Jim Kershner’s This day in history
From our archives, 100 years ago
A City Hall scandal blew up when an audit of the city’s books revealed that at least $1,900 in cash had disappeared from the city treasurer’s office three years previously.
Neither the former city treasurer nor the two cashiers in the treasurer’s office could account for the discrepancy. The cashiers were both suspended pending an investigation. One cashier, H.F. Tabb, said three blotters (logbooks) were missing and “I am afraid without these we will be unable to clear up the mystery.”
“I blame the whole thing on a loose system of bookkeeping which was in vogue up until June 1, 1912,” Tabb said.
“I have no feeling in this matter except one of sorrow,” Mayor C.M. Fassett said. “I am sorry that anything like this has been shown in the first place, and I shall be much more deeply grieved if it is established that any city employee has been so foolish as to steal any of the city’s funds.”
From the police beat: Spokane’s police chief said he had hired a number of undercover detectives from all over the country to work the big convention of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He said some of them would be disguised as delegates.
“I want to say that Spokane will be an unhealthy place for criminals next week,” he said.