Evening star., 1947-06-12
Investigation Of Friede
On Fire Alarm Deals
Still Open, Young Says


Investigation by the Commission.
ers into the relations between for.
mer Superintendent Of Fire Alarms
Herbert A. Friede and the Gamewell
Co. "is not closed" Commissions
John Russell Young said today.
His statement followed publica-
ton of letters said to have beer
taken from the Gamewen files by
the Department Of Justice in con-
nection with the recent indictment
of the Massachusetts, company on
monopoly charges.
The letters, among other things
covered the interest Of the COM
pany in landing Mr.. Friede his job
here in 1888 and, since that time
the drafting OF specifications for fire
alarm equipment here so that NO
other company could bid success
fully.
Photostatic Copies Received.
Mr.. Young admitted that the
Commissioners had been furnished
photostatic copies of the letters by
the Justice Department last fall.
He said Mr.. Friede had been
called to explain them, and added
that MIR. Friede's reply did not
satisfy him personally.
The Commissioner said the let
ters had been studied by Corpora
ton Counsel Vernon E. West. Mr.
West, he added, said that while
Mr.. Friede may have been "indis-
crete" there was nothing in the
letters to warrant legal action.
Murphy Now Heads System.
Mr.. Friede, now superintendent OF
city communica tions, Is an employe
9of the District Electrical Depart
ment. He comes under the admin
istrative control OF Highway Direc-
tor n. G. Whitehurst and Engineer
Commissioner Gordon r. Young.
Last January /, the Commission
ers transferred control of the fire
alarm system operation from Mr..
Friede to Fire Chief Clement Muir
ply after bitter differences behind
the scenes between the two men.
Six weeks later the city heads
transferred from Mr.. Friede to Chief
Murphy the maintenance RESPONSE
bilities of the alarm system. At
that time they also removed from
the former superintendent of fire
alarms any responsibility over con-
tracts and specifications for fire
alarm equipment purchase. AS a
part of the same order Capt. White
hurst and Budget Officer Walter L.
Fowler were directed to study and
classify Mr.. Friede's reduced re-
sponsibilities for purposesaof salary
Salary Cut Recommended.
Last Thursday Capt. Whitehurst
and Mr.. Fowler recommended that
Mr.. Friede's present job be clasis-
fed as a Pa. This would be an
annual salary loss to Mr.. Friede OF
about $1,000 from his present P-5
classification. No action has yet
been taken on this recommendation
At his Office today. Mr.. Friede re-
fused to comment, except on one OF
his published letters.
This was a letter purportedly writ
ten by Mr.. Friede on April 8, 1884
to A. r. Welton, district manager
for Gamewell touching on a. pro.
posed $4,000 purchase of centra
Office equipment.
Letter Is Quoted.
The letter read, in part:
Gee, I'm pleased with the way
things are shaping up. I must write
these specifications air-tight, ano
also in such a way as not to give
anybody else chance To-
The letter concluded: >..
LET me hear from you at once
Your pal, Friede." ....
Mr.. Friede pointed out that the
letter was typewriter and contained
no signature.
He added that there were pencileo
notations on the letter which were
not in his handwriting.
Asked If he had written the letter
Mr.. Friede replied:
IT don't remember it. Twelve OF
Is years is long time ago"
Both Mr.. Friede and the Commis-
sioners denied published report
that they had directed him not tc
discuss the case.