Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-02-07
5000 CRAFT IN
CITY HOSE DEAL,
SIMSER CHARGE
Third Ward Alderman Claims
His Share of Doodle Was
to Have Been $50.
REFUSES TO GIVE NAMES
When He Fails TO Support ACCUSE
lions His Resignation Is
Demanded.

NBGonS OF DaLhroomS and 1ackpOtS
lowered over the Rock Island city
council chamber last night for sew
era1 hours following a charge by AL
derman James c. Simser of the
Third ward that a fund had been ap-
propriated by a local firm to pur-
chase the votes of members Of that
body in support of a certain brand
OF hose submitted in connection with
the recent competitive bidding
Alderman Simser was asked for a
presentation of specific facts. and
when he refused. a committee was
appointed TO conduct an investiga-
ton, calling the Third ward represen-
tatfve az witness, and reporting
back to the council. The commit
tee failed in its mission. Simser's
resignation was thereupon demanded,
but a motion to this effect was with
drawn after the Third ward alder
man. in a sense, apologized, explain
ing that his accusations did not in
volvs any member Of the council or
any city Official.
Is DRAMATIC SCENE
TWAS probably the most dramatic
scene ever enacted in the Rock Island
city council 1t all came so unex-
pectedly that members of the body
and spectators were astounded. AL
derman Simser had inquired of the
mayor If the 1000 feet of fire hose
recently ordered from the New Jer-
sey Car Spring and Rubber company
had yet arrived. The mayor replied
that the contract had been signed
only few days ago. Alderman Sim
ser Then inquired II the hose was TO
be tested after delivery. and he was
assured that 1t would be-
Mr.. Mayor" Alderman Simser
said, II have some facts to offer here
for your inform alton in connection
with the bids for fire hose. l believe
you do not know the real reason for
the failure of the fire and light and
finance committees 10 report favor
ably to any bidder when the propos-
ais IN response to the first advertise
ment were opened. l am here to tell
you. A certain firm in this city had
q jackpot that was to be called upon
in the interest Of one of the bidders. /
This particular bidder, IT seems.
could not convince the majority of
the joint committee that it's propo-
sftion was the best for the city, and
thereupon made the threat that no
other concern would land the con-
tract; that there was money to buy
OF enough of the aldermen.
81 WAS To GET $50"
Twas a member of that commit
tee, as you know. and my share Of
the pot was to have been $50. No. /
a direct offer was not made to me, /
but l was given to understand that
I could have that amount If l was
right The charge has been made /.
in this council that too much wine /
caused the recommendation that all /
OF the bids be rejected, as was done .
finally. / did not get in on any OF
the wine, but / could have had some /
OF the cash II ! wanted it,"
It will be recalled that it was Al /
derman H. J. F'rick. as chairman of .
the fire and light committee, who. af-
ter repeated meetings for considera-
ton OF the bids submitted after the
first advertisem ent was printed, adj
vised the council TO reject all OF the
proposals. despite that other mem
bers OF the committee favored the
contract going TO one OF the firms en-
tered in the competition. There has
been too much winning and dining 10
suit me-" Alderman Prick stated ~
that time ut does not require any
wineato convince me in doing my duty
towards the city. The agents of these
bidders have been too busy among
the aldermen. I want them to get
out of town and stay out We are
competent to pass upon the hose
samples. For that reason ! want TO
see all OF these bids thrown out and
new ones called for" Alderman
Tricks recommendation was concur
red IN by the council. On the fire
and hight committee with Frick are J
Aldermen Simser and Cochran. The !
members of the finance committee are
Aldermen La Vanway. HolZhammer I
and Prick c
PUTS ALL UNDER CLOUD. r
After Alderman Simser had finish '
ed his statement to the council last /
night, Mayor C. W. McCaskrin asked 4
the Third ward representative if he O
would not further enlighten the q
council; that, inasmuch as he had I
made general accusations. there was :,
a reelection cast upon members of 7
the council. and IL he was in pos
session Of specific facts it was only :,
fair that he lay them before his fell
low members
II would like TO know about the :
jackpot. too" Alderman Frick said. :
81 want to hear what Alderman Sim :
ser knows. We should not stand for :,
any such damaging innuendos. Let II
the cat out of the bag, II there is
one. and then we will all feel better. q
-he way matters stand now we are 0
all under a cloud" >
Il have gone as far as 1 intend 10 G
= this time" Alderman Simser said. n
But there are Others who under g
stand me- u
Then. turning and whispering to
newspaper man. Simser said; IN
give them all they are looking for
{ they press me too hard For 6
ssve the goods