New Britain herald., 1925-01-21
PAONESSA LEARNS OF BOAST PERMIT
 SELLS FOR $500
Building Contractor Said to Have Openly Dragged Of h. 1uence, Mayor Is Informed,
 He Says
BOARD NOT IMPLICATED
 IN STORIES OF GRAFT

IN SIURlES UF GRAFT Commission Not Target in Herald
 Article -- Detective O'Mara Sets
 Out on Trail--Warner, Barry and
 Firth Appointed to Succeed Wcx-
 Ter, Hinchliffe and Quinliyan, Who
 Resigned.
 Another disclosure in the series of sensational developments in the building department graft investi- gation instituted by Prosecuting Attorney Joseph c. Woods at the suggestion of Mayor A. NJ. Paonessa, became public today when the mayor announced he has been in- formed local building contractor openly boasts he can secure a build ing permit at any time for $500.
 The mayor said today he is con- vfneed an investigation is desirable. He does not duplicate any of the past or present members of the building commission in any wrong doing. but he has heard a number os rumors that he believes should be traced.
 Commissioners Not Involved.
 Israel Wexler, former chairman of the building commission, and ex- Commissioner Thomas Quinlivan, both of whom resigned last week after a series of tits with the mayor, were early callers at the executive offices in city hall this morning and arranged a conference with the mayor. The commission CTS were displeased with the report of the investigation as published last evening since they felt the public would interpret it IS aimed at them. 4 perusal of the story as presented exclusively in last nights Herald showed no mention having been made of the building commission in connection with the rumors of ir- regularities.
 Mayor Paonessa said he made no statement involving the ex-commis- sioners. and Councilman Arthur N. Rutherford who attended a secret meeting in the mayors office Mon day evening insisted that no men ton was made of the commission at that time.
 It was not generally known until today that the mayor was in pos session of the information concern ing the latest rumor which involves we'll known builder.
 According to the mayors state ment he learned of the boast Mon day evening at the secret session from one of those who remonstrat- ed against the building department policies in the matter of permits. This information has been turned oyer to the prosecuting attorney for action.
 Wcxlcr Gave First Tip.
 Explanation was offered today Of the facts concerning the first ru- Inor of graft which, incidentally. was published by Chairman Wexler of the building commission. Last week, WeXler informed the common council members that he had been informed a building contractor took up contributions 10 buy up the building commission in an opposi- ton move against issuance of a permit. He explained today the purpose of these contributions was later found to be the hiring of an attorney to have an injunction is- sued. Part of the money was ex- pended for attorneys fees, it is said
 Quinlivan Welcomes Probe.
 Commissioner Quinlivan who rep resented the plumbing craft on the building commission said he would welcome a thorough probe and would render every assistance to the Investigating authorities.
 Detective Patrick OMara of the police department has been assigned to conduct the investigation and is operating under the direction of the prosecuting attorney. Wit nesses are being interviewed and when all the facts have been col iccted q typewritten copy of the findings will he placed in the hands Of Mayor Paonessa,
 New Commissioners Named
 Mayor Paoncssa today appointed II. C. Warner, Joseph r. Barry and Thomas Firth to the building com mission 10 succeed Messrs. WeXler. Hinchliffe and QuinltN an.
 The mayor announced several days ago that he felt it was a mis- take 10 have contractors on the board. but he evidently experienced @ change of mind since all three ap- pclntees are contractors. MT. War ner is a building contractor, Mir. Firth is connected with the plumb ing firm of Kallberg X Firth, and Mir. Barry Is a member of the firm of Barry & Bamforth, electricians. Firth, who is a democrat. was a candidate for the common council in the fourth ward last spring. Barry and Warner are republicans.