MAYOR IN TROUBLE

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 62, 6 December 1930, Page 25

MAYOR IN TROUBLE

Suspended by Court STORY OF FUR COAT In the days of the Empire, the office of Lord Mayor of Berlin ranked second only to the Prussian throne in point of prestige and social importance, observes a writer in the "New York Times." Recently a stern disciplinary court suspended the Lord Mayor, Dr. Gustav Boess, from office on charges of neglect of duty in connection with municipal scandals which have been coming to light during the past six mouths. The court’s action was unprecedented in the whole history of German administrative life.

The trouble began during the American trip of Dr. Boess. During his absence his opponents charged him with being implicated in what became known as the “Sklarek Scandal.” Revelations of the operations of the brothers Sklarek proceeded apace, it being established that they had let the city in for a loss of 10.000.000 marks. In fact, at the present time, the city administration is paralysed, with the doctor aud one councillor suspended, and four others under a eloud which is taking the form of extended leave of absence.

Ironically the storm centre of the upheaval is around a fur coat ordered by Frau Boess from the Sklarek firm and for which, when pressed by the doctor, the firm presented its bill, but for an absurdly low figure. The bill was for £5O and the coat was worth £2OO. Dr. Boess demanded a new bill, but neglected to see that it was sent in.

When the inquiry into the activities of the firm began the transaction was disclosed and Dr. Boess was asked to explain the reason for such liberal treatment. The incident looked bad, and Dr. Boess was judged “unfit for office.”