The Washington times., 1894-10-21
CHARGES MAYBE SUSTAINED
Committee of the City Council of
Laurel Ready to Report.
VERDICT AGAINST THE MAYOR
Malfeasance in Office Is One of the Leading
Allegations-It Was Also Alleged that
Teams Owned by Timanus and Castle We're
Employed on the Street Improvem ents.

The city council of Laurel at its last meet
ing, at the request OF Mayor Timanus and
President Castle, as stated in TEE TIMES, ap-
pointed a committee, consisting of Messrs.
Kerr and Schooley, to investigate the charges
OF malfeasance in Office made against the
mayor and president in connection with the
improvements on Washington avenue. The
committee has completed its Investigations
aud will make its report at the meeting of the
council tomorrow night.
The Investigations were held on Wednes-
day and Thursday nights, Messrs Kerr and
Schorley conducting them and ex-Mayor
Gull, having made the charges, appearing
practically as a prosecutor. Charles F.
Shofer, ir., was placed on the stand and
testified to practically the same statement he
made to THE TIMES two weeks ago, namely
that Mr.. Breen of the firm of Breen & Feeley,
contractors, had come to him and offered to
give orders on the store of Phelps & Shofer
if the merchants would allow Breen i Feeey
a discount. When asked what discount the
contractors wanted Mr.. Breen replied that
an a considerable profit was made on groc-
cries the orders would be sent to the highest
bidder. Mr.. Shofer had declined to bid.
ORDERS HAD BEEN HONORED.
Direct evidence was introduced, it is re-
ported, to show that the orders had been sent
to the store of Mayor Tmanus. where they
had been honored. Evidence was also intro
duced showing that both Mayor Iimanus and
President Castle had had teams EMPLOYED on
the work since the passage of the ordinance
of October l, prohibiting by express stipula-
ton any member of the city government
contractors in connection with the work.
The mayor and president were then placed
on the stand, and both admitted. it is alleged
that they knew OF the provisions of the ordi-
nance, and that they had continued their re-
lations with the contractors after its passage.
Mr. Timanus testified that up to October he
had honored orders TO the amount of two
hundred and odd dollars; that he could not
give the exact amount OF orders honored
since. Neither could he give the amount due
him for the services OF his team and wagon
on the work. In one case, he said, an order
had been partially traded out and balance of
50 had, at the request Of the holder of the or
der, been discounted at 10 per cent. for cash.
TO GET RID OF THE CONTRACTORS.
On the subject of the approval of the esti-
mate of Engineer Dashiel, President Castle
said that he had approved it because he con-
sidered that the work performed and the ma
terials furnished were of that value. and
knowing that the money would not be paid
until passed upon by the council.
Mayor Timanus said that he had approved
the estimate ito get rid of the contractor
who had come to him and asked him to sign
it. In response to question by Mr. Gull, he
said he had "never read the contract in his
life; had never read it up to this present mo-
ment." He said he had expected when the
time came for payment that some one would
tell him what was the proper course to pur-
sue.
In view of the fact that the evidence is so
strong, and that the mayor aud president