The morning call., 1893-07-25
COAL AND HORSES
They Become Subjects of
Inquiry.
The Hospital Committee of the Super
visors Investigate an Equine Deal
at the AlmShouSe.

The death OF horse at the A lmshouse
| few days after its purchase formed the
basis for an inquiry regarding its purchase
by the Hospital Committee Of the Board of
| Supervisors yesterday afternoon. Some
| question was raised as to the authority
given for the purchase. and 1t was alleged
that an excessive amount had been paid
for the span of which the dead animal
was one.
Superintendent Weaver Of the Aims
house said that he had purchased the team
on the verbal authority of Supervisor
Good win, at that time chairman of the
Hospita! Committee. Weaver added that
DR.. Greedy. whom he understood was the
veterinary surge on appointed by the board
for the purpose, had examined the horses.
pronounced them sound aud approved the
prize paid. $3.50.
Supervisor Goodwin appeared before the
committee aud said that he did not remem-
Der having authorized the purchase and
had signed no reguisition for the horses.
He had said to Weaver that he had better
get two horses from the Fire Department.
He afterward admitted that he might have
said something else about buying team,
but did not recall the conversation.
Dr. Burns, who had dene the veterinary
business for the city for years. and who
now does the same work for the Fire De-
partment, was the next witness.
He testified that the team was not worth
more than $780, and said that the horse
died from overlooking and too little work.
| He said that he was at the Almshouse
every day aud saw that there something
wrong with the horse.
Chairman Stanton inquired why he had
not informed the superintendent Of the
| horses condition.
because wanted them to fall into the
pit they had dug for themselves" replied
"Do you refer to Mr.. Weaver"' asked
the chairman.
mo, Mr.. Weaver is an honorable gen.
tleman. whom esteem. would protect
him with my-with ny coat" said the wit
"Whom did you mean. then. that you
wanted to fall into the pit?"
II mean the one that put up the job-Dr
Greedy"
"T6is is evidently a case of professional
jealousy" remarked DR.. Stanton. as he
dismissed the witness.
E. S. johnson, householder. stated that
DR.. Creely told him team was needed at
the Almshouse. He had taken three teams
out on trial and one was finally selected,
which Greedy and the teamster approved.
He considered them we'll worth $3.50.
]. A: Belah. from whom johnson Sc
statement. He said both horses were
| sound and we'll when he sold them.
Clerk Russell was summoned to testify
as to tho custom about the purchase of
horses for public institutions. He stated
that, upon application, the chairman OF
the Hospital COMMITTEES usually author.
lied the head Of the institution to buy the
needed animal, subject to the approval Of
tho veterinary SURGEON.
The horses have not been paid for. and
the committee decided to postpone action
until expert testimony regarding the dead
animals value had been secured.
Then tho use of the coal at the Aims
house was considered. Attorney S. NJ.
Shortridge said that he appeared fur Nor
ton s. Co., who had been awarded the con-
tract for supplying Dunsmuir Wellington
coal to the Almsbouse. Arthur NJ. Ebbets
had been awarded the contract for South
! field Wellington. The attorney said that
although the market price for the Duns-
muir was 30 cents ton higher than the
Southheld, the contract price was II cents
| lower. He had a dozen expert dealers to
testify that the quality of the Dunsmuir
was superior to the Southfield. Notwith-
standing all this. the Almshouse orderai
only from Mr.. Ebbets, and be asked the
| Interference of the committee In favor of
his client.
MIR Ebbets main tanned that his coal was
better adapted for furnace use than the
Dunsmuir. 1t was more economical. de-
spite the difference in price, because 1t
produced more heat. The stewards at all
the public institutions ordered it from
preference.
Frank Rourke of Bernard & Rourke
gave expert testimony about the two
brands of coal. He said that the Duns-
muir was cleaner and harder than the
| Southfeld. and that the latter had . sui
phurous odor. He considered the latter
| unfit for use In houses or public institu-
| tions.
There was an animated passage of arms
| between the representatives of The rival
brands Finally Mr.. Morton said. in a
| deprecating tone:
"Mr. Ebbets. you know you are not tell
| ing the truth"
Hush, hush! Tut. tut!" demonstrated
| the chairman and the matter dropped.
| Attorney Shortridge referred to the
manner in which the contracts were
awarded. Upon turning to the records it
was found that the bids for South field coal
had been as follows: Bernard & Rourke.
! 81 IS a ton; P. Lynch. 81 10; A. NJ. Ebbets.
$3.50.
Bernard & Rourke afterward withdrew
| their bid and the contract was awarded to
Ebbets. The inquiry was made. why
was it not given to Lynch?" Dr. Stanton
was not member Of the board at that
| time, and Supervisors Denman and Hinton
| had no clear recollection Of the circnm-
! stances.
The committee took the matter under
| advisement.
|