The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-08-05

meeting, if the board agrees, to see that they get their money-prompt- ly."
 That is agreeable to me-" Com missioner Goss remarked, and members of the board agreed to ad- journ, subject to the call of Mayor Hayes to remedy the crisis created by the controllers. interpretation" of contracts" actually voted June 30th, and not applicable to services rendered the city before that time
 Not my fault" stammered the controller. He turned to the men and attempted to explain that the board of finance, the superinten- dent of streets, the public works board, and others, were responsible for the plight of the unpaid part time employees, three of whom in the delegation at the board meet ing were on WPA work. The con- troller stated that he had to get a copy of the contracts from Su- perintendent Fleming"
 Oral Contracts
 T specifically stated that the procedure of getting contracts ap- piled only to bills after the boards action on my motion, "Commis- sioner Goss told the controller. T think you are being very foolish on this point, You couldn't get written contracts before we passed the vote and 1t was understood that oral contracts would suffice"
 Vouchers listing the services and amounts due some of the scores of truckers, garbage collectors and others to whom the city has owed money over long periods, were brought before the board. These had been approved by the board of public works and the superinten- dent of streets, Thomas J. Fleming.
 In the absence of the latter, Con- troller Rowland, after one of a score of whispered conferences with Accountant Purcell, then charged that he had mo letter" from the street superintendent stating that he (Supt. Fleming) had oral con- tracts with the men,"
 Commissioner Goss, commenting that he saw by the newspapers that you Controller Rowland) had criticized members of the board of public works" then sought to heal the situation by having the con- troller agree to pay the men as soon as Superintendent Fleming has certified" that the bills are proper" a sworn signature, if that Will satisfy you," MT. Goss added.
 Denied Stories
 Controller Rowland, answering the comment of MT. Goss rela ting to the newspaper (Republican-Am- erican) attacks attributed to the controller, denied the "stories," thus repudiating his principal ally and support in the conduct of his of- flee which has seen teachers fail- ing to have their checks properly signed, delay of city payrolls, non- payment of bills dating to the mid- de Of last year, in some instances, thousands of persons seeking money due them from the city for various services, claims presented at the controllers office and pay ment refused on "technicalities" since the first of the year.
 We'll see that these men get their money within two weeks," Commissioner Goss affirmed. There is nothing in the law gov- erning payment by any municipal ities for services which requires us to pay weekly, however," he com- mented on this request of the board oi public works, made on motion of Commissioner Albert Loeffler, who later was attacked by the control Ter, according to the Republican, American.
 Payment Assured
 Thus, the eight truckmen, who spent nearly an hour standing in line behind some of the commis- sioners, where the unpaid city em- ployes could watch Controller Row. lands scattered attempt to escape blame, where one and another of the truckmen talked in friendly terms with Commissioner Goss. will be paid. The superintendent of streets, by Mayor Hayes order, will see the controller today, the bills have been approved by the board of finance, the board will hold a special meeting to sign the war rants payable sheets which, for sey- eral months, in some instances. have failed to acknowledge the city's indebtedness to those who ap- peared before the board yesterday, to scores more stin waiting for the controller to scurry from behind the charter. and attend his office business.
 At one point in the general dis comfiture of the controller, Cor poratiofl Counsel Charles S. OCon- nor told Controller Rowland. in re-