The Portland daily press., 1895-07-02

Inspection of Milk-Excited Witnesses
Speak Very vigorously-Many Orders
Passed.
The most interesting matters last eve
ming were the ross-examination of Su-
perintendent of Streets Staples and of
Milk Inspector Blake and the quarterly
report of the Commissioner of Public
Works, which was not accepted
STREET LABORERS DISCUSSED.
An order came up from the lower board
that created quite little excitement.
1t was introduced there by Councilman
Illsley and was passed. 1t was an or
der that all laborers employed in paving
the city streets be residents of the city.
Alderman Duddy called attention to
the statement that Boston PAYERS had
been employed on the work of the N. E.
Telephone Company on Exchange street
Superintendent Staples was present and
said he had employed the men on this
work for the telephone company. Alder
man buddy said that he had been in
formed that Mr.. Staples had discharged
a Portland man that day The man
was present. Mr.. Staples denied that he
had discharged anyone.
An elderly laborer named Tagley, ap-
peared, and it was voted that ne have a
hearing. He was sworn by the city
clerk.
| In reply to Alderman Duddy's question
he said that he was hired by the Boston
boss that morning on the telephone COM
pany's work on Exchange street, and Mr..
Shapes discharged him at p. M, and
took his shovel away from him. He was
| positive of that.
Questioned by Alderman Smith, he un-
derstood that he was working for the tele-
phone company.
Alderman buddy called attention to
the discrepancy between the statements
OF Mr.. Staples and Mr.. Tagley He then
read the folloing letter that had been
placed on his desk:
81 should like to know if you can find
out for me the reason why Mr.. Staples is
hiring Boston PAYERS instead of Portland
PAYERS.
ssJOHN, o'CoNNOR. I"
/, ALDERMAN EilddF said tf,.A man
named James P. Gearin, one of the most
skilful PAYERS in the city, who had been
an instructor of pavers had been unable
to secure work. He asked Mr.. Staples
why he had not employed Mr. Gearin.
Mr. Staples replied the reason that I
haven't employed Mr.. Gearin is that in
putting in sidewalks and curbs exclusive
| ly thus far this summer Mr. Gearin can
|
| ing he did was last fall on Monument
square. He stayed there so long that the
moss grew on the stones before he got
done He's been good paver, but he S
getting old now. AS for laying side
walks, he can't do it. We shall begin to
pave next week and shall give him
chance at light work. %
"Do you consider that Mr.. Gearin is
not competent to put in curbing?" said
Alderman buddy
Eyes, I do He can't get it straight
to save his life We're all getting old
and some of us don't know it.
81 think so, said Alderman buddy,
''you include yourself in that, I sup
pose. !" Oaughter.)
Asked again, Mr.. Staples declared that
there was only one man in the city who
could properly lay curbing.
"Why can't Mr.. Gearin assist this man
as others do?''
because he's too stiff too old; he
can't get there; he can't keep up
care all the PAYERS in your employ
citizens?''
eyes, they are all registered men. They
have to be legal voters in order to regis
ter'' .
AT this point John O'Connor spoke up
and said he'd like to inquire by what
reason Mr.. Staples had stated what he
was unable to prove Mr. Staples asked
where he had passed He stated many
times and places, and added excitedly :
elf 1 can't pave as much stone as any
man you've got I'll go out of the bust
ness
At this point Mayor Baxter thought
this controversy had gone on long
enough; that it was irrelevant, and that
they should return to the consideration
of the order.
Alderman Smith though that it had
not gone far enough. Things were going
forward just as he voted for them to.
BY vote of the board the hearing contin-
ued.
Mr.. Gearin, a large, elderly, well-pre-
served man, arose and answered ques-
tions by Alderman buddy.
He had been citizen since 49, He
had worked last year for Mr.. Staples.
He was discharged, he thought, for one
thing. He was setting stone and Joe
Bibber asked him how much stones
were, and he said % cents a foot, and
Joe Bibber said 'What makes Staples
ask the foreman so cents foot for
them. " He replied that he did not know.
Alderman Thompson interrupted and
said that all this had nothing to do
with the order that was before the board
Mayor Baxter thought so too, and inter
rupted Mr.. Gearin, who talked excitedly,
requesting him to sit down.
John O'Connor jumped up and said
that he had started the trouble and