New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-07-07
TELL FOSD|CK OF GRAFT
Commissioner Hears Fireworks
Contract Was Offered for Cash.
COST $500, VALUED AT $50
Alderman Curran Declares DIS
play for His District Lasted III
Minutes at S23 so Minute.

Minutes at S23 so Minute.
Commissioner Fosdicks investigation OF
tho safe and sane fireworks was ADVANCED
far enough Yesterday for direct charges ~
graf, IN be made before him. one OF mis-
inspectors, who has been investigating mo
fireworks contracts that cost IN" cuH
SCI Oh, for which $500 worth of fireworks
are said 20 have been received, t"'n NV
Commissioner that fireworks nanutac'-
rrer I'm New Jersey said he had been ap'
preached by a member Of the compute
and told that he could have the contract
il he would pay the committeeman a com
mission OF IS per cent in advance.
Alderman Henry II. Curran, one Of the
members Of the Fourth Of July committee
told Commissioner Fosdick that for a
month there had been rumors OF graft III
the fireworks branch Of the celebration.
Everybody was sore" said Curran, "and
half the members of the board were askllb
who was getting the graft | was sup
posed to have $500 worth Of fireworks in
Washington Square for my district ana
several thousand persons were gathered
there to see the exhibition. II was all over
III twenty -lNO ulllluAto' AA'pNS'''
works were all shot off before O'Clock.
I am sure that you can't set of fireworks
at the rate Of SO ~ a minute. My estimate
IS that the fireworks supplied for my dls-
trict cost about $50.
THE aldermen's committee did not 20
very deeply into the plans for the celeora-
ton Herman Ridder, chairman OIL TIC
citizens committee. reported TO us the gen
eral plans for the celebration. and We ala
not ask FOR the details of the contracts.
We thought that with Mr.. Ridder as chair
man Of the committee and Controller
Prendergast watching the contracts every
thing would be all right"
Commissioner Fosdick had before him
yesterday afternoon Thomas Lloyd, treas
urer of the Lloyds Fireworks Company
that supplied most Of the fireworks for
Manhattan and The Bronx. Mr.. Lloyd had
very poor memory. the Commissioners
said, and he was sent back TO his office
for his books and correspondence. The con-
tracts were let by correspondence. Mr..
Fosdick said. and he wanted the letters
to show the methods used 10 obtain con
tracts Mr. LLOYD has been subp6naed
again for this morning. All the contracts.
according to Mr. Fosdck. were signed by
Alderman Samuel Marx and John 7.
Walsh. Marx was chairman Of the sub
committee on fireworks of the citizens
committee. and Walsh was chairman Of
the alderlnanic committee on the celebrs-
ton.
After tho hearing yesterday Mr.. Fosdick
said he was satisfied that the city got full
value for the money spent for fireworks
in Queens and Richmond. Only 500 was
spent in these two boroughs, however.
while I'm Manhattan and The Bronx and
Brooklyn where $1,000 vas spent for fire
works. Mr. Fosdicks inspectors have re-
ported 70 him that the value Of the eN-
posives was only sll.Q00. This is figured
a cost price. with no allowance for profit.
expenses of men 70 handle the exhibitions
or carting charges. Some Of Mr.. Fosdck's
witnesses have testified that fireworks
should carry profit of as high as Is per
cent but even with that he thinks $500
IS TOO much profit on $1,000
The fireworks for Manhattan and The
Bronx end Brooklyn were supplied by the
LLOYD Fireworks Company and the United
Fireworks Company Commissioner Eos
Aubrey Love. president Of the United com
pany and John J. Cox. also Of the United
COMPANY At their offices II was said that
both were IN Jersey. The United company
is Trenton corporation.
One ~ the things Commissioner Fosdick
is anxious 10 learn about is the cost Of the
bonds put up by the fireworks companies
10 indemnify the city for loss Of life or
damage by the exhibitions. The cost 81
the bonds is understood TO he one OF the
principal defences OF the companies in eY-
planning the high price paid for the cele
bretions in comparison with the small
quantity Of fireworks used
The fireworks celebrations In Manhattan.
The Bronx and Brooklyn were scheduled AZ
$500. $500 and $3.50 each Commissioner Eos
dicks experts have reported 70 him that
for these three classes OF celebration the
LLOYD Fireworks Company supplied fire.
works IN the value of sl35 ., SIP 81 end
$50. 10 each, while the value OF the fireworks
supplied BY the United Fireworks Com
psnv In the three classes was 81 rs, s.3 20
and s29 20.
Michele Mamma, 2 fireworks manufacturer
of Durham. y. T.. has made an AFFIDAVIT
that he contracted with the United Fire
works Company to supply the material for
tventy-four celebrations at 800 each. He
ssys that he made profit of 100 per cent
on the contract.
Payment of all the bills for fireworks
celebrations has been held up by Controller
Prendergast pending the result Of the in
yestgation b. Commissioner Fosdick