The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-02
He Says the Latter Demanded a Per
Cent. of Gross Receipts for the
Campaign Fund.
CITIZENS LEAGUE INTERESTED
MIR. LOGSDON MAKES AN EMPHATIC
AND COMPLETE DENIAL.
Marion County Construction Company
and III. b. Gates-StatementsO Of
the Persons Involved.

Affidavits containing charges of serious
character in connection with the city
sprinkling contract have been made by
John H. Furnas and Fred Fuehring,
sprinkling contractors, and are now N the
possession of A. L. Mason, attorney for the
Citizens League. Mr.. Mason refused to
disclose the affidavits last night.
Mayor Bookwalter in a statement last
night said he would investigate the
charges.
had represented to John H. Furnas, Fred
erick and William Fuehring, Conrad Rust
and Fred w. Noting that it was the purs
pose to give Remington Bros. the sprink-
ling contract for 1903 and that E. d. Logs
don. a member of the Board of Works and
chairman of the Republican city commit
tee. had told Remington Bros. that 10 per
cent. Of the gross receipts must be paid to
the Republican campaign fund.
According to the affidavits. the Kenning-
tons who made these representations ad-
mitted that this was high figure, but said
everything would be made even by permit
ting the widening of the space in the
streets that is included in the area on
which payments are based. For instance,
the area Of fifty-foot street is computed
by thirty feet of it's width and its length.
Widening it would not require additional
work. but would increase the pay Of the
contractor.
WHEN THEY WE'RE MADE.
1t is alleged that these representations
were made between Feb. q and March g.
The first sprinkling bids were received
Feb. 27. According to the Board of Public
Works all were rejected at special meet
ing of the board held March at o'clock
in the afternoon. 1t was before these bids
were rejected that 1t is alleged Remington
made these representations.
The affidavits also allege that last year
when Rust & Remington had the sprink-
ling contract portions were sublet to Fur
mas and the Fuehring brothers Kenning-
ton. it is alleged. said the contractor must
give $500 month to the campaign fund.
After the reception of the bids of Feb
q. w. H. Newby. who was the lowest
bidder, brought a suit to enjoin the letting
of the contract TO Remington His suit
was filed at o'clock on the evening of
March 5. The board answered by setting
up its record showing that at the special
meeting at o'clock, March B. il had re-
tected all bids. Clerk Harris. of the board,
fore O'Clock on the morning of March 6.
EIGHT PER CENT. OF RECEIPTS.
1t is further alleged in the afidavits that
last Sunday. after bids were received a
second time. Rust and another contractor
went to Kennington's office. After Rust
retired the other contractor was told that
Logsdon had said s per cent. of the gross
receipts would be accepted instead of the
10 per cent. demanded on this years con-
tract.
A. L. Mason said last night: 'aThe
charges as published are substantially the
same as those contained in the afidavits In
possession of the Citizens League, although
no one has mad access to them. The in
formation must have come from the per-
sons making the affidavits."
Mr.. Mason said the league was making
its Investigations and was well provided
with Information. but that the publication
of its information was not authorized
The Citizens League also has af7idavits
relating TO the city sweeping contract.
This contract is In the hands of the Marion
County Construction Company. 1t was
granted last February for period Of three
years The Board Of Public Works Is still
recognizing II as In force. although the
law permitting contracts for Q period OF