New-York tribune., 1921-05-04
kenneally and Cunning
ham Refuse to Sign a
Waiver in Investigation
of Water Meter Charges
Third Not Anxious
To Be Questioned
z Bribe Attempts Alleged;
New 800 Million Ring
Barred by Untermyer

wall yesterday when William P. Ken
neatly, vice-chairman of the board, re-
fused to waive immunity from criminal
prosecution that might result from his
testimony.
Alderman Frank A. Cunningham also
refused to waive immunity. Alderman
O'Rourkc when asked to 70 on the
stand declined, saying he was not an
xious to testify.
kenneally merely gave as his reason
that: II am not inclined to sign it,"
and Mr.. Untermyer. declared: "Under
the circumstances we do not care to
examine you. If you should change
your mind let us know and we shall
afford you the privilege of the witness
stand"
The testimony of several aldermen
that the report of the General Welfare
committee they had signed recon-
mendlng the admission of the BADGER
water meter for use in this citv in
competition with the product of the
eight firms in the Water Meter Manu-
facturers' Exchange had been altered
to read without recommendation" was
denied by William T. Collins, Demo-
cratic floor leader Of the Board of AL
dermen.
"Paster' Attached Later
Alderman Collins admitted that the
resolution when signed by eight of the
ten members of the General Welfare
Committee, of which he is chairman.
| recommending the admission Of the
meter, did not have the little typewrit-
ten "paster" on it reading, "Without
recommendation" when it was report
ed out before the board. He said he
saw the "pastef" on it two or three
days later, but didn't explain how it
got there or who auth orized it's attach
ment to the original form of approval.
He added that the meter, SO far as
he knew, had not been approved by the
General Welfare Committee, and that
William S.. Cetti, the Badger concerns
representative, had merely been told
that the meter would be reported out.
John j. Flaherty, committee clerk Of
the Board of Aldermen, said he added
the little "Without recommendation y
paster to the resolution, but didn't in
dicate who instructed him to do So
IF there was falsifcation," he said,
"it was not my fault. The General
Welfare Committee would be RESPONSE
bic for that"
At the conclusion of the testimony
on this point there were intimations
that the records in the case would be
turned over Immediately to Special
Deputy Attorney General Berger for
possible presentation to the grand jury
for criminal prosecution, it being a
penal offense to falsify a public record.
Cetti Approached Twice
Yesterdays hearing in City Hall de-
veloped some additional startling dis
closures. Among these was the state
ment of Cetti that he had been ap-
preached second time with request
for money to assure the passage Of
his meter resolution through the Board
of Aldermen. The man who made the
offer in both instances, according to
Cetti, was John E. Skelly, foremen
plumber, of 437 Third Street, Brooklyn,
associated with William G. O'Keefe &
| Son.
Skelly, according to the testimony,
told Cetti he "understood that Cetti
that he was trying to hog it," Skelly
also told Cetti, according to the lat
ter, that che wouldn't get the meter
into New York unless he used money
and that the Pittsburgh Meter Manu-
featuring Company had. paid $4,000
to get it through"
Skelly denied on the stand that he
made any such advances to Cetti, adj
mitting, however, that he had discussed
the water meter affair with Cetti on
several occasions.
Another combination of manufac-
turers in housing materials was dis
closed before the session adjourned.
This combination is composed of four
organizations of which the moving
power is Frank S. Hanly, who says he
is the Secretary" of these bodies, with
Offices at 261 Broadway. The annual
business of these organizations, prac-
tically controlling the plumbing supply
business of the nation, is said by Mr..
Untermyer to total approximately
$500 100000 3
I Forgery Charges
The air in the hearing chamber in
City Hall became filled with charges
|sof "doctoring," forgery" "tampering'
and alteration" of city records soon
after the session was opened.
Aldermen Abraham Beckerman and
Clifford S. Bostwick, who were mem
bers Of the General Welfare Commit
tee, before which the meter matter
came up before it went to the board,
testified they were "greatly shocked
when the resolution was reported out
without recommendation" Both de-
clared they had signed favorable re-
tcsntlnued On pass flye)