The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-01-04

IuIOuSu.
Polk officials indicated they would
seek a court order to compel the
city to carry out the Polk contract.
Collins, Maxwell charged, told him
- wanted back the contract, which
had been awardc1 after bids had
been submitted to the board of
health, so it might be given to the
Jessup G. Antrim Ice Cream Com
pany, which had the contract in 1926.
The contract amounts to between
$25,000 and 100000 a year.
On Grand Jury
A. w. Antrim, president Of the,
Jessup and Antrim Company, was
drawn upon the new Marion Coun-
ty grand jury the morning Of Dec.
27.
The grand jury is expected to con-
tinue the inquiry into Indiana po-
litical corruption. The former grand
jury failed to return indictments, 1t
being reported two jurors blocked
them.
The ]. and A. and the Polk bids
had been submitted some time prior
TO this.
Collins denied Maxwell's charges
and said he did not care to discuss
the matter over the telephone.
Here is the story told by Maxwell
in the presence of two responsible
witnesses:
On the morning of Dec. 28, the
day, after the grand jury had been
drawn, Maxwell received by mail the
copy of the contract to supply the
hospital and fresh air school.
About that afternoon Maxwell
received a telephone call from Col
Inns that he was to receive a notice
the contract was cancelled and that
he had better come to city hall.
Maxwell Immediately went to city
hall.
Collins said there had been a mix
up over "the milk deal"
'I'll take care of you later on, but
I'll have to give this to the j. and
A." Maxwell said Collins told him.
Collins, according to Maxwell, said
he was not passing the buck"
'I've got three years more in office
and I'll see that you are fixed UP
some other time"
Maxwell said he refused to sur
render the contract.
TO See Mayor
Maxwell said he went to see Will
Eor ~ 1ff nI
Buser took him upstairs to Mayor
Duvall's Office. While they were
waiting for the mayor, Collins came
in and angrily inquired if they were
going over my head" They did not
get to see the mayor, Maxwell said
The next day in a conference with
j. Duane DUNCAN, general manager
Of the Polk concern, and Walter
Pritchard, attorney, it was decided
the contract was legal and the Polk
company would fight for it's rights.
About 5 the afternoon of Dec. 20,
Maxwell said, he and Pritchard
called on Collins. They went to
the board Of works office, so there
would be more privacy.
Maxwell said he explained that
the Polk Company had purchased
some expensive new cans in which
to deliver the milk and intended to
stand upon the contract.
Offered $500
Whereupon, according to Maxwell,
Collins said:
"I'll give you 5000 out of my own
pocket to reimburse you for your
expenses If you'll return that con-
tract to me-"
Maxwell said he refused again,
and then Collins tried to trade him
three smaller contracts with other
city departments for the big one.
On Jan. both the Polk and j. and
A. companies started delivery upon
the contracts, each leaving 100
gallons Of milk and eight to ten
gallons of cream. This went on
daily until this morning when DIR.
William Doeppers, city hospital
superintendent, ordered both COM
panies. to stop leaving milk until
further notice. The hospital had
enough milk on hand to last until
| Wednesday.
1t was reported that Charles Men
denhall, health board attorney, Col
Inns, Maxwell and Pritchard, were
| to meet late today to discuss the sit
uation further.
Denies Controversy
Collins was asked:
"Will you tell The Times about
your controversy with the Polk Milk
Company"
II have no statement to make" re-
piled Collins.
did you make an offer of 5000 tc
the Polk Milk Company for them tc
drop their 1927 contract?"
II made no such offer and there
) has been no contract made with the
Polk Milk Company" said Collins.
did you make any recommenda