The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1909-04-17
CHICAGo'S GRAFT
City Departments Have Been Engaged
In Extensive Scheme.


John E. w. Wayman will take person.
al charge of an investigation of alleg-
ed extensive grating in the city de-
partments, brought to the surface by
the recent arrest of Hugh Smith of
the board of plumbing examiners.
Allegations of general effort to
shield Smith. in which the health,
building and police departments have
been mentioned. have precipated the
long-expected break between the city
administration and the north side."
An open rupture is looked for be-
cause Of the grand jury probe States
Attorney Wayman is expected to de-
mand.
1t would occasion little surprise
about the criminal courts. said an at
tache thereof, if the Smith incident
indirectly led to a demand on the
prosecutors part that the grand jury
inquire into the eXtortion practiced
on gamblers in his name.
Haney Said to be Prosecuted.
First development of the day came
in a report to the states attorneys
office that in addition to having been
threatened by city officials and uni
formed police. George S. Haney, who
caused Smiths arrest, was being per-
secuted through failure of the proper
city inspectors to examine his work.
In consequences eight stores in Nor
wood Park and two fiat buildings at
423 Humboldt avenue, for which he
has contracts, are tied up
Next came an announcement from
the plumbing examiners office that no
certificate would be issued to Haney
as master plumber. as he had failed
to qualify. the rejection being given
the date of last Thursday. This is
several days before the occasion when
Smith is alleged to have accepted $50
In marked bills from him for grant
ing the license without further delay.
Victims Legal Standing Small.
AS Smith was arrested. according to
the allegations. with the money in
his possession before he had oppor-
tunity to prepare the certificate. Han
ey is without legal standing other than
that established by his examination
papers, which will be seized and taken
into court. where the board may be
made defendant in mandamus proceed
ings If it persists in refusing to issue
the certificate.
Meanwhile. Assistant States Attor-
ney Victor P. Arnold, who unearthed
the alleged eXtortion system, has ad-
vised Haney to continue his business
and declares the states attorneys Of
flee will dismiss all prosecutions city
officials may attempt to bring against
him for placing plumbing without a
masters license
Report Said to he Misleading.
Action Of the board in declaring
Haney had failed to qualify full
week ago was accepted at the states
attorneys Office as proof that mis-
leading report had been given Health
Commissioner Evans. who. as ex-
officio presiding officer of the board,
attempted to inquire into the situa-
tion yesterday. AS the fruit of his in
quiry he gave out an interview in
which he questioned the good faith of
the states attorneys Office in insist
ing upon the issuance of the license
and stated that both Haney and a rep
resentative of States Attorney Way
man had been informed the subject
'o"'N oo uiopoSSu vi at LlCctluS
the board at l o'clock this afternoon.
Notice that he had been without
standing for week was served on
Haney at 9:20 a. nj.
Declares Evans Will Investigate.
Commissioner Evans was absent from
Chicago today. but the secretary of
the department Edward Pritchard. as
serted he would assuredly cause an
investigation to be made in the light
OF today's developments.
Mr.. Arnold. who is in charge OF the
work of the grand Jury. prepared a
detailed report for Mr.. Wayman.
Smith Only Board Member Present,
Smith. the member of the board un-
der arrest. was the only one present
at the board Office in the forenoon with
the exception of Dennis Mccarthy,
city detective assigned to duty there.
o. W. Herman and George Mcconnell
are the other members OF the body.
the latter. who is member of the
legislature, being its secretary. while
Health Commissioner Evans is nomi-
nally its head. He has never taken
an active part in the conduct Of the
department.