Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1907-09-13
BOSTON OPROF!T
Mayor Comments on Disclosures
In Coal Graft Probe
FUEL TESTS HEREAFTER

Evil Practices Extended Over Period
of Twenty-F i've Years--City's Coal
Purchases to Be Safe guarded and
Householders to Get Moneys Worth
Boston, Sept. 9.-In a communica-
hon sent to the finance commission,
Mayor Fitzgerald takes exception to
statements made by Attorney Sugh-
rue, counsel for. the commission, in
summing up the results of the recent
hearings at the closing sessions of the
coal inquiry, and points out what he
rays are inaccuracies not borne out by
The facts.
The mayor assures the commission,
however, that the city will surely profit
by the disclosures made at the hear
ngs and explains plans for future
tests, incidently giving the state
quiet rap for not being up-to-date in
al its departments in this respect.
Of the letter to the finance commits
sion, was one sent by the mayor to the
heads of departments, calling their at
sention to the evidence brought out
at the hearings of the finance com
mission, outlining the new plans for
the testing of coal and instructing the
chiefs to get in touch with city en-
pi xr-ba will ~,
sure have full supervision of all such
tests.
At garden party on the ground of
St. Margaret church, Dorchester,
Mayor Fitzgerald spoke concerning the
1nance commissions coal purchase in
luiry, saying in part:
Some of the things that have come
10 the surface are not pleasant to
read, but it is a condition and not a
theory that cOnfrOnts us. The dis
closures that have come to the surface
in the past five years, notably the in
surance scandals, the rebates given by
railroads to favored shippers, the
Standard Oil disclosures, the beef
packing plant scandals, the Bethlehem
steam plant dealings, have shown the
utmost necessity for eternal vigilence
n order that the ordinary citizen may
get his just rights.
The coal dealers are now added
to the category of business men who
must be watched In view of the dis
closures which have come to light in
The past half dozen years of the do
ngs of the so-called honorable business
men, wonder what kind of a business
mans administration we would have
in Boston If the so-called business
men were given the opportunity of
conducting the city's affairs?
1t is regrettable that these prac-
tees, which have admittedly extended
over a period Of more than 25 years in
the city of Boston. have not been rem
edied before the present time.
Il am glad to say here that in the
future the city of Boston will receive
a dollars worth of coal for every 100
cents spent in a coal transaction. 1t
Is the intention of the present admin.
lstration to inaugurate a system in
every department which will properly
protect the city's interests.
I'm this matter, as well as in 9th.
ers, the city will lead the state, and
think you will find that in a very few
days the state and cities surrounding
Boston, taking advantage of the knowl-
edge disclosed before the finance com
mission, will follow the example of
the city of Bottom in insttutng proper
safeguards as regards purchases.
1T is my intention also to protect
the individual householder in this
city, and | am going to urge upon the
next legislature the enactment of legis-
ation which will protect every house.
holder in the quality and quantity OF
coal purchased, as we'll as of all other
articles entering into the living of the
citizens of this city"
Boston, Sept. TN a dramatic
scene Mt the hearing of the finance
commission late yesterday afternoon
. Attorney Sughrue forced c. y. Palmer
manager of the Eastern Clay Goods
company. to admit that he paid one
third of his net profits for influence in
, sales ut city hall. lie admitted thai
onc-third of the profits of the Brighton
sales were paid to man named LANE
as "rake-Off.'
a resume of the weeks proceeding,
of the finance commission 10y its coun