The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-27
THAT RICKETTS, DEAL
THE LEGISLATIVE INVESTIGATION
BRINGS OUT MORE FACTS.
Price Shown to He Too High, and
Loose business Methods Demon
strated-Loeper's Change of Front.

at the Statehouse last night Chairman
Moore, of the investigating committee, was
prevented from being present by duties
which called him into his branch of the
Legislature The other members were there
and the inGuisition waxed warm Commits
sioner Loeper and attorney Dryer, legal
advisor for the board, put in an appear
ance early. They did not remain and Mr..
Loeper left the building fretting under the
restraint of very bad humor The COM
missioner came to be examined, and attor-
ney Dryer was there to conduct the cross
examination of some other witnesses Chair
man Moore said it would be impossible TO
accommodate either gentleman. Attorney
Dryer suggested that as Mr.. Loeper,
through some former testimony, had been
put in peculiar attitude before the COM
munity. it was just that citizen of the
highest standing should be given an OPP
portunity to defend himself.
That's all very true" said Chairman
Moore, ''but I think you gentlemen under
stand-or should understand the mode of
investigation adopted by this committee.
Now, don't wish to discuss this question
with either of you, and can only say that
when we want you we will send for you"
Commissioner Loeper left the room with
scowl, but the attorney remained. Presi
dent Charles Martindale present, but
was not called. Commissioners Scott and
Roth were both subjected to the most
rigid inquiry regarding the purchase of the
Ricketts, property. Each was on the wit
ness stand an hour. The committee had
planned to take the testimony of John p.
Frenzel, the ex-president of the board last
night but that gentleman was excused on
account OF pressing social duties.
Calling for evidence as to the value of the
Ricketts, property the examination began
IAomas n. Spann, OF John >. spann q Co,
real estate dealers, testified as to the value
of Indianapolis real estate. He had lived
here for twenty-five years and was ac-
quainted with the value of North Pennsyl-
vania-street lots He thought the Ricketts,
property recently purchased by the School
1892 real estate, the witness thought, was
worth more money than in 1894. The de-
preston of real estate came in July and
provements on the ground could be utilized
by the board to any considerable advan-
tage.
Horace Mckay, a real estate dealer of
twenty-four years experience, rated the
Ricketts, property at much less than the
price paid by the School Board. He thought
property. Mr.. Mckay testified that in No
vember, 1892. the Ricketts, property was
one hundred feet of ground. The entire
plat was offered him by John ". Murphy
building on the ground to be of little value
if the school commissioners intended erect
ing new buildings Horace Hadley put the
$4,000 to s45. eoo. W. Hamilton milton who had had
lived in Indianapolis for fifty years and
was formerly a real estate dealer. thought
sioner W. w Scott was called; He had
been a member of the School Board, he
said since July, 1891; was on the library
committee for two years; was also on the
building and grounds committee at one
time, but resigned because of other duties.
rs that the only reason you had for re-
signing?,' asked attorney Brown:
pes think dnt So returned IT me the witness
on one of the committees?"
yes, sir, | did,
$4,000 that. was borrowed for the manual
training school?'
-. don't remember about the equipment
do you know how much money has been
borrowed for the school aside from the
I think there is out about 100000 of the
boards notes. They are all drawing s
per cent
do you know who hold the notes?"
Mr.. Scott remembered a number of
made in the library building. Mr.. Loeper
objected to warrants being drawn in favor
Of the Buffalo Forge Company Loeper
finally changed front and recommended that
the company's work be accepted. This was
after the company had sent their agent
here. Witness once asked the agent what
Loeper around. The agent made no reply,
but significant smile passed over His
features.
Mr. Remy asked: 'sMr Scott. what did
you say was your reason that you resigned
from the he committee on buildings and
well I did no like Mr.. Loepers manner
of doing business. 1t was somewhat diff
ferent from mine
What reason did you have for talking
to the agent of the Buffalo Forge Com
pany about Mr.. Loener?"
m RI or,I --sI
Loeper had agreed to favor his company's
work"
Mr.. Scott, what caused you to think that
Mr.. Loeper had been influenced. Did YOU
by Mr. Petit "'A'N
mo, I did not think anything about it.
l knew that Mr.. Loeper had objected to the
payment of Sl,50o claim and had apparent
ly experienced q change"
What was the occasion of sending to
Chicago for an expert?" asked Mr.. Petit
II don't know'" replied the witness;
Buffalo Forge Company INC
Yes sir, / think So"
Can you tell US the amount of money
paid Mr.. Loeper by the Buffalo people for
his change of front?"
mo, / cannot do SOL
was going on, didn't your
IN" IN. ! can't say that | did"
that there is rule by which the School
Board cannot spend more than 500 without
q
Yes, sir, there is a rule of that kind.
Has 1T been lived up tor"
NO, think not on all occasions"
MR., BELL QUESTIONED.
w. A. Bell, editor of the Indiana School
Journal, said he was the School Board
for six years. He left the board nine years
ago, being succeeded by John B. Conner.
Mr.. Bell was a member of the boardswhen
the High School building on North Penn
sylvania street was built At that time the
board discussed the ACCESSIBILITY of erecting
the building SO that an addition could be
built in the rear. The majority of the board
decided that the building should be placed
near the street, leaving sixty feet in the
clear between the building and q thirty-foot
alley. Witness thought it would be practi-
cable to build back flush with the alley for
High School purposes. He thought the
ground fronting south on Michigan street
would be more desirable for school building
purposes than ground fronting on Pennsyi-
vania street.
Commissioner Charles c. Roth was called
to tie " to the operations of the board
since uly, 1892. Mr.. Frenzel was on the
board when the witness was elected Mr.
Roth said that he had been on the building
and grounds committee since he first be-
came a member of the board He remem-
bered that the board sent to Chicago for a
mechanical expert during the construction
OF the library heating apparatus. Mr..
of the board very regularly. He always
-ad in, he 1oyaa Nv hi