The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-12-03
CITY COUNCIL
SLAPS BAKER
VERY GENTLY
NOnauthOrized Purchase
ReprehenSibIe, but Not
Criminal, Finding.
RECOMMEND NO ACTION
SCorn JeWett Suggestion on
Buying; Praise Is Dis
penSed Freely.

City council has slapped the
wrist" of Purchasing Agent Joel A.
Baker for buying the $1,000 La Sale
automobile for Police Chief Claude
M. Worley on split acquisitions
without council approval, but rec-
commended no further action as re-
suit of the investigation of alleged
/ Irregularities.
The committee, composed of Her.
nan P. Lieber, chairman; Edward
w. Harris and Earl Buchanan, con-,
cluded that splitting of acquisitions
on the car was for the purpose Of
evading the authority of the COM
mon council; Irregular and not in
harmony with the purpose and in
tent Of the statute and that such
purchase is voidable."
The committee report was pre-
sented Monday night to the council
at dinner at the Indianapolis Ath-
letic Club, given. by Edward B.
Raub Sr., retiring president, before
the regular session.
| Violated Law
Those who executed the requisi-
lions clearly violated the law" the
report said. There was some claim
of emergency. The city council
easily could have exercised its au-
thority and authorized such pur-
chase during the time of the nego-
tiations, If it had been requested to
do So"
The report stated no other at
| tempts of this kind had been found.
The report termed it good prac-
tice' to obtain council approval
where the transaction exceeds $4,000
even though the cash outlay Of the
city is less than $4,000.
Neither the charges, or the evil
dence claimed any collision, fraud
or dishonesty on the part of the city
employees. The price of the La Sale
car was very fair" said the report.
Charles w. Jewett, former mayor
and Republican campaign speaker,
whose charges brought about the
investigation, had demanded that
ordinances authorizing purchases
should specify in detail things to
be bought and the prices to be paid.
The committee decided this UNI
necessary under the statute and
declared such a practice would
defeat successful marketing on the
part of the purchasing agent after
authority is granted"
Holt Is Praised
The council cited City Controller
Sterling R. Holt for his display of
great vigilance with respect to the
expenditure of public money"
Taking a direct rap at Jewett's
campaign charge, the committee re-
ported there is no authority re-
quiring subsequent approval of
purchase made under the authority
of an ordinance"
The report entirely eXonerated
Oren S. Hack, city corporation coun-
| sci and former works board member,
and John w. Hoffman. former
corporation counsel and former
mayor, for their participation in
compromising suits against the city
for alleged "eXhorbitant" prices for
| flood prevention lands.
Testimony revealed that Hack was
not identified wit hthe city when he
represented billing 81 Co. in court
and had not participated in the pro-
! ceedings while he was a member Of
the board because of his previous
connection with the firm as general
counsel.
No j. Collision Found
an neither the billing or Granite
Sand and Gravel case is there any
evidence tending to indicate any
collision, dishonesty or fraud" the
| report declared. THE soundness OF
the judgment of the corporation
counsel in consenting to such
awards could be the only possible
subject of question" The council
questioned the large expenditures
when asked to pass bonds to pay
the court judgments.
Frank E. Gates and Don Rider,
Indianapolis Real Estate Board rep
reSentatives, advised the council
that the Real Estate Board had
made only one appraisal of the
Dilling property and that ere
appraisal was signed by certain
real estate men and not by the
board.
Mayor L. Ert Slack, who invited
the investigation, attended Raubs
complimentary dinner. The report
was discussed at the secret meeting
and few changes made. 1t was
not read at the public council ses-
sion, which was scheduled for 7:30
p. m, but got under way at p. m.
Lieber stressed the Importance Of
the hearing, because it showed how
the city has to acquire property I'M
der condemnation proceedings, pay
ing large figure for it,"
John F. White, chairman of the
subcommittee investigating pur-
chase of motor equipment and use
Of the city gasoline supply, conpli-
mented Fabian w. Biemer, garage
superintendent, and other officials,
on the economical showing made.