Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-08-23

b4tGLt ScSSlOu VI the COUNCIL OOIu-
mittee on Health, which was held last
night. There appear to be several
points upon which the Health officer
and Mr.. Dowler do not agree, but the
former admits receiving fifty cents a
day from his assistant, defending the
transaction with the statement that he
did a part Of Mr. Dowler's work. The
proceedings before the committee last
night We're OF an exceedingly interest
ing nature, and were enlivened some
what by discussions between members
Of the committee and the Health Off
Ger. The latter openly charged that
politics figured in some of the recent
proceedings of the committee.
Bills were first taken up, and a num-
Der of errors were discovered, which
caused considerable wrang,ing among
the members Of the committee, and de
layed the transaction of business. Ac-
counts aggregaJing $725.90 will be re-
ported TO Council with favorable rec
ommendation. DR.. Taylor criticised the
health officer mildly for his use of cer-
tain disinfectantS, and more time was
wasted in prOft,ess discussion Bills
amounting TO $1,000 were aid over I'M
I'll future meeting.
Plans for tae projected city hospital
were submitted and examined by the
committee. The plans were prepared
by Architect Charles Hamilton. They
provide for a tWo-Story frame structure.
with q wide porch, having two living
rooms and seven rooms which may be
used As wards, besides bath room. clos
cts, etc. The design is ornamental and
the architect estimates that the building
can DE constructed for about 81. 800. The
committee decided 20 advertise for bids.
which must be in Monday evening at
five o'clock.
Chairman Or. Stathers declared that.
there being no other business before the
committee, il was prepared 10 take up
published charges against the health off,
Ger. Or. Stathers suggested that it
might be well to exclude the reporters.
DR.. Walden-"One paper has made the
matter public enough and see no GOOD
reason why we should have a star cham
Der session.
DIR. S,2taers-"If You have no objec-
-.0n, We haven't"
DR.. Walden-'I certainly have not"
Dr. Stathers-"Then YOU may make
your statement
DR.. Walden-"Ab0ut What?"
DR.. Stathers-''It has come 10 the ears
of the members of the committee that
YOU have been paying special guard. Mr.
j. NJ. DOwler. but 81 80 day. when 81 a
day was appropriated for that purpose. 80
DIR. Walden-"H you have examined
the books in the clerks Office YOU found
that MIR. DowlCr received every cent TO
which he was entitled.
Mr.. Ebsling- gid you receive any of
the money back?'
Dr. Walden-"Thats nobody's bust
ness
Dr. S-athers-"Well. if that is all the
statement you wish to make. YOU may
retire, and we win hear the statement
of Mr.. Dowler.'
The health officer retired and Mr..
D0wler was called in He as asked 10
make an explanation, and stated that he
was employed by the health officer to do
SPECIAL inspection work for 50 a day
Before he started to work he met the
health officer and was asked if he could
not work for less. He replied that he
wanted aS much rs any other inspector
was receiving. DR.. Walden told him
that the committee would not
pay more than $3.50 dav
and being out of emplOvment
he decided to accept it. When ne cot
MS check for wages due it was made
OUT at the rate Of 81 a day The health
officer asked him If he did not draw TOO
much, and he replied that ne had. The
health officer then stated that the differ
ence was intended for him Or. Walden
lie paid over TO The health officer $3.50
IN the aggregate.
In answer to questions by members
OF the Committee Mr. Dowler stated
his hours of work that he did all the
work required of him, and that the
Health Officer did special work in sew
eral instances when persons asked him
TO stop az their homes. Since the pub
LEGATIONS concerning the matter. DR..
Walden told him that the Committee
would not have paid him more than
$3.50 a day.
Clerk Henning examined his books,
aud found that Mr.. Dowler commenced
TO work on May LIST, and was employed
continuously until the present time.
The clerk also exhibited vouchers for
Mr. Dowler's work, approved by the
Health Officer over his own signature
stating that he was entitled TO payment
at the rate of s. per day.
After making his statement Mr..
Dowler retired. DR.. Taylor was of the
opinion that the Committee should
first ask the Health officer to pay to
Mr.. Dowler the money taken from
him. inasmuch as il appeared that
there was no understanding between
the TWO by which DR.. Walden was to
receive the money.
The Health Officer was recalled. He
said that AIr DOwler's statement with
reference TO the first conversation re-
earding wages. was untrue; that he
was employed TO stay in the Office four
hours a day; and that there was a
verbal agreement that Dowler was TO
receive $3.50 a day. He held that he
had a perfect right to accept the fifty
cents a day. that il was a simple bust
ness transaction. He had O wheel, and
had better facilities for inspection,
and did all. or nearly all of the out
side work. He held that if he did
work for Mr. Dowler, he was entitled
to pay for it.
Did You not deceive the Committee?
Did YOU not leave us to understand
that he was receiving s. day.
DR.. Walden-'NO. sir. He received
50 for every day he worked. and 'slld
me fifty cents day for my work.
You say he was hired as special