Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-04-10

t. Z. OuuHdIls foreman OF the IOCke
crusher, told the committee that city
teams had hauled to his house bricks,
raving blocks. sand and lumber given
him by Pressey Much Of this was
moved on city time or time and a half,
nights and Sundays.
Alderman's Teams Used
Fred c. Ridley, an alderman last
year. told the committee that, although
forbidden by law, his teams had been
used on city work and that he had
collected in the name Of a teamster.
He said that he had borrowed harness
es sleds and a sprinkler from the city,
Tut he had brought them back.
The committee found a large amount
or high-priced lumber purchased from a
local concern which could not be ac-
counted for, although marked for feed
boxes. No feed-boxes made Of pine or
whitewood could be located.
Men who worked for H. Williams. a
blacksmith on Haymarket square, who
did the city shoeng, testified to the COM
mittee that old shoes were always used
IN shoeing the city horses and that
sometimes they didn't fit and the horses
went lame. The bills from Williams were
at the top price for new shoes and some
extras. The shoeing bills averaged $50 a
year per horse.
From the records Of the purchasing
agent 1t was found the city paid for
enough hay and grain to feed IS horses
on hay or 80 on grain, and this was all
eaten by from 20 to q horses-or it dis
appeared Enough hay and grain was
sent to the rock-crusher to feed four
horses. but only one was used there.
Many lots of hay were purchased that
the committee could find no trace Of
Pressed hay was often bought when loose
hay was plenty and cheaper.
Whisky Prices Scared
The report says: 'In 1914 whisky was
bought for the pauper department in
Boston for $1.75 gallon. In 1915 it was
bought in Bangor for $3.50 and 50 a gallon.
In fine. the supply department as admin
istered by Mr.. Meinecke shows inexcus-
able carelessness to say the least, and
has cost the city thousands of dollars"
William Warren. Judge of probate of
Penobscot county, told the committee
that he had been duped by Henry Kelley
on hay bill. Kelley told Warren that
he and Pressey had some hay to sNll, but
being officials Of the street department
were not allowed to put through the deal
in their own names.
Judge Warren negotiated the sale
with the purchasing agent, making a
bill to the city upon weights furnish
ed by Kelley, amounting to $167. He
received check which he turned over
to Kelley. and declined $40, which KEEL
ley offered him as commission, saying
he had made the sale as a matter of
friendship.
Purchasing Agent Meinecke said that
the transaction went through his Of
flee, that he didn't see the by, but sup
posed it was delivered. Judge Warren
told the committee that Kelley had
acknowledged there was never any hay
bought. The committee says that I'D to
this time Judge Warren has not offer
ed to return the money to the city.
Pork Barrel Transaction
The committee said that the pauper
department had no adequate system
OF bookkeeping. Money received is kept
IN a pocketbook and turned over to
the overseers Of the poor once a
month. Supt. Pennell turned over
what money he had and got a receipt
He wouldn't know if he had lost any.
No records or list of sales was kept
Sec. Sheehan told the committee that
Supt. Pennell could have kept half he
got and nobody would have been the
wiser. Ex-Supt Garland said that
when he left the farm there was So or
40 tons of hay in the barn and Is bar
rels of pork. Supt. Pennell said that
when he went there he found only a,
Darrell of pork. He didn't know how
much hay there was or how much was
cut.