Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-07-09

lowed rebates on their water bills "nile
other people paid the regular rate. THESE
rebates run as high as SIS in some cases
Fourth That all the commissioners
were guilty of had conduct as the records
show that labor and material was fur-
nished to favored persons while charging
others the full rates for similar service.
A partial investigation only shows AZ dis
tinct violations of Sec. 124 OF the city
charter where labor and material was
furnished as above described amounting
In some cases to 500. The matter relat-
ing to this charge is one Of the most
serious ones as disclosed by an invesh-
CATION of the records of the department
Fifth. The commissioners were guilty
Of incapacity and Misrepresentation OF
funds of the department., in installing an
engine at the filtration plant at a cost
OF $780, which has been shown to be
inadequate and an unnecessary expendi-
ture.
Sixth. That all the commissioners
were guilty of bad conduct az the records
show that rank violations Of Secs. 34-?5
of the ordinance In the making OF spe
cial rates when the ordinance distinctly
states that the city council alone has
power to make or change water rates.
Seventh. That all the commissioners
were guilty of bad conduct In not Coop
Grating with the electric light department
when 70 requested. in the purchase of an
addressograph az a saving to the city OF
about Sl20.
Eighth. That Commissioners RutteT
and Jones were guilty of negligence In
7 OF taking any action with reference to
the shameful abuse of Miss Kitty McCaf-
frey and her sister by Superintendent
Kiddee at the time they were discharged
by him without offering any excuse for
so doing.
Ninth. That A. II. Rutter was guilty
| Of bad conduct II was shown that the
department team with two men on differ
ent occasions have drawn manure to
Commissioner Rutter's and superintend-
ent Kidder's grounds.
| Tenth. That all the commission, :
were guilty Of negligence in allowing
brass and other junk to be disposed OF
by the superintendent with no returns
for the same being ever made to the city
Eleventh. That the commissioners are
guilty of bad conduct In allowing the
superintendent, contrary to Sec. 3 Of the
| ordinances. In doing a large amount Of
work of a private nature, and as dis
closed by the records Is the cause of
some of the most serious abuses.
Twelfth. That all the commission ;
are guilty of bad conduct in allowing
hot water furnace. for which an offer
! was received of $50. to be taken from the
department and installed in Commission
or Smays' home and the records show
no sale was ever made to Mr.. Simays or
a single dollar received by the depart
ment from any source, although having
occurred nearly year ago. Mr. Simavs
is guilty of bad conduct in common with
the other commissioners, but in addition
he is guilty of a criminal act in having
property of the city under the conditions
as above described, found in his POI
session.
In view of the disclosures made by the
investigating committee as revealed even
by n partial examination of the books
of the department. showing an open and
general disregard of the ordinances gov
erning this department by the present
commissioners in the interest OF clean
and honest government, | earnestly
recommend that the present commit sion-
ers be removed from office.
Respectfully submitted.
JAMES f. BURKE,
Mayor.