a committee to de- termine procedure of obtaining an audit.
 Voting yes: Commissioners Per riello, Carl D. Olsen, Frederick B. Dalton, John Hayden, Charles Jack son, Alderman Edward J. Fitzger- aid: voting no: Controller Row land, Commissioners Tripp and Judge.
 Judge: Would it be in order to present an alternative motion at this time?
 Mayor: If the makers of the orig inaI motion withdraw.
 Rowland Stops Motion
 This action followed and Commis- sioner Judge started to read a pre- pared motion, opening with the statement that in view of the charges of malfeasance in conduct of the office of the controller" wher he was interrupted by the con- troller.
 Rowland: I haven't made my statement yet.
 The controller rises and reads from a prepared list of items (pub- lished at the conclusion of this re- port). The statement was to effect that ovedrafts for bills in 1887 was to a total of $485, ,145, that there is on hand cash to the amount o1 $186, 6,O00;. that section .104 of the charter does not allow for over- drafts, in fact, the same statement which appeared in the Waterbury American yesterday afternoon, be- fore the meeting of the board, as released by the controller in the or ganization attack on the admins tration.
 Judge, Rowland Duet
 Judge (continueS motion): There have been charges of certain lrreg- ularities during the administration of the predecessor of the con- troller.
 Rowland, interrupting: I'm call ing the attention of the board to the overdrafts.
 Judge: Complaints of records