The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-10-03
Councilmen Seek Light on
Boards Action Allowing
Hammond $lS a Month for
Feeding His Horse.
PUBLIC SENTIMENT
AROUSED, IT'S SAID
Mayor Makes Defense of
Hammond but the Latter
Faced the Bombardment
Without a Word in Reply.


aroused over the action of the board
Of public works recently in passing a
motion appropriatlng SIS each month
to pay for the tced of Homer Ham
mond's horse, according to state
ments made by councilmen when they
met in regular session last evening.
One of the most sensational state
ments was made by Councilman Wal
dele, who declared that citizens in
the Seventh ward branded the action
as graft and mismanagement of pub
lie funds. Other city fathers voiced
their sentiments and the opinion of
citizens in their respective wards on
the matter.
In written statement, asking for
Information on the subject Council
man Evans brought the matter before
the meeting. This started general
debate between various councilmen
and the mayor, lasting over an hour.
Councilman Evans said that he had
been asked to explain why the city
should pay SIS month for keeping
the horse of President Hammond of
the board of works; and where the
money was to come from, as council
had made no appropriation for it, Mr..
Evans stated that Mr.. Hammond GER
tainly knew what his salary would be
when he accepted the position.
Won Pein's Hot Shot.
Incidentally Councilman Won Pein
stated that Watson p. ONeil the for
mer head of the board did the same
work as Mr.. Hammond and walked
over the city, attending to complaints
and drew 5000 less annually than Mr..
Hammond. This was said in answer
to the mayors statement that Mr..
Hammond had to drive his own horse.
and rig over the city in attending to
his work. During the entire argument
the mayor defended Mr.. Hammond,
the latter keeping silent.
Councilman Bartel vehemently de-
clared that If Mr.. Hammond wanted
to remain in line with public opinion
that he would not accept the money"
He added that If Mr.. Hammond walk
ed fast he could attend to great
deal of complaints.
Following are a few of the remarks
made:
hands of the board of works which
are never attended to-" said Council
man Weishaupt. II think Mr.. Ham,
mond's salary Of $1,000 is high en-
ough and he can hire rig with it,
II heard the talk of the factory
men and they say that if Mr.. Ham,
mond does not want the job at $1,000
year that they will take it," Mr.. Will
liams said.
II believe Hammond could do his
duty just as we'll if he remained in his
ONCE two-thirds of the day" Council
man Kaufman averrcd, II know of a
number Of people that "go to his Of
fice and never find him.
Our city officers get handsome sal
aries and this $1S a month amounts
to the same thing as another raise"
was the statement of Councilman Won
Pein. Il don't doubt but that the
board has the authority to do this,
\ but 1t Is IL question of economy"
Could Feed Three Naos.
If the board grants the raise the
cheapest way to do it would be to buy
the hay and corn and let Hammond
keep the horse. for I could feed three
horses on SIS month" was Coun-
Gilman Vessels statement
II did it all myself" said the mayor,
with George ge-Washington ith-my-
Nttle-hatchet. air, land Mr.. Hammond
Is not to blame. Gentlemen. | really
placed Mr. Hammond in an embar-
RAISING position when l made the mo-
ton"
Caustically Mr.. Bartel replied. I'm
:eorry you have placed Mr.. Hammond
In that embarrassing position--reahy
sorry for Mr. Hammond, was the pub
lie sentiment on it is not the best
Mr.. Hammond doesn't need horse
He Is given $500 more now than the
former president of the board and
there are a number Of men who don't
make that much
The matter finally concluded by the
mayors significant statement that he
had a reason, a good reason for re-
maining in the good graces Of the pub
Mc He said he would make it public
at the right time. The mayor said that
the matter would be dropped until the
city attorney could look into the le-
gahty Of the boards action.
counciimen Lock Horns.
Another argument between Coun.
cilmen Engelbert and Won Pein took
on a serious aspect and although no
direct accusations were made by the
former, the statements of both be.
came somewhat heated.
Mr.. Engelbert said that Mr.. Won
Pein could tell some things that tras.
pired between himself and B. B. John.
son, former member Of the board OF
works. MIR. Engelbert said that Mr.
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