The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-09-16
BRICK MAN TOLD
. He D BETTER GET
ANOTHER AGENT
F. +. French Hints That Local In
huence Has Much To Do With Sc
curing Contracts, But Declines
To Furnish Details.
Commissioner Haarsr Says poEtio,
Interferes With the Proper Ad-
LSaistration Of Department.

II was pretty clear to everyone pres
ent In Friday afternoons hearing be-
fore the Board OF Commerce paving
investigation committee that there is
something radically wrong with De-
| troits system OF carrying on public
improvements. Examination OF wit
nesses by the committee brought out
that there Is a lack OF harmony and
understanding between different de-
partments Of the city government, that
politics hamper the commissioner OF
public works In securing good, reliable
men, and that brick men, knowing
the lax methods that have obtained
here. have taken advantage OF the op-
portunity to ship In poor brick on
some occasions.
II inuendo and inference could be
accepted as evidence. there would be
occasion for some grand jury investi.
cations around these "diggin's." #. r.
French, Of the Big Four Brick Co.,
who was third lowest bidder on brick
to be furnished the city last spring
but failed to get contract, was on
the stand during the afternoon and
gave the impression that he could tell
a whole lot about the inside" of the
brick game as 1t Is played In Detroit
but he was seized with an attack or
cold feet" when pressed to be more
specific.
French said that. before the bids
were submitted, he had an interview
with Commissioner Haarer and was
promised a square deal. He was told.
he said. that "the bidding would tell
the tale. but II didn't in his case.
He told how he had taken the matter
up with the streets committee after
wards and related a lot OF ancient
history.
What was the outcome of your pro-
test to the committee?" he was ask
ed.
I'VE didn't get any contract" was
the reply.
French said he received the general
| impression that II he had another
agent he might be able to get In here.
IL was informed that there were
agents here who furnished nearly all
the paving brick used by the city"
he said. II was told by other brick
men that I had better get another
agent"
did you get the impression that
there was anything irregular about
| that?"
Il drew my own conclusions, but
those conclusions might not have been
well founded"
isn't II a fact that someone told
you that II you would raise your bid
II would be accepted?"
ct wouldn't care to discuss that"
Mr.. French stated that he had seen
seconds, or kiln-run brick In the
streets Of Detroit. but would not name
the streets or the brands OF brick.
This led Attorney Charles B. War
rem, examiner for the committee, to
ask In substance, II Detroit had been
used by the brick manufacturers as
dumping ground for kiln-run brick.
Detroit has not been considered
hard market to ship TO, because the
| inspection here Ia not as rigid as else
where" replied French.
"Is Detroit receiving bad brick
nowf"
Il have seen some very good brick
here and have seen some bad BRICK.
"Is there any combination or man
ufacturers that you know OFT"
"The manufacturers are simply tax
ing advantage OF the fact that there
isn't proper inspection"
what IL your idea OF competent
Inspector"
IAN intelligent man of integrity and
practical experience. gained on tho
streets or ut the kilns.' :.
what commission could you anord
To nav an agent for furnishing Kiln
run brick at No. brick prices?
"I wouldn't furnish kiln-run brick
for paving purposes. don't think any
manufacturer can AFFORD to FURNISH
kiln-run brick"
In answer to questions asked by
Mayor Thompson, Mr.. French consid-
cred the RATHER a protection TO any
CITY and said that h helieved In the
rattler test. Some eastern cities also
use a crushing test, he said. He had
submitted bids for furnishing brick
ON three different occasions but hao
never been given a contract.
"Do you know why?" asked the
mayor.
discuss It."
French later stated that certain
agents seemed to have corner on the
brick business here. whether they dic
or not
Commissioner Haarer, Of the depart
ment OF public works. was sharply
ouizzed by Mr.. Warren, and showed no
disposition to evade questions.
Asked II politics interfered with his
securing good men and with the work
of the department, he replied In the
Affirmative
mo the aldermen ever interfere
with the work of your department or
with your apBointmentsT
Occasionally"
'How would you remedy thatl'
"Take the department out OF poll
Tics entirely. Give a good man the po-
sItion of commissioner and give him
chance TO make good"
The questioning developed that the
old foundations on many streets that
have been resurfaced have given way
I'm many instances. and that the poor
condition OF many Of the streets Is
due to that cause. The commissioners
said that in view of what he has
found. he will not take any more
chances on foundations In the future
but. in submitting his estimates, Will
ask for money enough to provide new
ones. Haarer shrugged his shoulders
when asked who was responsible for