The Savannah morning news., 1901-01-04
MAYOR WILL SEE ABOUT 1T.
AID. FARRELL CHARGED WITH
DISCLOSING CONTRACT BIDS.

Columbia Drug Company Addressed
n Communication TO the Mayor Al
Ieging Discrimination Against II
by Dr. FARRELL, Chairman of Public
Health Committee in Favor OF
Lfppman Bros. in Awarding Con-
tract for Supplies for City Dispen-
sary-AId. FARRELL Admitted He Is
Charged with DishOnesty-His
Friends Confident of His Position.
An investigation will be held by Mayor
Myers to-day of alleged discrim-
ination against the Columbia Drug
Company, practiced by Alderman J. G.
farrell, chairman of the Committee OF
Public Health of Council In the awarding
of contracts for furnishing the City Dis
pensary with drugs, medicines and sup
plies. r,e,,s -,
Alderman nJarFeI was seen last night
discuss them, but finally said: They have
brought charges of dishonesty against me.
1 would like a full and public hearing be-
fore the Mayor. Further than that have
nothing to say"
The manner of the alderman while max
ing this statement betrayed no concern
as to the result, and his friends are con-
fident that nothing to his discredit will
develop in the investigation. His probity
and honesty have never been questioned
before, nor would Mr.. Smith of the Co
lumbia Drug Company, or Mr.. n. ]. Gill
lespie, its manager, say that any charges
had been preferred against the alderman.
When the representatives. of the Column
bia Drug Company were seen they pre-
served an absolute quiet upon the ques-
ton of the charges, not even admitting
that the communication they had address,
ed to the Mayor was in the nature of
charges. The matter, they said, was in
the hands of the Mayor, and they did not
believe that they were at liberty to give
out anything about it in advance of the
hearing.
Mayor Myers was seen about the mat
ter, but he, too, was reticent He al
United that there would be a hearing to-
day. but would not enter upon a discus
sion of the nature of the charges made
Summons. he admitted, had been issued
Ior several Witnesses, whose testimony
upon the case was desired.
These summonses were served yester-
day afternoon. Inose who received them
were, Messrs. ]. G. Smith, f. A. Smith.
N. j. Gillespie, of the Columbia Drug
Company, Jacob Lippman OF Lippman
Bros, J. NJ. Baker and F.. j. Kieffer.
Jr.. keeper and assistant of the City Dis
pensary.
Further inquiry developed the story of
the alleged discrimination Several
wholesale druggists of Savannah sub
mitted bids to supply the City Dispen-
sary with the understanding that the
award would be to the lowest bidder The
Columbia Drug Company and Messrs
Lippman Brothers were among the bid
ders, and the bid of the Columbia Drus
Company was the lowest Alderman
farrell, it is claimed, as chairman of the
Committee on Public Health, under whose
charge such matters fall. directed the
keeper of the dispensary to send the bids
to him after opening them at the time
that had been fixed upon. This was done
and 1t is claimed that Alderman farrell
then discovered that the bid of the Co.
lumbia Drug Company was lowest. The
alderman, 1t is charged pencilled a note
on the envelope enclosing the Columbia
Drug Company bid and sent it to Messrs
Lippman Brothers. The note. it Is said
was to the effect that if Lippman Broth.
ers could meet or beat the figures of the
Columbia Drug Company they might
have the contract. How this ever reach.
ed the Columbia Drug Company Is moi
known.