The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-17
JUICY PLUMS PLUCKED


ters on file. but Clerk Hayden. when
asked by representative OF the News
Democrat IL he had Mr.. Heaths letter,
said he had not
When seen at his office by a re-
porter Mr. Heath said he had not asked
the committee for the gas piping work.
and did not learn OF the committees
action until he received Mr.. Evans
letter.
When asked IL he believed that his
membership on the committee had any
influence I'm the matter, Mr.. Heath said:
mo, | do not think so. The committee
desired to divide the work among the
various contractors. and IL happened
to be my turn"
His attention was called to the fact
that Alderman John c. Dunn and Rep
resentative Thomas T. Manney had
secured the largest OF the city's con-
tracts for some time. Mr.. Heath could
not explain why, but thought that IL
was not through any political influence.
Mr.. Heath stated, I'm all seriousness.
that the gas piping work will cost
about $500. He denied statement
that ne had thus far received s54s.61
for the work. and said he had only
received a few cents over s3S6.
Inquiry at the city auditors office re-
vealed the fact that Mr.. Heath had re-
ceived to date $516.69 and that there was
a
OF this month.
Mr. Heath denied the rumor that AL
derman Dunn had any trouble with the
committee because he did not get the
plumbing contract
Mr.. Dunn. according to Mr.. Heath, re-
ceived over $4,000 for municipal work last
year. and recently entered into an agree
ment TO lay certain sewer piping at a
cost not exceeding $1,000.
ya1 h. l,ad
entered into such an agreement, and said
he had not lie stated that he did not
lay sewer pipe as II was not in his line
OF work. Mr. Dunn said further that he
had done no work for the city this year
Councilman Heath told the reporter
later that Mr.. Dunn had himself dis
covered the need of the repairs and had
IL brought TO the committees attention.
Councilman jeremiah II. Hall. chair
man of the city property committee.
stated that the committee was author
lied by the city council to award the con-
tract for plumbing with or without adver-
tsng for bids and acting under this
authority the committee met and gave
the work to Thomas f. Manney.
When asked II any other plumbing con-
tractors were requested TO make an offer
or estimate. Mr. Hall said they had not
been requested to submit bids.
Councilman Clifford S. Tower OF the
committee stated that Mr.. Manney had
done much of the cty's plumbing work
for a number OF years and was consd-
cred a competent man. The work is 10
be done by the day, he explained. and the
cost is not to exceed $1,000
When asked why Mr.. Dunn's offer TO do
the work for an amount not to exceed
$4,000. was not accepted. Mr.. Tower said
that the men employed by Alderman
ha
ployed by Mr. Manney
Therefore" continued Mr.. Tower. Mr.
Manney can do the works at as low
cost as Mr.. Dunn can, and the city would
not like TO see n man lose money on job
Would you?"
When asked why Alderman Dunn should
have been so angry with the committee
over losing the contract. Mr.. Tower re-
piled: when a man makes an offer three
weeks after "A contract is awarded | do
not think his bid should be considered
Naturally man is Jealous when he loses
a contract"
Alderman Dunn told reporter that he
had misunderstood the actual amount OF
work TO he done when he made his esti-
mate OF the cost OF the work, but ua-
MED that he had received any city CON
tracts this year.
Mr.. Heath's statement regarding Alder
way OF sewer pipe laying is i'm accord
with the story current at city hall. which
also offers as an explanation that this
was given TO him as sleeping potion"
20 quiet him when he Kicked on the
awarding OF the plumbing contract to
Assemblyman Manncy
That there has been great deal OF
jobbery In connection with the Technical
High school work Is asserted by ohscrv-
ers; and some do not hesitate TO say that
while this is not by any means new with
the city hall ring. an Investigation would
Teveal a condition Of things not even
imagined by the severest political critics
OF those who run things at city hall. and
which would create the biggest sensation
this city has known
To ascertain all the actual facts.
however is extremely diff1cult because
OF the monner in which such matters
are oleverly covered up at the city hall