New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-07-11
'FOSD|CK EXAMINES LOVE
'Head of Fireworks Co. Says He
Did Not Pay Rebates.
sADMITS PROFITS WERE BIG
According to Testimony, United
Concern Made &c. 400 on "a
Brooklyn Displays.

Raymond f. Fosdick. Commissioner Of
Accounts examined Aubrey Love, president,
and Hugh W. Kelly. ce-president. Of the
United Fireworks Company yesterday. In an
effort TO find out. II possible. what became
Of the enormous profits resulting from the
sale of Fourth of July displays for Brook
lyn and The Bronx. Both acknowledged
that their profits were large. but declared
,mphaticaly that they had not paid any
~ them back TO any member of the com
rrittee. Fourth OF July came only once
year, they said, and profits had to be large.
Alderman Samuel Marx. chairman Of the
citizens subcommittee on fireworks. will
~ examined to-day.
Commissioner Fosdick also had on the
stand Michael E. Mamma and representatives
30 various fireworks concerns from which
the United Fireworks Company got its
goods. The testimony showed that the
limited bought the fireworks for the twenty
four Brooklyn displays from the North Ber-
gen Fireworks Company for $4,000. and
charged the city Se.490 for them. The
North Bergen company made a profit OF
$1,000 on the deal after paying for the
Transportation and tho cost of firing the
Gisplays.
n was learned that Mama, who is an
.mploye Of the North Bergen company and
. does not understand or speak English well,
{rot somewhat mixed up in his original aft
,Savit. ir which he declared that he had
isold the fireworks to the United company.
The fourteen displays for The Bronx were
bought by the United from the North Beach
Fireworks Company for s1,750 and sold 10
',he city for $4,000. The officers Of the
North Beach company made an original
profit Of $500 on the order.
Walter c. Booth, Of King & Booth. coun-
rel for the United company, in statement
YESTERDAY said that neither Mr.. Love nor
Mr. Kelly had avoided the service OF sub
.ncenas. They had appeared voluntarily.
THE statement said the officers of the com
many understood that Michael Mamma had
acknowledged that his affidavit was false
and that the transaction would be referred
10 the District Attorney Of Kings County.
AS already explained. Mama, not under
standing English well. had probably got
confused.
Commissioner Fosdick hopes TO get in
Touch to-day with the persons who are al
legged 10 have gone TO certain companies
snd said they could swing contracts Tor
them if they would promise a certain per-
.centage of the profits.
The expert retained by the Commissioner
Of Accounts reported yesterday that the
box Of fireworks sent 20 Alderman Morr1-
SONS district in Brooklyn, for which the
city was charged S420. contained material
that should not cost more than s42 90 at
wholesale Commissioner Fosdick explained
that. Of course. It would no necessary 70
sdd pretty good profit TO this. also the
expenses Of transportation. He thought
that a fair price TO the city would have been
well under 800.
The EXPERT to-day will examine two more
boxes that were sealed OF the night or the
Fourth because the aldermen receiving
them did not think they contained a proper
amount of fireworks.
Commissioner Fosdick thinks he has at
least learned enough to indicate that the
prices charged 10 the city were too high
and to warrant holding UP the payment
OF the bills. forcing the United Fireworks
Company 10 sue for Its money. such
suit might bring out more than Commits
soner Fosdck could well develop.
The following letter from the United
Fireworks Company to a manufacturing
firm ordering display 10 be sent 70 the
summer home Of Alderman Marx at It's
expense is in the possession of commission
81 Fosdck:
Belt Telephone, Trenton @S
Aubrey Love Hugh ". Kelly.
PreSt Vice Prest
United Fireworks Co, Manufacturers OF
HiCh Grade Fireworks.
Trenton. y. J.. June a. 1911
Joseph Chrome & Bro, No COS Monroe ave
nue.. HobOken, y. j.
Gentlemen.
please enter our order for one display Of
fireworks 10 bc given AT Belle HarDor,
Long Island. on the night of July 4. 1911
ship. prepaid I'm our name. using our
tags to Mr. Samuel Marx Villa Roma,
Orienta avenue. Belle HarbOr, Long Island,
y Y BE sure 10 prepay the freight.
Shipping tags iuclosed
Give your man our card inclosed mere
With. This display 10 be fired in our name.
Send us shipping receipt same day ship
irent Is made.
cost: 800 delivered and fired.
Send Fin a good display for the money,
Include a magnesium shell and mag
neslUm wheel.
let us know at once what lumber YOU
VIII REQUIRE Yours very truly,
UNITED FIREWORKS 'OMPAN>.