The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-19
PettisD ryGO CO
SIMMS ON THE RACK
LECTURED IN A FATHERLY MANNER
BY COUNCILMAN MERRITT.
comparative Statement Of Cost of
Sweeping and Sprink1ing I'm
1903 and 1894.

But two persons who were not SUBJ
poenaed presented themselves at the meet
ing of the Council investigating committee
last night in answer to Chairman Merritts
request that ali persons who have COM
plants or information against the city de-
partments be present. There was quite
a crowd present. however, it being expect
ed that some interesting testimony would
be given. On the contrary, the evidence
was very mild and the members of the
committee were weary before adjournment,
which took place after IL o'clock. 1t was
expected to finish the work of the commit
tee last night, but another meeting, prob
ably several. will be necessary. The COM
mittee set Monday morning as the time Of
the next meeting, when the cement-walk
question will be looked into.
The first witness last night was Assist
ant Engineer Jeup, who gave testimony
regarding the faulty catch basins, which
have been discovered along the College
avenue sewer. He said Inspector Bishop
reported to him that an inspection had been
made and the basins were all right. Wit
ness anime them and found several
which were not constructed according to
specifications. Witness had stopped night
work upon sewers as secn as he found that
some of it was being done. Witness said
Bishop had approved the work without
prcoer inspection.
The next witness was ex-Inspector Simms,
and the committee made it SO very unpleas-
ant for him that he gave a sigh of relief
when he was excused. Simms said he had
reported, while inspecting the laying Of
the Ken~tucky-avenue sidewalks, that cement,
which was tabooed by the city engineer,
was being used. City Engineer Brown re-
ceived the report. came to the scene of the
work and ordered Simms to allow the
cement to be used for half of the pave
ment. Contractor Caldwell spoke to the
engineer about the matter. h poor
cement was used in laying the two outer
stones of the pavement and there was
enough of it to construct about half of the
why did you not tell us this when you
were asked here before?' asked Mr..
Young.
II was not asked"
''You were under oath to tell the whole
TRUTH
Yes. but nothing was said about Ken
We tried TO ask you about it." replied
you knew nothing about it, because you
had been taken from the job. Now, is 1t
not a fact that at that time you were ex.
pecting a reappointment. as an Inspectors"
Yes, sir" answered Simms.
You were afraid your testimony would
interfere with the appointments"
Yes, sir" was the answer.
ID you know the condition of that walk
at present." asked Mr.. Allen. +, ou,
places"
Mr.. Simms further stated that American
ement was used in front of Colonel Lily's
establishment, while the specifications called
for German cement. Mr.. Merritt excused
Mr.; simms after talking to him In a father
asked, and the awful fate awaiting those
who hold back the truth or made misstate-
Casper Roth, a bricklayer employed by
the Acme Paving and Contracting, Conn
nor had he heard Of any. The inspectors.
he thought, were a wide awake set. Inspec-
tor tor sullivan dIIoMsd denied heict that he 6 had stood back
known as the slugger," to lay brick with
out mortar.
The city engineer was given a chance to
explain the statement made by Mr.. Simms.
He said the specifications, as adopted by
the old board, called for German cement.
lie found that inferior brands of the Ger
man make were being used by contractors,
so he instructed the inspectors not to ac-
cept any of German make, Inspector Simms
acted accordingly and stopped the work
on the Kentucky avenue walks. The wit
ness investigated and found that Mr.. Cald-
wells contract called for German cement
and he could not be prevented from laying
the entire walk with that material. The
contractor agreed to change the cement
provided he was allowed to use the ma
terial he had on hand. Mr.. Brown allowed
him to do so, as a compromise. Regarding
the walk IN front or colonel Liiiy's estab-
private contract.
Charles Laycock. of No. 41 East Nc
who had a complaint to offer. He said a
private sewer had been laid in the first
st,ey east "a t6 of Mste alI street. nort from rb McS Saary
had allowed the sewer to be extended, and
also granted other property owners other
ing connections. No record of the sewer
was to be found, he said, and he COM
planned that the whole affair had not been
thought the Board OF Works exceeded the
authority given 1T in allowing the extern
sion and the connections. Mr.. Merritt can
didly informed him that he regarded his
complaint as trivial, and one that could
not be given attention. Mr.; Allen, how
and demanded a further Investigation. The
city engineer explained IL was necessary
ton have the benefit of a sewer. Mr.. Lay
cock intimated that there was a good deal
IN the case II It could be brought out. Mr..
Meyer, of the board, grasped the situation
and kindly offered TO help the matter
along. He said he had spoken for the ex-
tension of the sewer and the extra connec-
IN the petition had paid for their share of
the work. Mr.. Merritt replied that he
would regard 1t as the part of a man to see
that his neighbors had sewer connection,
and he failed to see why. anybody would
upon the matter differently. Mr.. Laycock
was on the stand for an hour, in which
tlme ne for Was tbs R allsw " !, to ne express hts con-
replied rather briskly to his statements,
and Mr.. Brown explained the situation to
him several times.
Walter Cox. a teamster who hauled dirt
Tor foreman Behnning before he and his
gang were discharged, was the next wit
ness. Mr.. Cox said he had received tick
cts for dirt hauled, which he had turned
over to Mr.. Behnntng. and which he UNI
derstood represented the price paid for his
dirt. Witness said he had never received
any money for hauling dirt to any partic-
ular place. He had never hauled feed for
Street COMMISSIONS Fisher on city time,
although he had done some hauling after
hours.
Controller Trusler was recalled as a wit
ness In behalf of Mr.. Fisher. The latter.
he said. had spoken to him about his ina
bility to compel contractors TO repair
streets after a contract had been COM
pleted. Mr.. Fisher had proposed that he
do the work, and then have the boar; take
the cost from the contractors pay. Wit