Omaha daily bee., 1898-11-13
HARDT HAD TO BE- SEEN FIRST
What a Printer Who Did Some Exposition
Work Found Out.
EXHIBITS DEPARTMENT CAR WAS OPEN
Refused to Endorse n Bill for Goods
Ordered md Delivered untii the
Printer Submitted to II
Graft of $3.50.

II anyone imsgines that II. -. Hard,, who
has been playing an extended engagement
as superintendent OF exhibits OF the expo
sition, has only recently acquired his habit
OF holding up everyone who had business
to do with his department there are plenty
Of people In Omaha who can correct the
error. AS a matter Of fact, Hardt embarked
in the boldup business from the start and
It can be proven on his own authority
that 1t was his practice TO extort substan-
tial presents in return for his influence in
the distribution of exposition patronage.
One OF Hardt's most lucrative gratis was
IN connection with the job printing that was
required during the early days of EXPOSE
ton organization. At that time the exhibits
department was having a large amount of
printing done under Hardts direction and
according TO his own statement no printer
could get In on the deal unless Hardt's
fingers were appropriately creased.
Hardt unbosomed himself to this extent
TO the proprietor of a well known down
town job printing establishment with whom
he was DESTROYS of driving a bargain. Early
in September. 1897. this establishment did
a piece of Job work under contract, the
price of which amounted 10 $40. Soon after
Hardt dropped in at the printing office and
ordered a quantity OF cards bearing his own
name and his official position, for which he
was charged $3.50. On September % a bill
was sent in for the printing and also a bill
for the cards. No answer was received and
some weeks after the proprietor called on
Mr.. Schneider, who had charge OF the Sup
ply department OF the exposition, to see why
the voucher had not been RENTED. He was
informed that the bill had not appeared and
asked him to send a duplicate. This was
done and after another period had elapsed
without returns he called on Mr.. Schneider
again, and was told that the bill remained
in Hardt's hands.
The printer then called on Mr.. Hardt, who
assured him that he had both bills in his
desk. But l have also this bill for $780,"
added the superintendent. "The exposition
don't pay for these and you must make
me a present of them"
The printer did not jump at the oppor-
tunity to conciliate the superintendent of ex-
hibits and Hardt went on: All the printers
make me presents, and you must make
me presents, too. II you don't l won't o.
*. these bills and you won't get any more
OF our business"
Hardt then repeated his statement that IL
his personal bill was receipted he would APP
prove the others at once. This was refused
and Hardt tore the $3.50 bill up and threw
1t In the waste basket. Then he remarked,
Now. If you say that this Is all right l
will approve those bills. IF you don't, 1
won't approve them at ALL" Making the
best OF a bad situation the printer agreed
TO call 1t all right IL Hardt would O. X.
the $40 bill, and this was Immediately done.
He got his money, but he never got another
piece Of work from the Department OF Ex-
hibits. The victim is not looking for pub
licity in connection with the affair, but he
stated his willingness to make affidavit 10
tho facts stated above If 1t should become
desirable.