The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-12-08
COMMITTEE
GIVEN A
HEARING
George R. Sherman Brings
Charges Of D,fraudlng CITY
Against [. B. Jones, Sea|sr.

As result OF written charges preferred
by Charles r sherman over his signature
against Louis b. Jones, city sealer OF
weights ard measures. OF defrauding the
city Of Providence ~ a considerable sum
of money. tho committee on street signs
and numbers summoned the sealer, his
assistant, Mr.. o'Brien, and Mr.. Sherman.
The hearing was held in the city clerks
department and Chairman James r. Free
man presided. assisted by Aldermen Will
liam n. covell and Lewis j. Pierce, the
other members.
The matter was heard In part some
weeks ago. when sealed charges ot Mr.
Sherman brought IL before the board but
nothing irregular OF any moment was
found
Today the committee instructed the men
10 bring with them every book bill or
document that would likely have bearing
on the case.
There was a great mass OF material col
lected i'm which was the letter I'm which
Mr. sherman made his charges II, fol-
lows:
Providence. r. l.. Nov. 30. 1908.
Mr James r. Freeman: Chairman OF the
Committee on street Signs and numbers.
Dear sir:--Tn my note 20 You OF Friday
last stated IL understood the charge
OF defraudng the city preferred against
the supcrin endent OF street signs I'd
numbers had been referred TO your com
mittee.
That presumed you desired TO make a
thorough investigation, and I should be
pleased TO come before yoar committee
for the purpose Of proving the truth o'
the charges made"
I have now your letter OF Saturday b"-
fore me ackno nowledging receipt of the
abuvo referred 10. and in which you add
that if you CD will please do so, stating
what they are, giving us all the particu-
h,rs that you have i'm your possession
ever your own signature.
| understand the charges against Mr..
Iones were placed I'm the hands Of Mayor
MNier last August. That he was chnrsed
with defrauding the city, in that upon va
ticus occasions 10 wit: May 25 June ?. -.
T.. q. 25 and July S, II. ~ he had charged
the city from 10 hours per day a. 80
cents per hour for use OF his team; In
rating up street signs and numbers.
when no work OF that character vas
done By his team on those days. but on
tho days mentioned his team was engaged
in hauling weights and measures from
one store 10 another for sealing purposes
Beyond doubt all this and very much
more can be proved by his own books
at any rate there Is sufficient evidence In
his own handwriting in the city hall tc
prove IL.
| Since there Is no reason why the public
| should not he fully informed OF this mat
| ter | place a copy OF this letter IN the
| hands of the press. | am respectfully
| yours,
tSigned). GEORGE X. SHERMAN.
| Alderman Freeman said that the wit
ncsses would be sworn in and their ties
| timony taken In full lie expressed tn
opinion that the matter would be settle'
up very quickly.
lie said he had read a letter i'm wha
was apparently Mr.. Shermans hand
writing referring to the matter about tw'
weeks ago. but that this was not SUI
fciently eplicit to have IN investigation
upon. This letter was addressed 4
the mayor and was shown to me by Mr.
| Covell" said Mr.. Freeman.