The herald., 1897-12-09
LOS ANGELES HERALD. THURSDAY MORNING. DECEMBER 1897

first refused to consider the proposition
but later, according to what Axtell says
he told him, he paid the man. Axtell
therefore understood that in paying
Webb the $500 he was reimbursing him.
HELLMAN'S CONNECTION
Then Hellman came In for his inning.
1t was repeated that Hellman had visit
ed Axtell In the basement of the Spring
street school and had there said: Keep
a stiff upper lip, old man; we will stand
by you. We will get you the best attor-
ney in the city" Axtell said that He'll
man had mentioned two or three names
which he could not remember, as persons
who were going to contribute to pay the
attorney.
The manner Of purchasing supplies
was inquired into, with the result that
Axtell swore that never at any time had
he had anything to say as to where goods
for the school department should be pur-
chased. Asked II he had not from time
to time recommended Hellman's place
of business, he replied that he had never
presumed to make such suggestions to
the board. Every requisition which was
given to him invariably bore the name Of
the firm from whom the purchase was
to be made. He had no power
| whatever to throw business to any
one firm. He could see no reason why
Hellman or his firm should treat him
with any marked consideration, as he
had never been able to throw them any
business whatever.
did you not think 1t strange that
Hellman should interest himself in your
| 20 ha a~to ofu In OF
ney for your was asked by Mr.. Gibbon.
mo, / did not" was the reply. II
thought Hellman was acting for Webb,
and 1t was all in the agreement that we
were to stand together"
BY dint OF persistent questioning II
was brought out that during the term of
office of the board before the last one,
Furrey & Co. had the contract for hard
ware and other supplies. The last board
changed this, giving the business to
Harper Reynolds & Co.. because. 1t is
said, one of the members of that board
| was a stockholder in that company.
When the present board came into office
O new contract was entered into with
Furrey & Co. The contract with Harper
Reynolds & Co. was said by Axtell to be
in force when the McInerny goods were
purchased; but. ignoring that contract,
Webb was giving the bulk Of the busi-
| ness to Furrey & Co.
PURCHASE OF SUPPLIES
AS to the manner in which the sup
pies were purchased It was shown that
the only committee which had the .au-
thority to purchase such supplies as
were furnished by the firm in which
Hellman is interested was the furniture,
repairs, fuel and building supplies CON-
mlttee Of which Webb ID chairman. The
other members are Messrs. Adams and
Conrey. This explains Axtells state
ment that he did not want Mr. Conrey
| to know OF the Mc1nerny plumbing mat
| ter The reQuisitions are made out by
the chairman of the committee OF by any
two members Of it,and 1t was therefore
within Webb's power to order the goods
from Hellman's company in spite Of any
other contract. Axtell swore last night
that that was Just what he did. This
may explain Hellman's interest in the
matter. Mr.. Poor's questions brought
out the previous contract with the Fur
rey company.
At the conclusion Of the examination
Secretary johnson demanded to know OF
Axtell what had become of the duplicate
order Of goods that had been purchased
on one reQuisition. T1e desires to trace
this matter In his books. Axtell seemed
unwilling to answer at fret. but finally
said the goods were used in the Vernon
school.
That concluded Axtell's examination.
Mr.. Gibbon was asked II he would have
other evidence to introduce and he as
sured the defense that he certainly
would. He said. however, that he hoped
to conclude his side Of the case tonight.
The board then adjourned until 1880
o'clock this evening.