The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-09-05
KANSAS news.
Wichita Aldermen Charged
With Accepting Brides.
Ex-LaEor Commissioner Bird
Makes Complaint.
He LOST THE CONTRACT
Says 4The Boys OF the Council
Wanted Something"
The Mayor VIII Veto the Action
of the Lawmakers.

Wichita, Sept 5-Says the Beacon:
Three members of the city council of
Wichita have been charged with being
improperly influenced by w. G. Bird,
ex-labor commissioner, representative
Of the Economy Street Light company,
of Kansas City. Mr.. Bird was one of
the bidders before the council when 200
street lights were purchased of the
NJ. & NJ Oxygen Light company, of
Kansas City. The contract was award
ed to the latter company at a price of
$3.50 per lamp although the bid Of the
Economy company was $21. Mr.. Bird
charges that when he first came to
Wichita it was with the intention Of
making q bid to furnish the lamps at
S15 each. After consulting with several
of the aldermen he was induced t.
raise his bid to $2l per lamp and tine
difference between his original price
and the 81 was TO go to the council as
compensation for the contract. He
made the following statement to q.
Beacon reporter today:
The whole deal was prearrangeL
About August I, Mr.. Morey, repre- sen
tative OF the NJ. & N. light company,
came to our Office in Kansas City, and
requested our company to make bid
for the lights. He said it would take
about $1,000 to get the deal through and
that he would do all in his power to
help US. AT first we would not listen
to his proposition, but he came around
the next day and even went 50 far as
to offer to pay our expenses in TIE
event we did come here and did not get
the contract.
7 came TO Wichita, and. acting ON
MOrey'S suggestion. Went to a certain
alderman and laid the proposition be-
fore him. He said he could get the rest
Of the council to act with him in the
matter. When I returned this last time
l again went to the same councilman
and asked hiln what he had accomp-
lShed in the matter. He said ne had
only been able to get four men to stand
by the proposition, and suggested that
! approach the individual men bers. /
did So and when the question came up
last night, I was surprised to find All Of
the men who had agreed to stand by
me, vote the other way. 1t is very clear
to me that my company was US
merely as q blind in the letting of the
contract The whole matter was pre-
arranged between certain members of
the council and the NJ. & NJ. company.
The councilman to. whom I first made
the tender of money for his support.
fearing that I was not acting in good
faith, wrote the president of the COM
panl. asking if any offer I made would
be backed by them. He now has a let
ter from the president of the company
to the effect that they would
Il talked plainly to three of the al
dermen and told them exactly what we
would do. 7 have left an authorized
bid with the lighting committee Of the
council offering to furnish 200 lights for
SIS each which is our factory price
without trimmings. / understand that
the mayor will refuse to sign the con
tract anyhow, in which event my bid
viii probably receive consideration"
Mayor Mclean viii veto the action Of
the city council by refusing to sign the
contract to purchase 200 lights from the
NJ & NJ. Oxygen Light company. passed !
by the council at last nights meeting