Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-12-11
PAINTERS CLAIM THAT
CHEAP MATERIALS
WERE USED
CHALLENGE CHARGE.
SOLONS RESENT INFERENCE
THERE WE'RE IRREGULARITIES
IN CONNECTION WITH WORK |
ON NEWLY CONSTRUCTED |
COUNTY BUILDING.

Accusations of Irregularities that
were little short of graft in connec-
tion with the construction OF the La
Sale County tuberculosis Santa
rum did not set well with the board
of supervisors this morning when rep
resentatives of the Ottawa Painters
and Decorators Union openly accused
James Finneran Of La Sale OF using
u cheaper grade of material on the
walls Of the new sanitarium when
contracts called for specified brands
Of costiier and better quality.
The outbreak came upon the heels
of an allegation that the solons vert
discriminating against Ottawa and La
Sale County workmen who are EN-
ployed at this trade In favor OF con
tractors living outside the county
Delegated as a committee to Tile a
protest with the county board, Ed
ward Streuver and William Wilcox
two local contractors, made the
charges which set the legislators OIL
their mettle for a few moments
6treuver, acting as spokesman for the
painters committee openly accused
zimmerman of the irregularity. He
charged that in his work Zimmerman
used Benjamin Moore's Sanillat pre-
aration In finishing the walls Of tn
institution, while specifications at thu
time bids were issued called for liz
seed oil and white lead.
The job, he said, was executed, com
pleted and passed upon by the CON
mittee without any detection Of tht
alleged irregularity. Streuyer supple
mented his remarks with announce
ments that he did not know how thh
happened to come about, which lel
just enough doubt in the minds OF hi
auditors whether he was openly at
cusing or whether by yelled inference
he was trying to leave the impression
of graft. In any event his hints Wer
snapped up By Supervisor NJ j. Chai
ley Of La Sale, chairman OF the build
ing o1mmittea Mr.. Charley al
nounced that his committee was H.
nocent Of any harm having been done
He professed for himself and othe
members of the committee ignoranc
OF the virtues or qualities Of paint
and said all were innocent of any il
tent to deceive the taxpayers or t,
permit fraud to be practiced upo.
them.
In his remarks To the board, tn
floor having been granted him b.
unanimous consent Streuvcr said Ii
had evidence that Moores prepar,
tion was used instead of the materl,
called for in specifications submitte
to contractors of the county. He san
ne could substantiate his claims wiz
alfidavits II the board wished to haN
them, from men who knew what the
were talking about.
Streuyer said that he and othe
workmen Of his trade were IN tn
dark as to why they were being di
criminated against, and asked tina
they be enlightened, 50 in the futur
they could get their share of tn
county's business instead Of all tn
work going to non-taxpayers VIII
lived elsewhere. He named as one
his examples the Charles Biegle firm
company of decorators with a wild
reputation throughout the entire mi,
die west, with Chicago as its hea
quarters.
After the painters representa-,
had had his turn on the floor NJ
Charley sprang to his feet and d
manded that as .ong as the integri
of his committee had been question:
his colleagues Immediately institu
an investigation to ascertain the trut
fulness OF Mt. Streuver's assertion
He gave voice TO his resentment
tho charges in a challenge to Streuv
to prove his charges, at the san
time avowing the innocence of hin
self and Others Of the committee
any graft or irregularities during Il
completion of the sanitarum.
+. y. Rlchey was next on the Hot
and he asked that as the board h
Continued on page 3, column %