"CLAIM MAN ON RELIEF HAD $500 SAVED UP," Toronto Star. February 20, 1934. Page 34. ---- Remanded on Bail-Bondsman on Relief, Taxes Unpaid, Home Mortgaged ---- On complaint of Capt T. E. Heron of the civic welfare department, police last night arrested Giuseppe Battista, aged 34, contractor, on a charge of obtaining relief from the city under false pretences.
When Battista appeared in police court to-day, he was remanded for a week after bail of $1,000 had been arranged with some difficulty.
His bondsman was on relief, his 1932 and 1933 taxes were unpaid, and he had a $1,000 mortgage on his house.
"Outside of that everything is all right," remarked W. B. Horkins, K.C., counsel for accused.
Investigations completed by Capt. Heron are said to show that accused received eight city contracts since 1931, in which sums from $280 to $1.235 were involved.
Battista is alleged to have stated that he had no work for two years and no bank account for three years. However, welfare department officials contend Battista's bank account has been active and after the last city contract in Sept., 1933, claim it contained $500.
It is also alleged that Battista first obtained relief from the House of Industry in 1931 and that for a brief period in 1932 he was not on the lists. In the fall of 1932 he was again on relief and again in April, 1933, officials claim.
Investigation followed a statement at yesterday's meeting of city council by Con. Sam McBride, who raised objection to a contract being given Battista to build a lane running west from Linsmore Cres. to Greenwood Ave.
"This man was on relief and is still on relief," Con. McBride told council. "I have drawn the matter to the attention of the welfare department, and it is well in hand."
Battista first appeared on the relief lists in April, 1933, Captain Heron informed The Star to-day. He had been receiving direct relief from the House of Industry, and was taken over, when the present system was put into effect. On May 24, the official explained, Battista signed a statutory declaration before a J.P. swearing he had no means of support or money in the bank.
During succeeding months, Captain Heron said, two investigations were made, but each time both Battista and his wife signed statements that they had had no work for the past two years and no bank account for the past three years.
"I was able to prove," he continued, "that Battista has had a fairly active bank account since 1930 although I cannot find any balance at present. At one time there was $3,000 in it."
In 1931 Battista is said to have performed five contracts, several in 1932 and one in August, 1933, for $1,080. Even as late as last December, it is alleged, he carried out a contract for $300.
"The acceptance of these contracts made us suspicious," Captain Heron stated.
Explaining the system by which a family goes on civic relief, Captain Heron said an application was first made out by the indigent, then a statutory declaration was signed by the applicant before a justice of the peace, in which everything concerning the applicant was explained and sworn to.
If it is an urgent case, a divisional inspector is sent to the applicant's home the same day. No relief is given until a personal inspection is made in the home. In ordinary cases the inspector calls the following day. Should this inspector find every- thing satisfactory, relief vouchers are issued the next day.
