Evening star., 1948-01-08
|GobbeI Denies
Ordering Boost
In His AT PAY
Accusation Made
By Treasurer at
GreenbeIt Hearing

A charge. that Greenbelt Town
Manager James T. Gobbel ordered
salary overpayments for himself
during l947 was denied last night
by the official who declared his
pay was strictly in accordance"
with existing town ordinances.
The accusation was made by Mrs.
Mabel l.. Handler, town treasurer,
under oath before a e-member
investigation committee comprised
Of residents and town councilmen.
1t was the third session of the
hearings which opened last month.
Mrs. Handler told the committee
she questioned the managers ac-
ton in authorizing his own pay on
the basis of s8,151 annually over the
first quarter of last year.
l947 Budget Cited.
She charged the 1947 budget pro-
vided for only $500 and that Mr..
Gobbel last April reimbursed the
town through her by his personal
check for s4sl representing what
she termed the "overpaynent."
Mrs. Handler added the manager
asked her to keep the alleged reim-
bursement "a secret from other town
employees"
In his denial, Mr.. Gobbel cited
town ordinances of June and July,
1946, which authorized his pay at
$500 and entitled his position to
a IA per cent cost of living raise
plus 10 per cent bonus, both of
which were granted all town en-
ployes.
This brought the total to $8,151
and there since has been no ordi-
nance passed changing that sched-
ule," Mr.. Gobbel declared.
Action Is Explained.
He explained his reimbursement
of the S481 "overpayment" as an
adjustment which, under the town
charter. he was empowered to make
when the council failed to specify
his exact salary for that year. Mr..
Gobbel added the council did not
take this action even after 1 had
recommended a reduction in my
salary to total of $500 in my
1947 budget message"
The accused official spoke of bit
ter underhanded attacks on me"
by two members of the last town
council. who he said, sought his
resignation.
He recalled the fund mismanage-
ment charge-which also involves
the pay of two other officials-was
not brought until the middle Of the
September election for new council
men. =.
Il did not know Mrs, Handler had
any nisgivings at all about the
financial transactions until that
time" Mr. Gobbel said.
Expected Special Audit.
The treasurer explained she
waited until then because she "re-
allied" she and the manager might
not be appointed by the new council
and that she was afraid" that a
special audit might reveal what
might be discrepancies and irregu-
larities in the accounts"
Mrs. Handler said she never took
her fears to council members earlier
in the year because she understood
town employees we're under orders
to deal through the managers ofilce.
She admitted. however, that Mr..
Gobbel had not told her to keep
any matters from the council.
The witness added she first sought
the advice of Robert A. Dodge, for
mer town policeman, and George F.
Bauer, former Mayor, before decid-
ing to press her charge. Both Mr..
Bauer and Mr.. Dodge also have
lodged accusations against certain
town officials and are due to be
heard at tomorrow's session set for
8 pm.
John S. White. town solicitor,
served as chief interrogator of the
witnesses. Mayor Thomas J. Cam
ming presided.