The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1909-05-03

munity is Against Man
Taking Business from
Board of Which He Is a
Member.
John J. Mcnamara, a member of the
large shoe firm of Holbrook & Nc
Namara, made public a communica-
ton, this morning in which he refers
in caustic language to the recent in
terview by Charity Commissioner John
E. Foster, in which the latter stated
his attitude toward the proposed in
vestigation of the Board of Charities,
of which he is a member.
Mr.. McNamara says that nobody has
called Mr.. Foster a thief and that
the personal honesty of the commits
stoner is in no way impugned. He
continued with the statement that the
subject Of criticism is the fact that
Commissioner Foster. while a member
of the Board has permitted his firm
to take large amount Of business
from the board. The communication
follows:
ITO the Editor of the Farmer, SIR
In a statement made by John E.
Foster. member of the Board of Char
tiles. in your paper last Saturday
night. he made some Illusions which
might be considered as referring to our
which formerly enjoyed the trade, ac-
cepted orders made to us, changed our
name to their own and furnished the
goods to the amount of $146.00.' AS
ment amounted to $146.65, it is possible
that he alludes to us. Any statement
that this firm changed any name on
an order to our own name rs a down.
right untruth. and any direct state
ment to this effect will be met by
prompt action.
TT seems plain that Mr.. Foster is
trying to avoid the real issue and sub
stitute the issue of his personal hon
esty. AS far as have heard or read
as a thief. Alderman Wilson certainly
did not. and when in the council the
Alderman asked for an Investigation
with power to bring in witnesses and
books. he. explained that there was no
question of personal honesty involved.
Tin Mr.. Fosters case the point on
which we and other merchants have
complained is the manifest
of a local merchant ac-
cepting or securing a place on a small
but important board. consisting of only
four members. and then taking to him
self practically every dollars worth of
trade in his particular line, amounting
in the short space of three months to
81, 10000
cit would seem that any man would
himself see the improperly of this
and not have it forced in upon
him by the moral sense of the com
The writer has in the past
been offered place as a. member of
the Board of Charities. but refused on
the ground of not believing it proper
to deal with himself even in a small
way while a member of the Board.
Other merchants have had like offers
an6 have refused for similar reasons.
Mr.. Foster states that he received
no business until he became commits
sioner, and the inference seems plain
that he gets the business on account
Of being member Of the Board.
ct am informed that orders for out
side poor are not issued before Decem-
Der 1, end from December 1, 1908 to
December TO- 1908. my firm received
orders were filed with goods sold at
close rnargain and of reliable quality
After December 10. 1908 the wires were
being manipulated for appointment to
the Board of Charities and the name
Of Mr. Foster doomed up on the horizon
but of a clear sky. Since Decem Der 10,
9OS the orders of the Department have
lowed into his firm in a. steady stream.
From December TO- 1908 to April 1,
1909 orders made on Mr.. Fosters firm
and which amounted to $26.25. were
brought into our place by persons &C
when in funds to trade at
,ur store. We had express authority
o fill these few orders by an important
member of the Board of Charities. and
With this authority we hadn't the
slightest compunction in filling these
'ew orders, especially as our informa-
ion was that Mr.. Fosters firm had
lone this very thing in the not very
distant past
when Mr.. Foster had his firm in
,orporated a few years ago the records
how that he personally owned HIP
If the corporation, and that his son
owned the balance except, single
hare.
LAS L stated before, there has been
10 suggestion of his personal dishon- |
s.y and it is strange that he desires
o defend himself against a charge
which has not been made. Our firm
las sold the Charities department |
ince 1889. a little each year. We never
wanted all and would be satisfied with
modest share. One thing is certain |
nd that is that the writer would not |
o on the Board to get the business, |
nd were 7 a member not a dollars |
worth of merchandise would be pur- |
hased from our firm.
commissioner Stones statements as |
O dissatisfied merchants are interest |
lg. He is often inaccessible, and his |
ssignment as purchasing agent is one |
f the Jokes of the controversy. His |
ole is subordinate and one not of the /
reatest Importance.
John J. Mcnamara. of the firm OF
Jo1Iroolx e Mona ma