The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1902-05-21
HEATH A SLEUTH
Donning Gum Shoes. He
Steals Away to InVes-
tigate Metres.
O'CONNoR ASSISTS
Their Efforts Foiled by a
Street and Water Board
Employe.

Pagan, Auditor Heath, of the Board or
Finance, learned that a claim for S20.0UU
in favor of the Jersey City Supply Com
pany for metres and other supplies for
the Street and Water Boards stables in
Wayne and Mercer street had reached
the Mayor for signature. The work for
which this claim was passed was award
ed the Jersey City Supply Company last
August, in contract for which there
were several other bidders all higher
than this company. But Heath and
Mayor Pagan came to the conclusion
that they might be able to gain some
thing in the way of political capitol
should they make sudden and unex-
pected investigation of the stables. Then
they planned a campaign. 1t was de-
cided that Heath and Secretary OConnor
stables and see what they could see.
They put on rubber shoes, but refrained
from DISCUSSES of any other kind, and
when no one was looking stole out Of
the City Hall this morning shortly after
10 o'clock and took to the side streets.
They did not leave the hall together, but
departed by different ways and met on
corner. All clever detectives do that,
and Heath and O'Connor are clever de-
tectiyes they think Reaching the vicin-
ity of the stables the two held a CONSUL
tation. 1t was decided to enter by diff
ferent ways. Then those in charge
would have no chance to escape. Ac-
cordingly, one entered the Wayne street
and the other on the Mercer street side.
George Siebert, who was in charge,
was just picking up metre.
.Ha caught with the goods on him.
exclaimed Auditor Heath, and he made
a note
Siebert stopped work long enough to
tell the visitors how delighted and honor
ed he was with their visit.
1.-The papers. Where are the papers, =
shouted Heath.
''And the books" added O'Connor.
s'And the metres,' came from Heath,
as an afterthought.
What do you want?" asked Siebert,
angered at the cunning and annoying
manner of the visitors.
Il represent Mayor Fagan," said
O'Connor.
ME. too." said Heath.
I'VE want to go over the books and
the stock to see how things are here"
said o'Connor.
Certainly. Here are the books
Both the sleuths made mad rush at
the books but We're stopped by Siebert,
who asked
Have you an order from Commits
sioner Heintze or any other Street and
Water Commissioners?
NO"
''Then you can't see anything here"
The tone was firm and the manner
firmer.
"Foiled." hissed Heath.
Then they rushed to the telephone, and
in faltering tones told Mayor Pagan the
tale.
Mayor Pagan was angry. He sent for
Clerk Bouton in a hurry and demanded
an explanation Clerk Bouton was very
sorry. Siebert had his instructions. He
explained that had Heath and O'Connor
shown the Board of Street and Water
Commissioners any courtesy, and asked
for permission or even mentioned the
matter beforehand, there would have
been no trouble. Then Clerk Bouton
went to the stables and accorded O'Con-
nor and Heath the freedom of the
stables.
Their work was not finished up to a
late hour this afternoon, and they could
not be seen for opinions.
Mayor Pagan was seen, and he said
that he had sent his secretary to gather
information that he had needed for some
time to do business Understandings. He
excused Siebert's actions on the ground
that the orders of the Street apd Water
Commissioners should be carried out