Imperial Valley press., 1920-04-20
CITY GARBAGE
COLLECTOR
NA MED IN
CHARGE
Three Hundred Bill Bone of
Contention and $3.50 Split
Offered If 1t Can Be Col
lected in Charge.

A bombshell in city affairs was
exploded today when hints of at
tempted graft were dropped by
William Egerer, retiring health
commissioner, and City Health
Officer DeyO, over the payment of
$4,000 to McClaine, city garbage
collector, alleged by him to be due
for~extra work done in keeping the
city clean.
The. first charge of attempted graft
came to the surface at the meeting
of the city council last night, when
Mr.. Egerer in his retiring speesh
said, II congratulate the incoming
members of the city council and wish
you successful administration in
your new roll, as servants Of the
people. You will call upon me in the
near future to aid you in certain
work and will be at your service at
all times. A bill Is now in the hands
of the city clerk calling for $500 for
work alleged to have been done BY
McClaine, the city garbage collec-
tor. This bill has not been paid and
it will not be paid, if my signature is
necessary"
BILL WON'T BE PAID
He continued saying "Nr. NcClaine
was hired by the city at stated
sum, and it was his duty TO keep the
city clean and sanitary during stip-
uulated length of time. He later pre-
sented this bill for $500, and asked
that it be paid. l refused and will
continue to do So"
The charge of attempted graft was
made when he said, SIN order to
secure the payment Of this additional
bill, Mr.. McClaine approached City
Health Officer Deyo and stated that
if he would use his influence in
getting it O'ked the two would divide
the sum received.
Mr.. Egerer was asked today to
repeat his statement on the subject
and state his stand for publication if
he cared and his answer was you
may use every word that was said
last night and add, I refused to order
the bill paid and / will see McClaine in
H first"
Mr.. McClaine did not approach
Egerer with his plan, SO the commits
sioner said, but took it to the health
officer. "Mr. Deyo and have been
very closely related and worked in
harmony since coming in contact with
each other in our mutual position in
the health department and he at once
came to me and told me Of the plan
laid before him by the collector" Mr..
Egerer added.
'TLL DIVIDE"
Captain Deyo was also asked to
make statement in regard to the
incident and he said, "NcClains ap-
preached me one day before the bill
had been presented and before a sum
had been suggested by him and he
said, You (referring to Deyo) are
not being very well paid by the city
for the work that you are doing and
if you will aid me in having this bill
sanctioned, I'll divide with you
'At that time nothing was said Of
the amount nor did he offer to explain
the portion Of the city that had re-
ceived the additional attention, war
ranting the payment of the extra
sum-" said Captain Deyo.
McClaine was contracted by the
city to keep it in a clean and sani-
tary condition for IL months at $225
per month. Why the additional
amount was added is not known.
The matter will be brought before
the new city council At the next
regular meeting, and at that time
McClaine will undoubtedly be called
to make public statement before the
board.