Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-12-30
State Road Work
Goes to Vareite

Continued from Page One
he could actually supply the equipment
necessary for the work. One of the
engineers in the department estimated
that Eisele was obliged to buy at least
500, 900 worth of equipment besides
renting much more.
Before letting contracts to Eiscle, the
state Highway Department required
him to state, with proof, his ability TO
finance the jobs. to provide the equip
said the officials, did all this. They say
they did not hear until later of his
connection with Ware.
One of the requirements Of the de =
partment is that the contractor. in this
asc Eisele. shall be able to show that
he has cash resources Of 20 per cent
Of the amount Of the contract. This
means that Eisele would have to show
cash resources of S320.00O. Failing
that. he had to show cash resources ol
at least 100000 90 per cent of tbs
contract) and letter from bani
showing that he had credit and backing
for the rest.
Bank Backs Ware Protege
Therefore Eisclc had the American
Bank and Trust Company. Broad street
and Passayunk avenue, South Philadel.
phia, send letter signed by Thoma:
s. Boyle, president of the institution
Mr.. Boyle is a personal friend of Et
Ware and it is generally understood
that it was with the approval ant
recommendation of Senator Ware thai
Mr.. Boyle was appointed by the Boart
Of Judges as n member of the Board o.
Education.
One of the vice presidents OF thi.
bank is John II. Bnizlcy. who served il
the old Common Council az member
from one Of the Ware wards in South
Philadelphia, the Thirty ninth, home
ward of Senator Ware.
For some reason or other. the letter
from Mr.. Boyle is not dated. There |.
nothing on the front or back of the
letter to show when IL was received by
the department. The letter, addressed
to Commissioner Sadlcr, follows;
This will certify that Philip c.
Eisele has the backing that will jus.
tify this bank in financing him to the
extent OF the sum of 5000 900 or more
I look upon Eisele as absolutely respon
siblc and able to carry out any agree.
ments he makes with the State. because
Of those that i know are backing him. -
Special attention IS now being di.
rccted to this last sentence in Mr.
Boyle'S letter. Whom did he mean
Who backed Eisele? Ware?
Dummys Used as Cloalis?
For some time there has been talk
Of politicians. especially those in tn,
Legislature, being interested in one wa,
or another in State contracts. 1t Is
believed that any member of the Legis-
lature who had such an interest would
cover it IN by means Of dummy.
The reason Is that il probably wOult
be illegal for member of the Legis-
lature TO profit from n contract, the
money for which is provided by The
Legislature of which the interested
political contractor is member.
In fact there is n constitutional in
hibition which prevents n member from
voting on bill in which he is inter.
csted. Further he il required TO dis
close. on the floor Of the Legislature
his interest in such bill.
1t is pointed out here that this con
stitutional inhibition would extend tt
political contractors who are member,
of the Legislature. for the reason that
they vote TO supply the Highway De.
partmcnt funds.
State Highway DCDartment officials
said this question had not been RAISED
In the Eisele or any other case be.
cause the records do not disclose what
secret re!N tions. II any, there NAV b,
between the contractor and the lcsis
latOr. In fact. "a stated. highway of.
/ ticials said they did not hear unit
nftcrward'' that Eisrlc. for example
| had any kind of connection with Ware
They did not seem to regard asNsug
| Cestivc that Eisclc should suddenl,
enter the State contracting field. go
one Of tn" finest Jobs" in the State
If not in the country. and undcrhid ol,
md long established road building firms
Contracts In Western Pennsylvania
The five EiSclc contracts are in Mer
Ger and Lawrence Counties, on the OK
trcmr western edge Of Pennsylvania, a
far from Philadelphia and street clean
! inc nG II l.. nngSihln !, cot anI ,.,,, I;