The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-11-27
REPORT ON MR.. BROWN
BOARD OF WORKS HAS FULL Con-
FIDENCE IN HIS HONESTY.
He Must, However, Return that
Hereafter BE in Writing.

The Board of Works has given its de-
cision in the investigation Of City Engineer
Browns Office, and concludes that the evil
dence submitted has not shaken it's CON
fidence in the honesty of the accused" TIL
board also decides that hereafter all
charges filed against city officers or en-
ployes under it must be in writing. The
full text of the boards decision is as FOL
lows:
The board has carefully inquired into
every charge heretofore made and rumor
set af1oat against the official conduct of
Charles c. Brown, city civil engineer. Most
or these charges and rumors had recently
foundt their way into the daily papers. and
IL appeared TO be due to the board and the
said Brown alike that notice should be
taken of them. The inquiry was not linn
ised 10 questions by the Mayor ana the
who had any knowledge, of rumors as to
Mr.: Browns lack of efficiency or. of his
his office were freely accorded the right TO
ask questions.
The principal matter of Investigation
cepted the Merrill-street sewer in an i'm
perfect condition. The whole matter in
VOWED in this contention was presented TO
this board several months ago, at the time
the sewer was completed. The engineer
was at that time specially directed by the
attention to the case. He reported that
he had done so. and repeats the statement
nov. saying. that he made a careful exam
nation of the breaks in the sewer, caused
by the floods occurring during the time of
its construction, and that the repairs made
before its acceptance were sufi1cienti In
this opinion assistant engineers Dill and
Jeup concurred. These same assistants
made a personal inspection of the interior
sert that ii is in first-class condition, show
ing no signs of weakening at any points.
We cannot Justly say from the proofs be-
fore US that any lame attaches TO Mr..
Brown in this matter, looking at 1t from
the standpoint of honest dealing. While he
might probably have compelled the partial
rebuilding of the damaged section. OF the
sewer, we feel that it would have been an
unwarranted exercise of authority on his
stances, for the evidence shows that the re-
pairs made were sufficient in every particu-
lar, leaving the sewer as sound as IL 1t had
been wholly removed and rebuilt.
"It appears that soon after his, appoint
meat, said Brown accepted a book or free
ride passes from the Citizens Street-rail-
him without his solicitation, the rule OF
the company having been established prior
to Mr.. Browns appointment, as We are ad-
vised, to compliment certain public officials
and employees whose duties frequently call
them to distant parts of the city: we DO
ing said pass. We do not believe, however,
that any improper motive was INDUCED by
said Brown In receiving and using the same
in connection with his official work. Ger
tainly no harm to the city has so far re-
suited therefrom: We feel that no further
use of il should be made, however, and d.
rect it's return.
Nothing else involved in the investiga-
ton need be specially referred to here, all
other matters being of a trivial and unim-
portant character. The proof submitted
has not shaken our confidence in the hon.
esty OF the accused. His ability as an en-
gineer mas been amply demonstrated in the
successful preparation for and superintend-
ence of nearly 100000 worth OF public
work during the year he has coupled his
present position. We have no inclination
to shield anyone connected with the city
administration, but we take this opportu-
nifty to say that hereafter charges must be
presented to us in writing"