Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-23
City Hall Offices Target of
Frying Investigators
After Facts.
OUTCOME OF CHARGES
Allegations of Mrs. Eaton
Threaten to Stop Munic-
ipal Machinery.

Chicago, Feb. 23-The city civil
service commission today ordered the
pay roll of the department of public
welfare held up for investigation of
the graft charges made by Mrs. Page
Waller Eaton, against Mrs Louise Os-
borne Rowe, department superintend-
ent.
The order was issued by Percy COT
fin, president of the commission. and
was the first step in the official in
vestigation Of the assertions of Mrs.
Eaton that she had been obliged to
contribute part of her salary for the
relief of the sister-in-law of Mayor
Thompson, Mrs. Margaret Mivelaz.
Allegations that Fred Lundin, for
mer congressman and present political
adviser of the mayor, dominated the
city hall, and assertions of pay roll
padding in the department of public
welfare, were features of the story
which made Chicago political circles
hum with excitement.
Chicago, Feb 23-Information to be
laid before the council committee on
schools, fire, police and civil service
when it meets Friday morning to in
vestigate the charges of graft laid
bare by Mrs, Page Waller Eaton In her
allegations that she had been forced
TO pay one-third of her salary to Mrs
Louise Osborne Rowe, commissioner
OF public welfare, was sought today
Alderman Lynch Of the committee said
the investigation would be far-reach-
ing and would investigate the whole
subject Of pay roll graft.
An independent investigation has
been started by the city civil service
commission.
Mayor Thompson Rfled.
Charges and counter charges have
been stirred up by the wage graft al
legations. Mayor Thompson assailed
Edward j. Brundage, Senator Sher-
mans campaign manager in Cook
county, asserting that he was involv
ed in the development of the graft
charges. Brundage denied all connec-
ton with the matter.
Mrs. Rowe denied all allegations and
challenged her accusers, saying enc
mics OF the administration are re-
sponsible for charges of graft.
Mrs Eaton renewed her charges and
asserted Mrs. Rowe had, in addition,
padded" the pay roll.
Mrs. Margaret E Mivelaz, sister Of
Mrs. Thompson, wife of the mayor, an
alleged recipient Of the salary graft,
ing any service Miss Lundby denied
aid in the manner charged.
Charges Dummies on Pay Roll.
Miss Emma K Lundby, a stenogra-
pher, Mrs. Eaton asserted, was car
ried on the pay roll without perform
ing any service Miss Lundby denied
the charge. She said she was on Mrs.
Rowe's pay roll from July l until Jan.
5, but declared that she worked con-
stantly
Miss Julia Keller, Mrs. Rowe's reg
ular Junior stenographer, went to CAL
ifornia for her health July l and after
several extensions OF leave or absence
returned Jan and Miss Lundby was
taken off the pay roll. Mrs. Eaton
made the following statement:
Two months after Miss Keller went
away her place was not filled. Soon
after she was gone Mrs. Rowe called
me into her private Office. She said
Miss Keller's position paid $50 a
month.
81 propose.' said Mrs. Rowe, that
We carry a dummy on the pay roll
during Miss Kellers' absence and split
the $50 salary between US
II told her that was a dangerous