Wichita eagle., 1889-12-12

for purchase of lots on Eleventh street and
Chisholm creek and moved the motion to
purchase the lots be reconsidered.
Howe said the abstract had been exam
ined by himself and die not seem to pre-
sent good title
Piatt moved judiciary committee ex-
anime the little.
Howe said he did not want to put the
board to aLy expense in the matter.
Clapp said it was most absurd
to expend money to look after
title of property when no money to buy
the property and no buildings could be
erected on the lots. The board was so far
land.
Geo. Harris, had been notified of accept
ance of his offer but had not presented alb
stract.
Piatt seemed to think Harris could
make the board take the property.
Howe thought such position was rid
iculous.
The motion for the judiciary to examine
bills prevailed seven to one.
Clapp moved the Judiciary committee do
its work at once and should title be found
satisfactory that Harris present deed by
10th of this month.
Howe proved second and said he was
opposed to putting building in that To-
cality. He did not think it in the right
location.
Campbell said he did not think the loca-
ton good.
The Clapp motion prevailed eight TO
two.
McNair asked who superintend the build
ings in First, Fifth and Third wards.
Piatt answered man named Baker SUI
perintend First and Fifth ward buildings,
| but none appointed for Third ward.
The clerk was set to looking up record
and McNair said it was currently reported
that superintendent of Fifth ward build
ing not mechanic and not a fit
person to hold such a position.
Had heard that the man received
his appointment because he was relative
of one of the members of the board on the
buildings and grounds committee.
| Piatt thought the superintendent was
responsible man and the committee had
appointed him. If he was not a competent
man he could be fired. AS member of
the committee he was doing the best he
knew how.
McNair said he got his information from
many parties.
Howe said he had heard Baker never
was mechanic, had lived on farm and
| had also heard he was relative of mem
Der of the committee. He was opposed
paying city's money to relatives of men,
bers of the board when not mechanics.
| He moved that hereafter no person be
| ,,r,In cod Inv ba
tendent of construction except a man who
knew something of the business and that
any person now in the employ of the board
knowing nothing of the business be at
once discharged and competent man en-
ployed in his place.
Mr. Sawyer said he never knew Baker
had the place until after appointed and
had served FIVE days. AS member OF the
committee he should not be blamed.
Clapp amended that all employed by the
buildings and ground committee be re-
ported at the next meeting.
Campbell did not understand that COM
mittee was ever given power to employ
pronisculousiy any one and not report to
the board. There were good mechanics
who could be employed as superintendent.
Clapp said he did not know and the
board did not know how many men were
employed and how much salary they were
getting per day.
The motion as amended prevailed.
Lawrence said he would like to report
| the superintendent of the Fifth ward and
have him investigated for he did not know
| him before appointed.
| Piatt moved that o. Sullivan he ap-
pointed to superinted work on Third ward
building which prevailed.
| Howe said he had understood Barker of
! the Fifth ward was no good and Piatt
come in with word that Barker be rein
Yestigated by the building committee and
leave the matter with them aud il be was
no good they could discharge him.
| McNair observed that Lawrence and
| sawyer did not want to shoulder Barker
! and he would like to find one of the COM
mittee that would take the responsibility.
Clapp said the committe composed Of
| three members. the chairman, Lawrence,
said he knew nothing of Barker and Saw
yer did not know he had been appointed
and Piatt on the matter so far not
heard from. He thought the
not object to be criticised.
After the meeting adjourned some of
| the members spent few minutes in most
| earnest conversation over the superintend-
ent of building question. The leading
| talk seemed to between McNair aud Law
renee, the former saying Baker was a
nephew of Piatt and as be had reason to
| believe knew nothing of the building bus
mess.
Lawrence replied that Piatt had recon-
| mended Baker to him, he at the time never
having seen him, and he did not know be-
fore that any one WAS . relative Of any one
else or might have any other than proper
motive in making Recommendation.
Sawyer, the third and last member of
the committee, again stated he did not
know the appointment had been made for
five DAYS after it had been done.
Mr. Piatt left as soon as the board ad
journed and was not on hand to defend
himself