The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-11-29
G O N tt N u E D
F r o -.
P A @ E @ N E
LES MAJESTY

COuip duy, Jul SSlNtS, ludl uuueI nO
circumstances can we furnish coal
to the city, or even be recognized
as making any bid for the same.
He has given his reason that be-
cause the manager of this COM
ministration as being an imbecilic
administration and unworthy OF
the confidence of the voters and
taxpayers, that this company shall
from now on be cut off from any
business with his department.
To prove to you that he has car
ried out his threat we beg to quote
the following instance, it being
only one of the many that might
be mentioned, to-wit:
Some days ago we ordered in for
the use of the fire department six
cars of Roslyn coal, but were
stopped in delivery by the chief of
the fire department, who informed
us that he had received orders
from Clifford that he couldn't use
any coal from us.
We stopped delivery and waited
the arrival of the agent from the
mines, and upon said agents arriv
al we explained matters and in
structed him to meet the chief of
the fire department and have him
introduce said agent to Mr.. Clifford.
We also instructed said agent to
side in with any abuse he might
shower upon us, and also to rep
resent to Mr.. Clifford that he was
dealing direct with the mines, and
that the Wyoming Fuel company
had nothing to do with the deal.
AS our cars were all on demur-
rage and we were anxious to get
rid of them, the agent from the
mines went to Mr.. Clifford with the
chief of the fire department and
sold the six cars at $3.50 per ton,
and the city to do their own haul
ing. Whereas we sold the same
coal to the same department at
1915 per ton, and we do the haul
ing, which is worth rs cents and
81 per ton for hauling charges. Or
in other words, instead of Mr. Gift
ford making so cents per ton, as
shown and claimed in short clip
ping from the Spokesman-Review
of few days ago, the city actually
lost so cents per ton by Mr.. Gift
ford's purchase, or something over
a net loss to the city of $3.50 on
the purchase.
The mine agent also informs us
that Mr. Clifford told him the said
Marsh, manager of the Wyoming
Fuel company, even if he sold it
at so per ton, could not sell coal
to the city.
We also charge that the en-
gineer Of the Monroe street bridge,
the Washington street bridge and
the city hall are not allowed to
make complaint of any coal furn-
ished them, at the risk Of their po-
sitions, no matter how inferior the
coal.
We ask, is it not true that if in
ferior coal is being furnished to
these various places, is it not pos
sible that other materials are be-
ing bought and delivered under the
same favoritism rule?
Some time ago Mr.. Nelson, who
is clerk in Mr.. Gifford's office,
met the manager of this company
on the street and asked If it could
not let him, Mr.. Nelson. have his
coal for cost or less, as he said he
could help us to get bills through
the office of the purchasing agent.
We informed him that we would
strike his name from our order
books, and which our records will
show.
Now in our opinion partially and
favoritism is so closely allied to
graft that it is hard to distinguish
where the one begins or the other
leaves off.
Our second complaint is: This
city at considerable expense placed
in several sets of scales and es-
tabIished an inspector of weights,
to the end that the public might be
protected against false weights.
We charge that said scales have
virtually been abandoned, and no
one with any competency does any
weighing. And this charge will be
admitted by Mr.. Schultze, the
weight inspector, himself. The
only benefit the public gets Is the
paying of the weight inspectors
salary, his assistant and his office
expenses.
The writer concludes by humbly
asking the members of the said
council to investigate this matter.
and, we believe, that II such ac-
ton is. taken, that it will result in
much benefit to the taxpayers OF
the city, to have this matter in
vestigated and a remedy applied.
as we believe 1t is within the pow
er Of your august body to do.
All the above and foregoing is
submitted with unqualified candor
and honesty and the utmost sin
certify. Respectfully submitted.
Wyoming Fuel company by Clar-
ence Marsh, manager.