The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-12-08
THE CITY'S BOND ISSUE
CONTROLLER TRUsLER QUESTIONED
BY COUNCIL COMMITTEE.
His Manner Of Selling Bonds the Main
Subject Of the Evenings Work
Bart Parker on the Stand.

- a AlSnt. III WITNESSES were GA-
amined in the Council chamber. p. c..
Trusler. city controller, was on the stand
the greater part of the evening. but little
OF a startling nature was brought out in
his testimony. He had returned a number
OF bills to the Board of Public Works
which had afterward been adjusted. One of
the bills was the expense account of Mr..
Kramer. who made a trip TO Buffalo; an
other was the bill Of expense incurred by
the city engineer while on a recent trip.
Mr.. Trusler's attention had been called to
the Merriil-street sewer, and he had made
a personal inspection of the excavations.
He found. after the sewer had been ac-
cepted, a crevice seventy~five feet long.
The defect had been plastered up with
cement. He thought that as the city had
a great many inspectors at the time the
sewer was built the work should not have
been covered up. Mr.. Trusler did not think
the charter justified the Board Of Works
in giving out work from the office of the
city engineer. He admitted the streets
were not cleaned as they might be. but
thought the Indianapolis thoroughfares
were as clean as those OF New York.
Inc subject OF the sale Of the city's bonds
was then taken UP and the Investigation
resolved itself into a running fire of ques-
tions and answers.
councilman Merritt-What is the practice
In your Office in making loans as authorized
by the City Council?
Mr.. TruslerI notify all the local bankers
by letter and get a local announcement
In the papers through the reporters. adj
vertised in one case and had one less bidder
than usual. I might get bids from others
besides bankers, but / nave not. although
1 have advertised. The charter does not
require advertisement.
Councilman MISUNDERSTANDING in mind Sec
ton II or the charter viii you explain IN
what manner the refunding of the Gar
ned Park bonds was effeeted?
Mr.. Trusler-By exchange under Section
Councilman Merritt-Did you arrange all
the details for this transaction without
consulting the Council or the finance COM
mittee?
Mr.. Trusler-No.
Councilman Merritt-And without any or
dinance?
Mr.. Trusler-Yes, we arranged the de-
tails at a private meeting of the finance
at which you were present.
Councilman Merritt-Did you not receive
a proposition for a loan of the money to
the city necessary for the refunding of the
bonds without advertising for bids?
Mr.. Trusler-No.
Councilman Merritt-Was the matter not
first brought to the attention OF the finance
committee at a private meeting held at
Mr.. Rauh's house Dec. 20?
Mr.. Trusler-Yes.
Councilman Mecritt-Did you not know,
been offered than that which you agreed
TO accept?
Mr.. Trusler-Yes.
Councilman Merritt-Don't you remember
that a local bank offered 5000, and that it
was rumored that $40 would be given?
Mr.. Trusler-I remember the former.
Don't know as to the latter.
Councilman Merritt-Don't you know that
the charter provides that bids for such
contracts shall be advertised for?
Mr.. Trusler-The charter does not provide
for that.
Councilman Merritt-You nave stated tina
you had the advice of the Mayor and the
Isn't 1t a fact hat but three Of the COM
mittee were present ON that occasion?
Mr.. TruslerI think so.
Councilman Young-Did you ever suggest
to the Council that this investigation should
be made?
Coupcilman Merritt-Did you not come to
my Office some days ago and say that it
would be a good thing to look this matter
up?
Mr.. fusler-Yes, in regard to certain de-
linquent assessments, and ySa declined to
do so unless charges were preferred.
the fees charged in the office of the Board
OF Public Works for copying contracts. He
thought an ordinance should be passed by
which these charges could be made a source
or revenue for the city. The charter, he
explained. did not allow eny one to re-
ceive fees on this kind of work for their
Bart Parker. clerk of the Board of Public
Works. was called TO testify to certain al
legged irregularities in his office.
Councilman Young-Mr. Parker, have you
ever received fees for doing work for pri-
vate individuals?
Mr.. Parker-I have. yes sir. L have made
copies of contracts for contractors.
Councilman YOung-Have you received
pay for this work? And If you have, was
the amount as much as 81 at any one
Mr.. Parker-Yes. sir, I have received
amounts ranging from Is cents to 81.
Councilman Young-Do you do this work
Mr.. Parker-I do not. / do 1t on Sundays
or In the evening.
Councilman Young-Do you know how
much your private lees ior lcSt "ouio
amount to?
Mr.. Parker-I suppose I have received as
councilman Young-Is this the only kind
of work you have done for pay?
Mr.. Parker-This is the principal kind OF
work. I think.
fed persons that their assessments were
due, for contractors?
MIR. Parker-No. / never have; my sister
has done some work of that kind.
Councilman Young-Have you ever con-
suited anyone as to the proprlety ol uo'hs
this work?
about it at different times and the ola
board of works was cogniZant OF IL.
Councilman Young-Have you any knowl-
edge as to whether other clerks DO private
work?
Mr.. Parker-Yes, 1 think that they do.
Councilman Young-Have you eonsioereu
that when you were doing tnat "HA you
were violating the charter?
Mr.. Parker-No, sir. L have no.
Councilman Allen-Mr. Parker, IN Wr1tlng
those specifications for the CONTRACTORS, aid
Won use the supplies of the department?
Mr.. Parker-I used the boards blanks pre-
pared for that purpose.
Councilman Allen-Did you ever know OF
bids having been opened in the once OF the
city engineer?
Mr.. Parker-I nave heard the engineer
express himself in a manner before the
board that led me to believe that such was
Councilman Allen-Did the engineer let
contracts On that kind of a bid?
Mr.. Parker-No, contracts were always
awarded by the board.
Councilman Merritt-Was there anything
In the action OF the engineer that would
lead YOU to believe there was COLLISION be-
tween he and any of the contractors?
Mr.. Parker-There was certainly not.
Councilman ~Young-Haye You knowledge
OF contracts that were let without adVer-
Using? If so, what were they.
Mr.. Parker-Yes; numerous smal con-
tracrs we're let without advertising. They
were little Jobs which 1t did not pay oyy,f to
ing contractors by letter or postal card sue
c~essful.
Councilman Young-Do you know of sup
plies having been bought for one depart
ment and charged TO another?
Mr.. Parker-I have heard OF such trouble
Councilman oung-What do you mean
nv the word ~''trouble?'
--l..t1 ILL., 80 n<N1atn tI.t