The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-02-20
TALKS OF BRIBERY
IN AWARO|N c OF
BRICK CONTRACT
Big Four Salesman Admits,
Though He Hasn't Legal Proof of
Crookedness, But Insists He Didn't
Get Square Deal.
Commissioner Haarer Says Bid Was
Rejected Because Firms Product
Has Proven Unsatisfactory.

E. j. Schario, secretary of the De-
troit Brick Sales CO., has complained
TO Mayor Thompson that he didn't
get II square deal In connection with
the awarding of contracts for 10000,
900 paving bricks BY the department
OF public works and the council com.
mittee on streets. He points out that
his tender OF IS cents per square yard
for Big Four brick was rejected III
favor OF another grade AT SO cents,
and. in addition. hints that money
was solicited from G.. q. French, see
retary-treasurer OF the Big Four Co..
of Canton, o., who was associated
with him In mis- dealings with the
council committee.
Schario, however, makes no definite
charges and declines 10 name the
man he accuses I'm connection with
the money proposition. Mr.. French
he says. will be in Detroit, on Mon
day. TO attend meeting In the onice
of the Detroit Brick Sales Co. and
will lay his information before those
in attendance. No criminal proceed
ings will result from any revelations
Mr.. French makes, however, accord
ing 10 Mr.. Schario.
I'VE have no documentary proof OF
any kind that anyone approached Mr.
French" said Mr. Schario to Times
reporter Saturday. However. we
know We didn't get square deal,
told Commissioner Haarer that the
king of fixers was in Detroit, and
that was jealous OF him. The com.
missioner got mad and was going TO
throw me out Of his Office, but he
didn't do it,
1T certainly seems mighty funny
that the committee should reject our
S3-cent bid and accept another at Sc
II our bid had been accepted for one
million of the 100000 bricks TO be
purchased, the city would have saved
$50, while, II our bid for the enure
supply had been accepted the O.
would. have made a saving OF $1,000
Commission Haarer says that he re
fused to recommend the Big Four
brick because the d. u. X. claims IL
didn't give satisfaction when tried by
the railway for paving between the
rails some time ago. The fact OF tho
matter is that the Big Four bricks
used by the ID. L. X. were not proper
ly laid. Indeed. we told Commission
er Haarer that We would stand the
expense OF test between the Big
Four brick and that of the S6-cent
grade and give guarantee in the
event OF our brick being accepted. The
commissioner, however, would not ac
cept our offer.
I'VE also told the commissioner that
il seemed rather strange that Ger.
tain brick firm in Detroit got 20 per
cent Of the brick contracts in
Detroit for the past six or seven
years. We don't claim that there
: Is any brick combine i'm Detroit
but there appears to be an I'M
Outstanding OF some sort among
certain dealers and manufacturers. In
fact, they have told us that they are
going TO drive us out Of Detroit If we
don't join them and quit cutting
prices. We don't intend to join. nor
be driven out: We can sell more cheap
ly than many other dealers because
we give the customer the brick direct
ly from the kilns: there is no middle
mans profit"
Commissioner Haarer, in reply 10
Mr.. Scharios complaint, says that he
refused TO recommend the Big Four
brick because OF the experience the
~. U. II. had with IT,
IL know that the ID. T. r. said Mr..
Haarer, found the Big Four paving
brick unsatisfactory. and | know OF
another instance where il has failed
TO prove satisfactory Therefore,
preferred to accept a grade of brick
which ] knew would be suitable and
thus save the city money. | have used
the Bessemer brick. the S6-cent article
referred TO by Mr.. Schario, and know
that it comes up to requirements. 1t
wears well and is satisfactory in
every respect II is a fact, however,