The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1911-05-03
M'KENNA
TESTIFIES
in PROBE
OF OFFICE
Examined by Klein He
Takes up Charges
in Detail and Ex-
plains Each ACCu-
Sation

City Engineer Maurice F. McKenna
held the witness stand for more than
an hour and half at the continued
hearing in the council chamber, City
hall, last night of the probe into his
office. The direct examination of Nc
Kenna, by his attorney, Jacob B.
Klein, was only fairly well under
way when it was nearly II o'clock
and adjournment was taken until
Thursday night, when Klein will re-
sumo his examination of McKenna.
The case Of Denis f. Mulvihill and
others, represented by Senator Stiles
Judson, Jr., was closed last night, ex-
cept for the testimony of Charles A.
Biltz, contractor, relative to work in
Stratford avenue, and one Fox, a for
mer employe of the office, who was
reported last night to be in Long ISL
and. Homer C. Godfrey, vice-president
and treasurer of Silliman & Godfrey,
was not on hand when wanted as a
witness before the close of the Mulvi-
hill end of the hearing, and q sheriff
was sent after him. He was tipped
off by friends that the sheriff was on
his trail, and before the arm of the
way through the throng into the pres
ence of the committee. It was appar-
ent that he had been disturbed in the
midst or a dinner party, and it was
eQuallysapparent that he was not de-
lighted at the situation.
Most of the hearing of last evening
was devoted to the discussion by Nc
Kenna of the various specifications
prepared by Mulvihill in his state
ment to the committee. Step by step
Klein took up the various paragraphs,
and Mekenna without g. moment s.
hesitation. went into elaborate detail
as he described the circumstances sur
rounding each of the works brought
into question.
One of the largest audiences that
has yet gathered to hear the progress
of the investigation packed the City
Hall last night. The throng waited
expecte ntly, with the idea that Jud-
son would have a chance to train his
guns upon McKenpa in cross exam
ination. but the direct examination
was only fairly well under way, when
the allotted time for the evening ses-
sion was up
JudSon expects to question Charles
F. A. Biltz as to whether the city paid
for tearing up new cement work and
laying it at a different grade in Strait
ford avenue. McKenna last night
Sdlu lie IiSIO IIO IUod LHdC any CITY Qe-
partment-and he knew his department
did not pay for it-had borne the ex-
pense of that work. And during his
examination Klein questioned him
along lines that indicated that the orr
ginal work of brick pavement of
Stratford avenue in 1902, was not done
in keeping with established standards,
and that the city got "stung'' because
instead Of a concrete foundation up
to specifications a shallow foundation
of concrete and a sand cushion much
deeper than ordinarily used was-4aid
in it's stead.
Judson spared against this infor-
nation being brought out, declaring
that it had no bearing on the case
said Judson had misapprehended his
purpose in questioning the witness,
for he had no idea of involving any
administration other than the admin
istration of the office of the city en-
gineer The mayor at the time was
witness of the citizens represented by
JudSon.
The hearing was opened with the
appearance of William A. Mckenzie
as the first witness. Mckenzie was
formerly an assistant engineer He
was connected with the office from
May, 1908 to May 1909 He is now in
works. At previous hearings a check
for SIS payable to him with the words
"by M. F. McKenna' added to his
own name as payee, was introduced in
evidence, and Bernard Keating, Jr..
clerk in the auditors office, testified
that the additional words were added
in the writing of L. J.
Gill, then assistant city clerk after
the check left the auditors office
Mr.. Mckenzie said this check was
in payment for street layouts work
done in addition to the regular
routine Of the city engineers office,
by a special committee of three ap-
pointed by the Common Council He
said when he called for his check. he
was told McKenna had taken it. This
was some time about the first part OF
the third week in April. He thought
Il strange, went to the Pequonnock
bank where the city treasurer, Mr.
Hall, told him Mr.. McKehna had
,ashed the check. Then Mr.. McKenna
not consult with him about the check.
McKenna said he would rather have
no talk about it. Perhaps two or
three weeks afterwards, said McKen-
zie. McKenna paid him.
Judson asked him whether Edward
Dargan had consulted with him as to
paving part of his salary to McKen-
Witness said Dargan had spoken about
it, but Dargan didn't say in so many
words that the proposition was ere
1uirement.' Witness was asked
whether he received postal card
notifying him his SIS check was wait
ing for him in the auditors office.
He said he didn't receive such a card.
In cross examination. when Klein
asked what was McKenzie's salary,
ne became reticent and referred his
1uestioner to the records of the audi
TOR.
Klein insisted. and by dint of per-
,istent questioning got the witness to
ell that the city paid him s1.15O per
rear. and McKenna paid him $3.50 per
rear personally, his total salary be-
ng s1,500, the figure he had placed
Ipon his services before he consented
% come to take the place Klein
showed him q receipt dated May l.
1910, which he identified as bearing
his signature. In which were included
lis monthly salary payment from Nc