The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-10-21
ON GRICGS' TRAIL
Charges Against Street Com
missioner Being Formulated.
Four Leads Under Which He Is
to Be Attacked.
KEEPING 1T QUIET.
An Investigation Has Been Con-
Quoted Secretly.
Mr.. Griggs Says He Has No
Fears Of Result.

Commissioner G. H. Griggs. and plan |
ming to demand that the council in |
vestigate the affairs of the street de-
partment, the object of the investigation
being to oust Street Commissioner
Griggs from office.
Councilman c. V. Wolf and other
nti-administration men are back of the
movement. Some of the charges which
this clique hopes to establish are as fol-
lows:
Bribery of minor officials of the de-
Failure to account for monies received
from the sale of dirt.
Neglecting to perform work ordered
by the council
incompetence. neglect and extrava-
gance in carrying on the work of the
department.
All the work of investigation so far
| by the members of the self-apDointed
smelling committee has been very
much sub rosa and it was only a few
days ago that Street Commissioner
Griggs received any intimation of what
was on foot 1t is said that at the
meeting of the streets and walks COM
mittee on Friday several counc1lrnen
were let into the secret work which had
been going on. and asked to assist in
securing evidence, though nothing was
officially presented to the committee
So far the councilmen who are work
4 ing on the scent are not very sure OF
their ground. They do rot know wneth-
er to venture to make formal charges,
and unless the clues uDOn which they
are working turn out well, they may
| drop the whole matter. AS near as could
be ascertained. the brunt of the attack
will have to be borne by w. I. Horn,
one of Mr. GriggS' fOremen. By attack
ing Horn, it is believed that Griggs
| record can be injured.
The charge of bribery which it is ru-
mored will be made against the depart
ment is based on the assertion of
certain man living in the west part of
town. who claims to have paid money
to a certain party in Mr.. Griggs' en-
ploy the object of the contribution be-
ing to secure an appointment on the
street force. After the money was paid,
this man failed to get his job He is
sore about it, and is seeking revenge on
Mr.. Griggs.
| The charge of failing to account for
money received in payment for dirt from
the city streets what started the
whole investigation, SO it is said Some
man whose name is secreted within the
rosoms of the select councilmen, claims
that he paid for lot of dirt, which was
duly delivered 1t is said that the records
do not snow where this money was ever
turned into the city treasury, although 1t
is claimed the cash was paid several
months ago by the person who bought the
Girt.
That the investigation has been quietly
mentioned to some of the members OF the
the fact that City Treasurer M. M. Hale,
at the request of the streets and walks
committee, applied to Street Commissioner
Griggs for a complete list of all the pur-
chasers of dirt from his department since
he took office. The committee ovidentls
exnects to find out whether all sales #
the dirt were reported to Mr.. Gr-ggs, and
if so. whether the money was turned in to
the city treasury.
The charge of neglecting to perform
Ov-5a rod hxr 6p council been
brought up before, and Mr. Grlsgs has
| stated that he has carried ont the or
ders of the council ra:-idlv as possible.
The general charge of misnanagement,
neglect and extravaganza is supposed 10
include the alleged failure of The street
department to keep the paved streets
clean, the failure to commence work
promptly at in the morning, and the ex-
cess in expenses for several months ot
E Mr. Griggs administration over CORE
spending months of the previous admin
istratlons- There does not seem to bs
much foundation for any of these charges
When asked today concerning the
rumors of charges against him, Street
Commissioner Griggs said:
when I was asked to furnish a list OF
all dirt sold by this department, I OF
' course knew that something was in the
wind but I have no further information
If there is any question as to the manner
in which this department is being con-
Quoted, hope that the council will give il
q
: for an investigation of all charges hav,
/ nothing to conceal. and so far as I know
2 everything is in perfect condition.
2 "As far as accounting for dirt is con
for which the money has not yet beer
. paid into the city treasury. This is 'o1
: which amounted to only 50 cents. be-
lieve that my foreman, Mr.. Horn, has re
2 ported to me honestly all the sales Of dir
E which he has made. When informed Mr.
. Horn that the committee on Gtreets and
walks was apparently making an investi
CATION, he stated to me that he would
court an investigation of his work; ans
that everything would be found to be NJ
right He also had a talk with Council
n man Weber. chairman of the committed
on streets and walks, and told him th'
IT never heard it intimated that none,
U had been paid by anyone to influence hi
chances of securing a job in this depart
n ment The foremen have had very littl
e to say about who should be on tn
d force. I have in all but two or thre
! | cases accepted the recommendations o
: councilmen without question don't Sc
what good it could do man to pay none.
IT have reason to believe that tn
charges against me and this departmen
have originated with man named BOYD
9 q former employe on the department
5 Boyd wanted a place on the force YER
g much but Gid not have very stron
FnallV ConncInan Men told me- to pu
O him on for little while and I gave hir
= work for one month. Boyd was very ma
- do not consider him a good workman
4. and he has team which is not as goo
= as other teams which I can hire.
: '1n regard to the general charge
% against the way we have done our wori
= 1 can only say that we are willing ou
work should be compared with the wcr
Of any former administration and I be
lieve that it must be admitted that "
have accomplished as much as could /
4 council has been done, SO far as practics
=; BILE. and we have neglected. nothing