The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-11-14

| Attorney Irving Champlin arose and
asked If that bill ne was quoting from
was the original bill or If Mr.. Waterman
had seen the original bills.
Mr., Waterman inquired I'm what in
| terest the gentleman appeared.
Mr.. Champlin said that he appeared
for the United States Mill Supply com
pany.
| Mr. Waterman said he would take his
cross examination later at the proper
/ time and then continued referring to the
| bill he held as testified to by represen-
| tatives OF the companies which sold the
| goods to the United States Mill Supply
| company.
| These bills showed that the goods
were purchased of that concern by the
1 purchasing agent at prices which were
| greatly In advance of those which the
city could have purchased from the same
SOURCES as did the u. s. Mill Supply COM
pany.
| OBJECTED TO OLD BILLS
Mr.. Champlin objected to Mr.. Water
| mans going back into the old bills which
had been paid He said that his clients
had not been given notice that these
former dealings were to be raked out
and gone over
| we cannot be expected 10 answer
charges in which we have had no time
| to prepare our side" he said.
John w Hogan, representing Mr. Pyne.
| offered objections. saying that he felt
that the purchasing agent should not be
obliged to answer charges which reacted
| upon others.
| The committee allowed the testimony
| and Mr. Waterman continued: 'ln Feb
| ruary last Belcher e. Loomis sold TO the
United States Mil Supply company scis-
sors for $3.50. The latter company charged
| the city sl4"
| An item from Relcher q Loomis' bill
Ipa ua1 "A 10 Mr. Nnt far N,
who said II looked like sledge handles.
Mr. Champlin caustically suggested
hammers" but Mr.. Waterman said as
only IA cents was charged IL must be
simple handlers for the mill supply people
charged the city only one cent more.
l went to the purchasing agents office
and asked for the 800 gross OF pencils that
were on the bill and the clerk said that
they they had not come but that the de-
partment needed them badly.
This item had been checked up on the
bill which was approved, said Mr.. Water
man.
REPORT SOME DAY.
| / then asked the clerk where the paper
was that was checked as arrived on the
bill which was presented for approval.
| The assistant said IL was down stairs. or
| some OF IL was. He had not checked II of
4 TO see how much had been received, he
| stated but as IL was being sent To the
schools direct he stated they would get n
report from there later probably.
Mr.. Hogan, Mr. Pyne's counsel. asked
| who the man was that made that state
ment and Mr.. Waterman indicated the
young man sitting beside him, Mr.. ward
MIR. Waterman then asked that the
clerks report on his investigation OF the
bids and prices changed be produced.
Henry u Rose. the clerk. produced the
/ report which Mr. Waterman submitted
tAa,k a hon.
that not only was there excessive
amounts purchased. but that there were
| great overcharges on many items sold by
| the L. 8. Mil supply company.
Attorney Champlin said: I'D like TO ask
! the gentleman one question. He makes no
reference to what was paid by the city in
! the past or whether the other concerns
that have dealt with the city have made
a profit. IL that Is the case what nmpro-
priety IL there In it?'' ! don't see where
the charges apply.
HIRED FOR THAT PURPOSE
I charge that the purchasing agent is
paid some $500 a year 10 do the very
thing which the United states Mill Sup
ply company has done. TO 40 around TO
these different firms and save the city
all this percentage and commissions.
which they have made.
There was a burst OF applause at this
from the audience.
THE DErENSE
The defense as outlined by Mr.. Champ
I'm was That the mill supply com
pany furnished everything according
Co the samples submitted by IT.
Mr.. Barney OF the executive committee
asked ~ the gentleman contended that
the caps submitted was ~ pound caps.
Mr.. Champiin said that N the sample
was SO then the goods were.
The bids that were made were all
registered Mr. Champlin said, and IL the
purchasing agent approved the samples
that were not UP to the requirements,
that was his affair. not that OF his
clients
CAP UNDER WEIGHT.
Mr.. Waterman said that the cap that
was delivered was under weight I'm re-
spOnse 10 question from Mr. Pynes at
torney and he further stated he had seen
Il weighed
Tie had also been Informed that Il was
under weight by the executive commit
tee, he said.
MIR Beagan inquired when he heard tho
statement and Mr.. Waterman answered
/ that he should have said members OF the
executive committee for they did not
speak a unit.
Here Mr. Hogan bcgan TO inquire about
| The bill for SCISSORS.
| Mr.. Waterman eaid: "You baVe ra |
| terred 10 some scissors. for which Won
| cain the supply company charged tho
| city tib DO you not know that Rcichar a
Sonunued ON page Five.