New-York tribune., 1921-05-02
Badger Co. Representative
Was Told Money Would
Ease It's Course in
the Board Of Aldermen
Lockwood Counsel
Knows Mans Name
'Untermyer Ch hal1enges
Hylan to Ask Action
in a Special Message

The Tribune was informed upon the
best OF authority last night that VIII
liam s. Cetti, thA Eastern representa-
tive Of the Badger Water Meter Manu-
featuring Company. Of Milwaukee. had
been approached with a request "a,
money to cease" the passage Of reso.
luton by the Board Of Aldermen ad-
mitting the company's meter to use
in this city.
1t is understood that the identity
OF the man who made the advance Ia
known to members Of the Lockwood
Committee on Housing. He is said to
be plumber.
according to the testimony Of Cetti
before the Lockwood committee last
Thursday, his firm has for more than
Two years been trying to get permis.
sion to sell its product in this CITY
In competition with the so-called water
meter combine which now has the sole
right to install meters here. Desnits
the fact that the Badger company's
meter has been approved by the chief
engineer Of the Department Of Water
Supply, said Cetti, his efforts to oct
the meter into the city have been
blocked at every turn by the refusal
ct the Board Of Aldermen 20 give its
final voice Of approval. s 40
Hylan's Connection
Mayor Hylan's connection with this
Pnase OF the committees investigation
was dwelt upon at length in letter
from Samuel Untermyer, chief counsel
Tor the Lockwood committee.
In the course of this letter. Mr.. I'm
ttermyer points out that Mr.. Hylan had
been informed of the facts in the
water meter situation fifteen mcnths
before he vetoed the bill designed to
get around the barrier Of the Board Of
Aldermen by placing the final voice
OF approval on water meters In the
hands Of the engineers of the Depart
ment of Water Supply. He suggests
that the reason assigned by the Mayor
for having disapproved the bill--that
1t would place the final word in the
arbitrary power Of one. man---is worse
than no reason s"in view Of the ex-
tr;aordinary action Of the Board Of
Mr.. Untermyer finally points out
that the Mayor by his action in vetoing
the bill destroyed the opportunity af-
forded by the Legislature for reliev-
ing the citizens of the city from the
water meter monopoly" and suggests
that if the Mayor "is disposed to be
helpful in releasing householders from
the incredible situation" he promptly
transmit to the Board Of Aldermen q
N, oeo -,,rrinn <ho% r. a1vo;% 10
Badger Company's meter to use here in
competition with those Of the members
of the Water Meter Manufacturers Ex-
change.
When Cetti was questioned yester-
day in connection with the reported
demand made upon him for money to
insure the passage Of his resolution,
he said:
IT must decline to say or do any
thing at this time that might in any
way embarrass the committees inves-
tigation." He did not deny, however,
that the story was true.
Story Of Bribe Request
According to the information, Cetti
was approached while his resolution
providing for the admission Of his
meter into the city was before the
Board Of Aldermen. At that time q
man went to Cetti's office, at 80 Court
Street, Brooklyn, and called Cetti out
from his office into the adjoining
aLook here, BILL" the man said to
Cetti, "you know you, can't get that
resolution through the Board Of Alder
men without greasing the wheels. How
about it?"
sWhom do you representa- cetti
asked.
II can't tell you," the man replied.
Cetti, it is declared, threw up his
hands in disgust and shouted:
AWell, you go back and tell the peo-
pie who sent you that I've never done z
crooked thing in my life and don't
intend to start now"
Cetti is then declared to have gone
back into his Office, leaving the man
standing perplexed in the hallway.
In view Of the fact that the man Il
declared to have addressed Cetti famil-
iarly as Bill 1t is assumed Cetti knew
(centInusd On sase ssur3