10/26/1931 Adjourned Meeting0
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MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED 'METING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DES PLAINES, HELD IN THECOUN-
CIL CHAMBERS, ON MONDAY OCTOBER
26, A. D. 1931 AT THE HOUR OF
8:00 P. M.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Hammerl, with the
following Aldermen responding to the roll call: Aldermen Ahbe, Collet,
Suster, Pflughaupt, Kinder, Lacey, Enzenbacher and Meinshausen. Alder-
men Huxmann and Wettin were absent. Mr. Arthur Weiner, of the acc-
ounting firm of Charles J. Andeson, Mr. Summerfield representing
Gity Attorney David b. Maloney, and Mr. M. A. Behrens were also pre-
sent.
The Mayor announced that the object of the meeting was to
arrive at some understanding with Mr. M. A. Behrens former City Treas-
urer as to the payment of the bill for bringing his books up to date
as of May lst, 1931.
Upon request of the Mayor, the Clerk read a bill presented
by Mr. Behrens for the sum of $229.50 for commissions still due him as
treasurer. The Clerk alio read the following letter:
Mr. David B. Maloney,
One LaSalle St. Bldg.,
Chicago, I11.
Dear Sir:
We are presenting, herewith the amount of time that
was necessary to bring Mr. Behrens* Treasurer's records
up to date, in order that we might be able to install
our mdnicipal system with the correct balances as of
May lst, 1931.
Mr. H. P. Dahl was employed by Mr. Enzenbacher to as-
sist us in this work. He commenced on June 5th, 1931
and completed his work on August 6th, 1931, for which
time he has received *234.75. We estimate that approx-
imately $250.00 of our time was spent in addition to
Mr. Dahl's time, making a total of *484.75 that was
expended by the City of Des Plai es in bringing the
records of the former City treasprer up to date.
Oct. 13, 1931.
Alderman Enzenbacher then stated
books of Mr. ,Behrens were not in
and had to be brought up to date
Charles J. Anderson Co„ and Mr.
city paid direct. •
Yours very truly,
CHILES J. ANDERSEN & COMPANY
By Arthur A. Weiner
that as previously stated, the
a suitable condition to be audited,
. This was done by Mr. Weiner, of
H. Dahl•of Des Plaines, whom the
Mr. Weiner repeated the% contents of his letter to David
B. Maloney as given above, and stated that Mr. Behrens' books were
not what could be called *balanced up to date'".
Alderman Enzenbacher then expressed the opinion that
perhaps Mr. Behrens is not entirely to blame for the condition of the
books, but that he,believes he inherited some of the conditions from
previous treasurers.
At this point Mr. 'ehrens asked Mr. Weiner for a clear and
concise answer as to whether or not there was a shortage, to which Mr.
Weiner replied *No there was no shortage, that is, all cash received
was accounted for. W. Behrens then addressed the Council stating
that in aamueh as the impression had been given that he had "stolen"
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City funds he wanted the Council and press to understand its. Weiners'
statement clearly once and for all, Namely that all,moneys received by him
as City Treasurer are accounted for.
Alderman Anzenbacher then asked Mr. Weiner whether he found
the books in good condition, previous to Mx Behrens' term of office,
to which Mr. Weiner replied "not so very good". Mr. Weiner then
said he had, gone back to May 1st, 1929 and that he took the auditors
balances of that date as his starting point.
Upon a question by Alderman Pflughaupt, Mr. Behrens stated that
he personally worked after May lst, 1931 to bring the books up to
May lst, 1931. Alderman Pflughaupt then asked it the work could not
have been completed by May let, 1931 to which Mt. Behrens replied "yes*
they could have been"
Alderman Enzenbacher then asked Mr. Weiner, whether in his
opinion, the system in force during Mr. Behrens" term of office was
such that if properly kept, an intelligent audit could, have been made
May 1, 1931. Mr. Weiner replied, "yes if the books were in balance.
Alderman Enzenbacher suggested that the action in this
matter he postponed in order to give the aldermen time to give the
matter more thought. The Mayor therefore referred the matter to the
Finance Committee for investigation and report.
The Clerk then read a letter form V. W. Wade, Supt. of the
Soo Line Railroad stating that upon request of the•Council a bulletin
has been issued to Soo Line engineneh calling attention to the un-
neccessary sounding of the whistle, and requesting them to minimize
the use of whistles in giving signals and warning.
The Clerk also read the following letter:
NIGHT DESK SERGEANT
Police Department,
Des Plaines, Illinois*
OCt. 14th, 1931.
Dear Sir:
On saturday, October 3rd, about 5:15 A. M. your police
squad was chasing a Chrysler VIII Sedan at the intersection of tem-
porary River Road and Northwest Highway. The Chrysler VIII turned
left to the left of me and your police squad turned left to the
right of me, hitting my car and damaging it th/ the extent of $4.75
I waited for the squad to come back and was advised by
them that they would take care of the *aranes. I dropped in
about 4:30 the same afternoon and was requested to furnish your
department with an estimate. I called your department on the
Phone Saturday and furnished you an estimate of $5600. At the
time I called you advised me that you would get in touch with
me in the next few days. Up to the present time I hare not
received any word from you. I have had the car repaired and
have paid the Wesley Garage at 6701 Ogdon Avenue, 4erwyn, the
sum of $4.75.
Will you please advise me when 1 can expect a remittance
for the above amount or what action you'd plan to take in settling
for the damages.
Adress:
6947 30th Place,
Beiwyn, Illinois.
Yours,very truly,
Z. F. Vachta
•
•
The motion was ramie by Alderman Buster and seconded by Lacey to
refer the letter to the Police & License Committee. The motion
was vpted 4pla bp' amarmatips whereupon the Mayor declared to
motion carried.
I[r. Charles Kemmel then addressed the assembly in behalf
of the Joint Emergency Relief, appealing to all to cooperate to the
finest extent in relieving the distressed and hungry families
during the coming sinter.
•
The motion was made by Alderman Enzenbacher and seconded
by Collet to adjourn. The motion was Toted upon by,acclamation,
whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried, and the council
regularly adjourned.
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