The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-05-16
cline Committee
sosns,nusd from rir., r-r..l

SContinued From FIRST Puge)
will be present In an advisory capa-
city AZ future sessions.
DIR. Haskius then read his formal
list OF charges appended below, stat.
ing that he would supplement them
from time to time. and gave a number
OF suggestions as to steps which might
be taken by the committee to sub
stantiate the charges.
In reply. Mr.. Cline made a general
denial OF all the charges and insisted
upon his right to have an attorney.
On motion OF Mr.. GrogRn. II was
decided 10 hold sessions ON Monday.
Wednesday and Friday nights OF each
week until the investigation is COM
pleted- The hours will be from 1880
until 10 o'clock. Also on motion OF
Mr.. Grogan. II was decided to prepare
list OF Witnesses and subpoena GER
tain ones for each night.
Mr.Watkins brought up the point
that an affidavit should be made 70
the charges and Mr.. Bente being
notary public. DR.. Haskins was duly
sworn and stated that the charges
were true TO the best OF his knowledge
and belief. The committee then ad-
iourned 10 meet Wednesday evening.
The Charges.
The charges read by DR.. Haskins
were as follows:
At divers times the city OF Wheel.
ing rendered. through its fire depart
ment. service TO other cities. for
which service charges were made.
OF course. but In few instances did
these funds reach the city Golfers;
but were usually retained by Cline.
In few instances small sums were
handed by him 10 iiremen. but usually
the Hons share was reserved by
cline for himself u will not. OF
course. be questioned that every
dollar OF such monies first belonged
10 the city and should have been
paid To the city. Then. IL for such
special service council had seen fit TO
remunerate the men IL could have
done so through ordinance. In fact
the equity OF such a proceeding could
not be questioned.
On page 163, OF the minutes OF fire
committee. IL will be seen that the
American Sheet Steel Co. OF Aetna
vile. paid the city $500 for the serv-
ice OF the department This time
the money did find it's way 10 the
citl. and the fire committee directed
that 500 OF this amount be paid to
Cline and his men. The Island house
men got $40 and the Vigilant BOYS
got $2i. Cline the balance. In July
Z OF August. 1907. the Island house
rendered service TO bridegroom. O .
. Tor which the CITY received $50. The
fire committee directed that 81 OF
this money be paid 10 the men OF the
house. Only SO reached its destina-
ton. Mr.. Cline retaining the balance.
The men who dii the work were
erafted this time by their chief.
December .. 1905. the department
again rendered service 10 the city OF
bridgeport for which service the
city OF bridgeport undertook 20 pay
the city Of Wheeling So through tho
head OF the fire department. X. %.
Cline. charge the city Of Wheeling
never got a dollar OF this money. aud
neither did the men.
June p. 1904. the city OF Ecnwood
undertook 10 pay the city OF Wheel
Ing Sl-j for services OF the DEPART
mcut. through making 81 check 10 q.
D. Cline. chief o, the fire department.
The city of Wheeling never received
% dollar OF this money. Cline going
20 the bank himself. getting the
check cashed and doing as he pleased
with the money. which seems 20 have
been - follows: Eighth ward. six
men. s. each. Niagara. five men. s.
each. hook and ladder. four men. s.
each. Retained by the chief. So.
In January. 1908. the city OF Bon
wood again undertook 10 pay the city
Of Wheeling Sit5 Tor a similar serv-
ice by making check payable 10 "R.
D. Cline. chief Of the fire department.
city Of Wheeling" The city never
received a dollar OF This money.
Cline gave each of the six Eighth
ward house men s.. retaining go
for himself.
These are evidently bur a few Of
the many abuses OF like character