The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-11-04
'JEWETT LIES
IS ANSWER OF
CITY OFFICIAL
Authority Evasion Charge
in Buying Cars Denied
by Joel Baker.
REQUISITIONS OFFERED
Brands Former Mayor as
without Regard to
Truth

The lie" was hurled today at
Charles Jewett, former mayor and
principal Republican orator in the
city campaign, by Joel Baker, city
purchasing agent, who has been
accused by Jewett of making excess
Sive purchases of automobiles and
seeking to evade the statute re-
curing that all purchases of $1,000
or more be authorized by the
council.
Jewett has accused Baker of buy
ing stripped cars that the council
shall not be able to pass on the pur-
chaSes.
Baker today issued the following
statement:
Charles w. Jewett, known during
his own administration as az buck
Hole" Charley, has made Son. &C
cusations from the political stump
concerning the city purchasing de-
partment.
His remarks are those of a po-
litician who is desperate. They are
without foundation and without re-
gard for the truth. 1 have refrained
from answering them because /
know that any calf will hang him
self if given enough rope.
Bought Own Gas
"Jewett said that I had purchased
an Essex sedan for my own use.
1 never have bought an Essex sedan
for the city Of Indianapolis, nor
has the city ever owned an Essex
sedan. I have used by own per-
sonal car, and bought my own gaso-
line during all of my administration
of this Office.
"Jewett said that I purchased a
new Chevrolet coupe for the secre-
tary of the board of works. That
statement is also false. 1 never
have bought any automobile with
out requisition signed by a ma
iority of the board of works or
board of safety members, and after
due consideration by the board for
it's particular needs.
"Jewett also referred to an auto
mobile purchased for the city gar
age. That particular car Is used for
inspection trips by the board of pub
lie works, use Of garage Superin-
tendent, and for the legal depart
ment in its investigation of claims
against the city. He called it a de
luxe custom built body. traded in
on the purchase of this car one
OIdsnobile sedan appraised by three
automobile men appointed by Judge
Harry O. Chamberlin. Their APP
praisal was $275 and I received $741
for it. The total net cost OF this
car to the city was $500.
Purchases Authorized
"Jewett also spoke of automobiles
purchased out Of the gasoline tax
fund. If he had taken the time to
investigate, he would have found
that they we're one-ton trucks used
to haul materials such as gravel,
sand, clnders and cement for the
repair and maintenance of the
streets as specified by law, and
bought with the proper fleet dis
count Further, these particular
purchases were authorized in writ
ten opinion by the state board OF
accounts before the purchases were
made. Of course, Mr.. Jewett does
not know much about street repair
and maintenance, as it was not
practices to any extent during his
administration.
1.-THE La Sale chassis and body
purchased for the police depart
ment was ordered from two sep
arate acquisitions now on file in my
office, signed by the chief of police
and members of the board of pub
lie safety. Mr. Jewett knows that
most of the emergency cars pur-
chased in recent years have been Of
special construction, and that the
bodies have been made to different
specifications than the average
stock car.
THE total cost of the chassis and
body of this particular car to the
city was $525 less than the cost Of
a La Sale sedan purchased from
the floor Of the Indianapolis agency.
"Jewett has attempted, by innu-
endo, to divert the issues of this
campaign, but the people know him
too well to be sidetracked from a
duty that is apparent to all.
1.-THE records Of my Office are pub
lie records, and are open for in
spection by the city council or any
private citizen"