The herald., 1895-07-03
nNGERY DECLINED
THE OFFER MADE
Was $500 in a Scheme
for Him
HE SAID NAY
TO THE PROPOSAL
His Vote Was Needed for a
Certain School Site
THE COUNCILMAN
WOULD NOT LISTEN
P. A. Howard Was the Alleged
Attempted Briber
HE IS SUPERINTENDENT
OF THE CITY'S STREETS
Mr.. Howard Denies the Story Very
Vehemently
He Says He Called Upon Hr. KIngery to
Consult Him About Street Sweeping and
That School Sites Were Not Men.
tioned-There Will Be an OFF,
Mr.. Howard Denies the Story Very
Vehemently
He Says He Called Upon nr. KIngery to
Consult Him About Street Sweeping and
That School Sites Were Not Mem
tioned-There Will Be an Off
cial Investigation

Fourth ward charges that one night
about two weeks ago Superintendent OF
Streets P. A. Howard visited him at his
home on Sixteenth street, near Main,
and that during the cali Howard offered,
if Kingery would select the property To-
Gated on the northeast corner of Grand
View avenue and Eighth street as the
site for the proposed new school house to
be erected in that vicinity, that there
was $500 in cash in the selection for him.
self
Mr.. Kingery is very explicit in his
charge of attempted bribery of himself
by the superintendent of streets. and
Howard on the other hand, is Just as
emphatic in his denial of the facts as
they are being related.
The story is that upon the day follow
ing the attempted embracery Councilman
Kingery informed School Director Pit.
man of what had occurred. Mr.. Pltman
represents the ward in the school board,
and with Mr.. Kingery has the absolute
building in the ward in his charge. To
Director Pitman Cunclman Kingery sim
ply stated that he had been improperly
approached by city official. Howard 5
name was not then mentioned in connec.
tion with the matter. A few days later,
when the superintendent of streets asked
Mr.. Pitman to iecommend the Dodd prop
erty for selection, the school director from
the Fourth ward cut him off very shortly
before the monetary offer could be made.
even had Howard been inclined to repeat
it..
It is alleged that Superintendent How
ard. as soon as he heard that Councilman
-,
tempted bribery, went to the mem ber
from the Fourth ward and expostulated
with him for making the facts public.
Kingery is said to have replied: ANY
thing that l do as councilman is public
property and the public has right to
know all about it. Our conversation was
regarding public matter ana if you had
intended that it should remain private
you should not have come to see me
about it,
Councilman Kingery last evening ad-
mitted that Howard had visited him at
his home and had there made to him a
tender of 5000 if he would select the
course, the fact that this thing is to be
published broadcast. said the member
of the council from the Fourth ward, "but
it is true that the offer OF money was
m ade to me, and if Mr.. Howard denies
it. why can help it. 1t must be my
word against his. P"
School Director Pitman said: II first
heard the story that Howard had gone to
see klngery some ten days ago. Mr..
Kingery himself told me that a certain n
city official had made such proposition
to him, and when volunteered the opin-
ion that it was Howard. he only com.
mented that was something of a guesser.
A few days later Howard spoke to me
about the utility and general excellence OF
the Dodd lots. He made no proposition
to me whatsoever. simply arguing because
Of his friendship for Mr.. Dodd, the same
as has been done by dozens of ohters who
had submitted land for selection by the
him fiat-tooted that under no circum-
stances could the Dood property be
chosen. We have as yet made no selection
in the ward, but the Dodd lots are ont oi
the question. They are located in a
hollow and are utterly impracticable for
our purpose"
Superintendent Howard says: 81 did
visit Mr.. Kingery at his house one even
ing. but it was for the purpose of dis
cussing with him the subject of street
sweeping, which he has in charge as a
member of the board of public works
The matter of Miles Dodd's lands or auy
other real estate was not broached no1
was it even referred to. | court the fullest
Investigation into thi, charge by the
council or by any one else"
Councilmen Blanchard and Nun son
when seen expressed great surprise at the
story of attempted bribery. The former
had heard the alleged facts several days
az but had treated the matter as i'm
probable. Councilman Munson said
This is the most remarkable thing
have heard of in long time. If Howard
really did this thing, he must be crazy"
What the result of the charge thus spe-
officially made will be, 10 one appears to
know as yet. Superintendent Howard is
an elected officer and can be impeached
by the city council. Pending an investi-
CATION he can be suspended from his posi-.
tion.
The price asked by Miles Dodd for his
property is $4,000.