The Detroit times., 1913-10-31
FIRE DEPARTMENT HAY IS
AWAY BELOW GRADE PAID
FOR, DECLARES INSPECTOR

Board of Trade. that afternoon, ac-
cording 10 the secretary and said: l
don't want any inspection on that
fire department hay. I'm buying II
on the stack in the country, and I've
got q s5-a-day man out there, inspect
ing II. and grading it,
The fire department didn't ask for
any inspection, and there the matter
dropped
Both Secretary Donovan and In
spector Foster were reluctant 70 talk
about the matter. but when asked,
pointbIank. whether II was NOT true
that they had knowledge OF the fact
that the fire department was belns
furnished with hay unfit TO feed 70
horses. they admitted that was true
Fire Commissioners j Bosquett
says that the promised investigation
of department affairs, preached when
Claude Leach, Pennington hay deal
err. was arrested on a fraud charse,
may last a month, three months, or
six months. and that when 1t is mn
ished. the newspapers Will be given
the full report OF the findings.
II can say nothing more, at TINS
time said the commissioner "than
that a committee has been appointed.
am the chairman. The committee is
10 make a thorough Investigation
"Of just the Leach matter, or o.
other matters?" he was asked
"Of everything" he replied. or
the whole fire department
He stated that up TO date the com
mittee consisted only of himself ana
Commissioner William j. Chittendeh'
win other commissioners be on
the committee, later?" was asked.
II don't know What the plan is, al
this time" was the reply.
How will the investigation be pur-
sueo? Will any detective agency OF
other Investigators OF the Sort DC
put to work."
Il don't know" Commissioner Bos
ouett replied Il have no autholi'y
TO spend any money on the investsa
ton. The board will meet, Monoay
afternoon. and at that time ways anu
means will undoubtedly be discussed.
: Aid. Elmer Case Is having prepared
an ordinance providing that all loose
hav -brought into the city must De
weighed on the city scales. This Is
TO prevent grating farmers from de
liyering light" loads to city depart
rnents and to private purchasers.
THE story that the fire department
las been paying for tons OF hay that
il never received did not surprise me,
said Aid Case. Il think the depart
ment Is partly TO blame for not taking
the necessary precautions in transac-
lions of that kind.
Several months ago | investigated
and found that the department had
sold 20 horses for s25 each. These
horses were sold to the Kolb-Gotfred-
son Co. The department explained
that the horses were disposed OF at
that low price because they were TO
be given good homes on farms as a
reward for the faithful service in the
department. | was reliably informed
that these horses were not retired TO
farms, but sold to any purchaser for
the best price they would bring. The
city lost about $4,000 on the deal &C
cording to my figures.
The department also has a contract
with the same firm for the purchase
OF all horses used In the service.
number OF prominent horse dealers
have told me that they would be able
10 furnish good. healthy horses to the
department at a cheaper price than Is
now being paid. I intend TO have this
matter looked up at the earliest oppor-
tunity."