The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-26
MAYOR EXUM REPLIES TO
 ATTACK MADE BY PETERSEN
 ON HIS ADMINISTRATION
CONTINUED FROM PAGE D

->>---~~~--~-~, -~--~----~-s 1 to the shipper the amount reclaimed, about s4 ton, or something less than s3O. The city was not swindled as to
 weights, because it paid. as it always
 does, according to its own weights The hay was worth what was paid for it and the sharp practice, if any was sought to be perpetrated upon the shipper by the broker, was rectified at the In stance of the Birmingham Grain ex-
 change, which is earnestly seeking to protect the country shipper.
 MT. Petersen, in his rambling and spiteful effort to besmirch my good name, does not insinuate that l bene- fited by Deans conduct. The review Of the facts will show that the city paid for the hay what it justly owed the bank holding the account.
 Since I entered into office, some three or four cars of hay and grain
 car having been purchased about De-
 cember 8, 1910. I have found no evil dence that the city has been defrauded in any of these purchases.
 Asked Him For Evidence
 "On February IT, 1911. Petersen
 wrote to me that he was now in posi- tion to state that the city had been systematically robbed by Dean. In re- sponse to this letter I wrote him to furnish any evidence to substantiate this statement. Ip reply Petersen wrote me that upon receipt or my ret ter he had set himself in motion to obtain such evidence as ne passed ms charges on. but that the same was not then obtainable, having temporarily passed out of his hands. How 1t hap pened that Petersen was on February | I7 in position to say that the city hao Ibeen systematically robbed and on Fep- ruary 20 was unable to turnish any evidence I have not been informed. I can find that the city has been roppeu | by Dean or anyone else, every legai nrocess will be used to recover the money. But 1t is infamous that my administration as mayor of Birmlngham should be assailed because a proker is alleged to have imposed not upon tne citv of Birmingham but upon coun- try shipper.
 Petersen's Second Charge
 ..Ntr petersen's second claim is ina, kunder a former administration the sal arv of certain city officials were nNed d. certain figures for two years, and that liatar on the minutes were changed so as N o show that these salaries had only been exna for one year. and that they were ln- creased for the second year in the az eregate sum of $46aO. and that on Fenru- ary Fl last ne WTotc Hic eiNi' ' ~ information. (Why Is it that Petersen concealed this information through a | na ri of the Ward administrations the en- | fire O'Brien administration. Harry Jones .hort term and my administration up to | the present timeD "Now this letter was given me we'd
 nesday. Just before leaving the city on inc noon train. I returned from Mont pomerv Friday night. What Is the charge l arainst me in this connection? l had nothing to do with either the fixing or these salaries or the changing of the min utes The salaries were fixed during Mayor Wards administration. and at a later date the minutes relating thereto
 were changed, but long before my ad-
 ministration.
 q had not been in Birmingham Tor an
 hour from the time I received Petersens note until his article appeared. Will any
 intelligent man say that I have been derelict in failing to act on information
 furnished in Petersens letter?
 Instructions to Boyd
 "I have instructed City Attorney Boyd Ito carefully investigate the matter and If any money has been improperly paid, owing to the administration of my pre-
 decessors, to institute proper proceedings for its recovery. Auditor Petersen makes the remarkable statement that he advised MT. Jones to have a budget made and | that if ,his advioe haA been followed a dedcit of over &DA161S MA4I4 have been