The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-08-08
MCKenna Committee Reports To Council
 Result Of Inquiry
(Contiued from Page 1.)


 To the Honorable Board of Aldermen:
 Gentlemen-At the meeting of Feb- ruary 20, 1911, a communication was received from Maurice F. XcKenna. city engineer, which read as folle WIS: ITO the Honorable Common Council
 of the City of Bridgeport:
 ntlemen-During the past week made in the press refiecting upon my conduct of the engineering depart ment of the city. These intimations ha d their origin in the animosity en- gendcred by recent unfortunate oc- curr ence in my office. While no defi- theless feel that I have been injured by the suspicious whicn such intina- tionS, vague as they lre, necessarily arouse. If a motion should be pre- sented to your body to investigate the conduct of my office in which any def mite irregularity should be charged, l trust that no friend of mine in the board of aldermen will endeavor. by his vote, to resist the investigation of such a charge.
 If there is no definite charge to be be brought against the conduct of the engineering department, l neverthe- less desire and request that a com general investigation into my ad- ministration of the office of city en- gineer. I feel that I am justified in making this request of your honorable body, for the reason that I desire to be freed from the innputations which have unjustly been put upon me and in order that the citizens of Bridge port may be assured that the impor- tant department of the city govern ment under my control is in trust worthy and competent hands.
 Dated at Bridgeport, February 20. 1911.
 "M. F. M'KENNA,
 City Engineer"
 Pursuant to said request, his honor Mayor Buckingham was delegated to appoint a committee of five to carry on an investigation of the affairs of this office. Said committee having been appointed, it proceeded to carry on a public investigation of the con- ditions existing in this department and was materially aided in obtaining the desired information by the. filing of certain alleged statements by a cit izen, Denis V. Mulvihill. Said state ments formed a basis for the conduct of, this investigation, and each al- 1eged irregularity was forcefully brought to the committees attention by Attorney Stiles Judson, who rep- resented the complaining citizen. The committee, realizing the labor and responsibility required of them to as- Corldln the COHOllfOHS, nave spent considerable time in the considera tion of all circumstances and the varying phases of each charge.
 The committee finds that the office of the city engineer is one of the most responsible positions in the gov ernment of the city of Bridgeport and requires as an occupant of same a man skilled in engineering and of marked executive ability. Under his there are appointed cer- tain assistants, who are always sub- ject to his order, as are all others who enter into the employ of that 
 The evidence brought forward and considered by this committee is in- tended to prove that said engineer is has misconducted his office, and that the city has not re- ceived the service from said incum-' bent that he is in duty bound to per- form.
 After due consideration of various jobs performed by the present engi- neer during his incumbency, and set forth as the groundwork for con- plaint, the committee considers that the testimony shows that the change of grade on Stratford avenue could not be charged up to poor engineer ing. The engineer furnished a grade based on the supposition that under