The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-18
o'Hara and Caravan
Have No Claim.

Mayor Rufus B. Dodge, Jr., has We
toed the orders passed by the city
council for the compensation of John
O'Hara, for personal injuries sustained
I Ehile at work on the Canterbury
street school house, and for payment Of
money to Ellen J. Canavan for com
pensation for the death Of her hus-
band, Edward j. Canavan, who was
killed as the result of fall at the
Lee street school house.
He says in each instance that they
have no claim against the city, and the
payment of city funds for a gratuity
ia not proper. The information of the
veto was made known to few mem
bets of the committee on claims of last
years city council, which passed the
order for the payment of $500 to O Hara,
AND Mayor Dodge was severely criti-
cizHd. The other order involved only
500 and was passed by the city coun-
CHATTER the committe on claims had
given the petitioner leave to with
DIV.
0Hara, in his petition, alleged that
hewas injured April %, 1898, while at
work on the Canterbury street school
house. He was on the staging ON the
third floor and received tub of bricks
Which was hoisted by a tackle, horse
drawing it up. There was no little
ring in the bail of the bucket, as is
customary, SO that the hook of the
tackle could be inserted. 1t was tied
tof the bail by rope. O'Hara had to
unfasten the rope, and While he was
doing SO the horse was started up.
O'Hara was thrown to the ground and
sustained a broken back. He has been
Ciftr fol he
and was bound in a plaster cast. He
is now perfectly helpless and will al
Ways be so, being able to move only
aAfew feet from his bed and that by
means of crutches. The city was in
sifed with the Employers Liability In
srrance Company of New York against
any accident to it's workmen. O'Hara's
c0unsel Thayer & Cobb, secured from
the insurance company $780, the COM
pAny thinking the city would pay $500.
The committee on claims received the
petition and reported an order for the
payment of that sum, which was
ptssed.
Mayor Dodge, in vetoeing the order,
SAYS to the city council: 81 return here
WITH without my approval, an order to
Day John O'Hara $500 for injuries to
person. The injury occurred at the
canterbury street school, and the city
holds a policy of insurance to indem-
My it from any loss. I understand
that a suit has been brought by Mr..
QHara, and If he has any merit in his
case, the insurance company will pay
the judgment Said company has as
shmed the defense of said case and ac-
knowledges it's liability if any damages
are incurred. If the city pays the
money, under the terms of the order,
the insurance company will not be Ii
able to reimburse 1t for the whole or
any part thereof. If the amount is
given as mere gratuity, that is a
reason why my approval should be
Withheld
Canavan was painter in the employ
Of the city at the Lee street school
house. On July 25 he mounted the
roof to arrange a roof board, while
Barnard ]. Wilmot and William Coffey
held the ladder beneath. The ladder
slipped and Caravan fell. The acct
dent happened at SIS o'clock, and at
fl.50 Caravan died. The petit
ton was presented by his widow,
Ellen ]. Canavan, who was
kiven leave to withdraw at the
meeting, Dec. 49, A week later that
action was reconsidered, and an order
to pay her $500 was passed. This or
den Mayor Dodge vetoed, stating his
REASONS as follows: Il return herewith
Without my approval an order to pay
Hlllen ]. Caravan the sum of 500.
understand that this claim was report
led upon adversely by the committee on