The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1909-05-12
Superintendent of Buildings
for Board of Education
Placed on Rack.
HIS OWN ADMISSIONS
MAKE INTERESTING TALE
Answers often Evasive. but a
Great Deal of Truth Is
Brought Out.

( of buildings and grounds of the board
of education. at the initial session Tues
! day evening of the investigation by
| that body, assembled as committee of
| the whole, of alleged Irregularities in
his payrolls and other parts of his de-
| partment, virtually made admission of
the truth of many of the newspaper
and other charges against him and his
conduct of his Office.
Mr. Bridwell admitted the employ
ment in his department of six of his
relatives, one under a fictitious name,
and the employment Of three of the
four sons of William n Newman. a
ward. under assumed names, and the
payment to his brother. Thomas j.
Bridwcll. last September, of 50 Il day.
the union scale for double time. for
three days labor performed as a car
penter on holidays-one for Labor day
land the other for two Sundays-al-
though his brother was not then a MEM
Der OF the union; at least he refused 10
make the positive statement Tuesday
evening that his brother was then a
member Of the carpenters union.
payment at the same time TO David
Crockett and Theodore Newman each
of 50 Il day for two or three days la
Dor performed on Labor day and Sun
days, but it was not brought out
whether the Newmans then were mem
bers of the carpenters union.
Mr. Bridwel was the first and only
witness examined Tuesday evening. He
was interrogated by MI Thomas and
yync nN-asiCn and sonnet ,rpes StuhhorO IN
the point of insolence. There were
four or five spirited tilts between Mr..
Bridwell and Mr.. Thomas, and once the
investigation threatened 10 break up
in row. or possibly blows.
This was when Mr., Thomas made
slight alluson to Mrs. Bridwell in con-
nection with the development that she
has frequently assisted Mr.. Bridwell in
checking up the time of the mon under
his direction.
Gas dutiful wife should' inter
polated Mr.. Thomas.
''Ycs. sir, and as your wife would, -
retorted Mr.. Bridwell.
You Will please never mind, -
warned Mr.. Thomas. "My wife is not
under discussion.
Just Little Clash.
II. C. Edwards, whom Mr.. Bridwell
has employed 10 represent him. object
ed to Mr.. Thomas s manner Of question
ing Mr. Bridwell, 10 which Mr. Thomas
rctorted that he would ask Mr.. Bird
we'll such questions as he desired. "And
| don t propose 10 he charged by You
with insulting the witness, either.
added MI Thomas. with considerable
warmth.
Mr.. Cummings interrupted the threat
cucd break in the social amenities with
the statement that so far rs he was
concerned he had heard enough of in
tcrruptions from Mr., Bridwell Is couu-
sci. and Mr.. Movie followed this with
the declaration that. with Mr.. Thomas,
I've proposed TO ask Mr. Bridwell such
questions as he pleased. Mr. Checsman
Sprang to a defense Of Mr.. Bridwell
with the assertion that The affair was
being conducted the same as trial,
II understand the payrolIs, began
Mr.. Cheesman But I don T. - fin
pose 10 have my motives in questioning
The witness TINS impugncd.' -
4 rather spirited tilt between Mr..
Thomas and Mr.. Cheesman ensued, at
The close of which Mr.. Cheesman pro.
fcsscd TO be disgusred and left the
room. but soon returned, Judge Hen
dcrson diplomaticaliv poured oil on the
troubled waters aud the investigation
proceeded, but not until Mr.. Bridwcll
threat upon Mr.. Thomas.
'F consider Mr.. Thomas : reference
TO my wife as a piece Of sarcasm. and ]
resent ii. Furthermore. I will hold him
personally responsible for it. -
Only Mr.. Martin was absent when
the investigation began. Mr.. Thomas
took the Initiative. as it was under his
called. and suggested that Mr.. Bridwcll
who was then occupying Mr.. Martins
scat, move TO n chair bv the side Of
the stcnographcr, John Rollo at the
clerk IS desk, To this Mr.. BridwelI OBJ
iected, which created mild sensation
but finally. by force Of circumstances
was compelled TO take this scat. He
did not use If, however, until near the
end of the session. choosing to remain
standing, while Mr.. Thomas occupied q
chair a few feet away from him.
Beginning of Grill.
Nlr, Thomas first took up payroll No
1888, covering the half-month begin
ming September | and ending Scptem-
her 10, 1908, asking Mr.. Bridwcll TO
explain how this payroll came to re.
main in his possession from September
Of 1905 until March is of this year, six
months, when it was supposed to be
returned 10 the clerk of the board with.
in few days
Mr.. Brdwell gave Two reasons
first, that the payroll was always re-
tanned until tho men have rcccipted for
their money; and second, that it, with
other pupcrs pertaining TO the board.
was removed to the barn while his
house was being rcroofed and that it
there became lost and could not be
found for long time.
Mr.. Bridwell gave the additional in
formation that he is something of a
philanthropist. having frequently paid
the mon in his employ with his own
personal check, although the money
was for public services, and then rcim-
bursting himself out Of school board
money.
The only ccrtifcation employees make
rs to the correctness of their time, it
was also developed, is when they re-
CENT for their money.
Some OF the men mako up their own
time sheets and others don t, Mr.. Bird
we'll said. The general rule is for the
foreman to certify the timc up TO him,
While lie professed 10 have personally