New-York tribune., 1920-01-24
Says He
Ousted Day for
Making Profits
Tells Estimate Board That
Former Markets Commits
sioner Sold Army Food
Above Prescribed Price
La Cuardia Urges Inquiry
His Resolution Defeated. He
threatens 10 Ask Congress
Committee 10 Investigate

Mayor 'lylan said at tho mcctlno of
the Board Of Estimate Yesterday that
he had dismissed Dr. Jonathan C. Dav
as Commissioner Of Markets because
Dr. Day had sold surplus army food to
the public at profit. This is the first
time the Mayor has ascribed reason
Tor his abrupt ousting OF Or. Dav.
Ihe explanation was made during a
wranglc between +. H. La Guardia.
President of the Board of Aldermen
and the Mayor Mr. La Guardia Of
tered his resolution calling for an in
Vestlgatlon into the sale of army food
stutfs by the Department of Public
Markets.
The Mayor and his Democratic col
leagues on the Estimate Board sue
cceded in having the resolution tabled.
despite the protests of Mr. La Guardta.
who was supported by Borough Presi-
dent Curran of Manhattan. the other
Republican on the board.
La Guardia to ASK Inquiry
In statement issued last night Mr..
La Guardia said that he would ask for
an inquiry by the special committee on
Investigation Of the House of Repre-
sentatves. He was a member of this
committee while in Congress. During
the argument with the Mayor over the
resolution in the afternoon the latter
had decided that the city did not CON
duct the sale, but that MIR. O'Malley
and former Deputy Markets Commits
sloner Smith had acted as special
agents for the government
"If this is true" Mr.. La Guardia
said. then Congress, which was to see
to it that the food was distributed d
without profit, can investigate. 1t
can ascertain both the expenditure OF
SlS5000 for labor, the $145.00O for
transportation and the $4,000 sur
plus.
81 am still willing to have city ins
vestigation if the Mayor viii cooperate
with mo and give me the assistance OF
his Commissioner Of Accounts. want
the facts and expect to get them"
The Mayor arrived at the meeting
of the Board of Estimate about an hour
late. When Mr.. La Guardia s rcsolu-
tion was introuced he ordered it filed
protest from Mr.. La Guardia drew a
vollcy of several hundred words from
the Mayor.
"Thc former Commissioner of Mar
hets, whose services had to be dis
pcnsed with the Mayor said. "is still
busy about town. Under his supervi-
sion the Markets Department dispose
OF some army food and later navy food
There was d surplus from the sale
which has been turned over to com
mlttee to be used partly for the pur-
chase of ice at the present time from
icehouses up the river, to be distrIb-
uted to the poor next summer"
The Mayor said that the ice trust
was fighting him and is trying to dis
pose Of the fund.
MIR. La Guardia interrupted to say
that when he was in Congress he anc
several colleagues took an active IN
terest in the disposal Of the War Dc
partment stocks. and comoelled the de
sumner through municipalities. He said
he was startled when he learned Of the
large surplus remaining after the sale
here.
Gave Bond, Says Mayor
The food was not purchased with
city money or by the city. The com
acting as agents and gave bonds to
the government the Mavor said. The
aldermanic president said he doubted
it, No bor DIS were on file for the
commissioners, he said The Mayor
insisted there were and attempted to
justify the expenditure Of $lS5,0Oo
for labor.
Does it cost $lS5.o00 to watch the
food ?" Mr.. la Guardia wanted to
know, after remarkng that he under-
stood that the sales women were
volunteers The Mayor rotortod that
the Commission er of Accounts was IN
vestigating this and would report IN
due time. Mr.. La Guarda asked that