South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-04-08


the fourth ward. but 40 could be
accounted for when the committee
investigated Upon opening the bal
lot boxes nine spoiled or mutilared
ballots we're thrown aside by the
committee which added 20 four So
ciaIist votes. did not figure in the
count. The totals showed 201 votes
for Warner and 1916 for Landon, not
counting the six missing ballots.
g.. O. r. Council IL Obdurate.
Atty. O'Hara made a strenuous eff
fort 20 prevent the council from Civ
ing Warner the election certificate,
basing his contentious on the fact
that the state law specifically stipu-
latcs that all mutilated. spoiled.
ar unused ballots be returned TO the
city treasurer in order that every
ballot may be accounted for. But
the council refused 20 take into con-
sideration the six missing ballots.
Warner and the election board ex-
plain the situation by stating that
several ballots were thrown into
the stove" in the election room dur
ing the day, and that others were
picked up in the booths after the
polls were closed. II was stated that
the ballots which were not voted
upon and which we're left in the
booths by the voters 20 whom they
had been handed we're burned
and the supposition is that the six
missing ballots were included.
But the Landon supporters are
murmuring something about graft"
and are threatening 20 contest the
election further. They feel that if
the council had not been under the
thumb Of the Warner-Bridgema
ring. Warner would not have been
granted his election certificate under
the suspicious circumstances con-
nected with the election.
Puts Over Shady Deals.
Warner is the typical political
ward boss. His intelligence in that
line is best exhibited by the egotist-
ical story he told The News-Times
staff writer regarding his political
career during which ne described
some shady deals ne manipulated to
the advantage OF his constituents
and which he terms as vote get
ting methods.
Warner told about a fine three
span bridge he secured for the peo-
pie I'm his ward. With George
Bridgeman as his partner he says
he went 10 the contractor and told
him not 10 mention anything about
the cost Of that part of the bridge
which is under water. The con-
tractor agreed. according to War
neT.
II knew those other guys (mean-
ing his fellow councilmen) wouldn't
have sense enough TO see through
It." Warner explained.
Then according 10 the alderman
the city engineer was approached.
Puts MuZzle on Engineer.
"Br,dgeman and 7 told him just
90 keep his mouth shut when the
contractor brought the plans before
council" Warner related. "He knew
what was good for him because
$4,000 a year jobs are not found
every day
SO the contractor brought his
plans before the council. showing.
the gaudy pictures Of the bridge as
IL would look and leading the coun-
ell TO think the Job would only cost
$4,000. failing TO mention anything
about the cost Of the underwater
work. The contract was let, says
Warner. and the bridge cost the
PEOPLE OF Benton Harbor over $751;
600.
The fourth ward got the bridge
and the money was taken from the
general fund. therefore the people
it." explained Warner. That's the
stun that makes votes
Also Pulled Paving Trick.
Then Warner told how ne repair
ed Paw Paw av. He was chairman
OF the council committee on streets
and alleys. He told the writer that
he spoke to the council about the
condition OF Paw Paw av. and sug-
gested that Il be repaired" The
council agreed that since he was
chairman OF the streets and alleys
committee ne could direct the street
department TO repair the street.
Il had II repaired all right"
laughed Warner.
=
own story ne had the city street de-
partment grade the street put in
crushed stone and covered that with
certain material.
The other councilmen lived in
other parts or the town explained
Warner. so they were not next 70
what was up and within two weeks
7 had three blocks of paved street.
Then Warner explained that the
repair work cost $4,000 and that
the money was taken from the gen
eral fund therefore the taxpayers
all over the city had TO pay for the
street constructed I'm his ward
That's what makes votes. all
right" declared Warner.
Sentence on Warner In his blind
pig" case has been suspended until
April Il, and il the supreme court
has not made decision by that
time. the time may be extended. In
the meantime Warner is serving in
the city council.
pPICnNER HAS REU0l WEB