Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-03-16
of, and after his resignation the assessment was


put up TO $3.50 per foot.
Mr.. Shepherd never heard of such thing.
MIR. Coonbs.-I don't know only from rumoTs.
Mir. Shepherd believe the whole tdiuc = a
lie out of the whole cloth. and l hope the com
mittee will have Mr.. olmSteSd summon Il.
THE plan for the Tiber creek improvement
was laid before the committee by Mr.. Shep-
herd. IL proposes TO change the course of the
Tibsr by constructing sewer from the arch on
Indiana avenue up LIST street west 20 ID, along ID
TO North Capitol street, up North Capitol to II j..
along 10 list street east, nj up lat street east
to Boundary, with lateral sewers running into
1t from the streets crossing those.
Witness took an active part in the bin for a
new government before the Senate two years
ago; that bill made
BOTH HOUSES OF THE DISTRICT LEGISLATURES
ELECTIVE.
Q.-Did not you aud other gentlemen take an
active part in having that bill changed in che
House of Representatives?
Judge Poland-oh, we'll, that has nothing TO
10 with the case.
Mr.. Sbepherd.-I should be very happy TO
give the information, sir, If the commit will
allow me. Hon. b. e. Cook was the man who
struck ont the elective part, and he announced
il boldly that he would not entail an irrespon-
sihle government on this District.
Witness resumed-The men employed by the
board IN charge OF different branches. Mr..
Oertly, Mr.. Forsyth, Mr.. Meede, Mr.. Chase and
Gen. Ballock were capable men; the board had
purchased quite lot of curb and was now
making arrangements for the purchase of a lot
of drain pipe; the treasurer Of the board gives
bond in the sum of So, 000
OFF dishonest men were appointed on the
board, what security would We have that they
would not steal?
Aft dishonest men should be appointed, no
amount OF security or restrictions would pre-
vent stealing, at least that is my opinion, and
the experience OF the past justihes il.
o. suppose the members of the Board of
Public Works are not individually worth
81 900 eco?
Mr.. Sherherd.-I believe Gov. Cooke and
myself could nearly make mp the amount.
Q-What is the value of your real estate?
About half a million of dollars, sir.
q. What is its assessed value?
A.-About $500 900.
Judge Poland.-Oh, well, that Is a subject we
have nothing to do with; that is none OF our
business.
Mr.. Shepherd.-I should be very glad, sir. to
tell them how | made it too; am worth less on
account of being member OF the Board of
Public Works, as the loss of time from my
business has been much since holding the po-
sitOn; never required contractors TO buy ma
terial from the Board of Public Works, except
drain pipes,
By Mr.. Crane:-witness believed that in the
center of the city the streets should have nice
smooth pavements; streets Oh the outskirts
shCud be macadamiZed;
THE GRADING OF STREET
had been pending in the city councils on the
petition Of Mr.. Ray and others; when the board
came in power it was decided to lower the street
according to the original grade; it cost witness
great improvement he paid it willingly; there
has been no intention on the part OF the board
10 withhold anything; If they had ommitted
anything from the lists they would correct the
errors; we are all human and might make mis-
takes; Mr.. Clephane was his own bOndsman, and
perfectly good for so 600 or so, 001 the board
awarded the contract for furnishing curb to
Sam'l Strong; some of it furnished was not up TO
the standard, and it was rejected; the wood pave
ments on 18th and 18th streets cost 50 per square
yard; is not stakeholder in any paving COM
paRy; was stakeholder in the Metropolis Paw
ing company and the Portland company and
sold out of both shortly after he was appointed
q member of the Board of Public Works; Mr.
Young held stock himself in one of the compa-
MES; the board has not any grade books OF
pennsylvania avenue; no record OF grades was
kept when the wood pavement waslafd betwc IN
LIST and 10Th sts., as this was done by the com
mission,
Q.-Mr. Shepherd, did you make any bets on
the result OF the last election? Laughter. and
cries OF ''Oh, that won't do!''l
Gen. Chipman.-You might as well ask him
how many drinks he took that day.
The committee decided such a question was
not admissible.
Witness resumed:-The board had power to
condemn an alley or open an alley; thousands of
laboriDg men are out OF employment in this
District on account of this investigation, and
the business interests and real estate operations
are well-nigh paralyZed by the course OF the OBJ
structiOnsts, few OF whom have any interest in
the District; did not believe there were eight
habtable rooms in the City Eaii; would like to
have the committee &C tnere and examine it;
also the canal :.ru f street Improvement
Q.-Why is il you award the contract for one
or two squares, and then continue il on?
A.-You are not a taxpayer, and we do not
Mr.. Chandler.~Ask your questions, Mr.
Crane, and don't be attempting to testify your
self. You are assuming certain premises your
self, and then putting the questions to witness
Witness resumed:-Never visited Mr.. Tweed
In New York; "never saw Mr.. Tweed in my
iife."
Judge Poland.-Seen his picture? Laugh
Answer-Yes sir
Qnestion.-why did you give certain work in
the 9th ward to Daniel Connolly?
Answer.-Do you refer to the werk in which
YOU were interested with Eslin, when you were
Water Registrar?
Mir. Crane.-I was not interested with any
one.
Mr.. Shepherd understood so.
Mr.. Crane here presented two blank con-
tracts, one for New York and one for the Dis
trict.
Gen. Chipman.-wel, what is the object OF
this?
Mr.. Crane.-I want to show that this District
Government is an exact copy of the New York
Tammany government, only it has not been
Mr.. Shepherd to crane.-Ifit were not for the
presence of the committee i should like the
privilege Of calling you liar.
Mr.. Crane.-Well, it would not alarm me
much.
Mr.. Shepherd.-NO, 1 suppose not; you are
used to being called one.
Odd you ever make use of the expression
that you would make the opponents OF the
81 ,OO0 eco loan "Git up and git?''
Al don't know; if did 1 think it very
sensible expression.
MIR. Eldridge.-What was your question?
Mr. Crane.-I want to know if he said he
weald make the opponents of the si,Ooo,oOO
"Git up and git"
Mr.. EldIidge.-That is a technical term.
Laughter.
MIR. Chandler said he would like to defer the
cross examination OF MIR. Shepherd until after
the memoralists should close their case.
Mr.. Green said he supposed they could close
next week.
General Chapman said the committee must
have two days next week for the consideration
of general District business, and he thought the
memorialsts should be required to close ne X
week, excluding those two days. The material
interests of the District were suffering on ac-
count Of this investigation, aud some time for
closing it should be fixed upon.
The committee ordered that the memorialists
close their side of the case next week. and A. al
hereafSeT but one counsel should examine eacl
witness.
Mr.. Green submitted the following
LETTER FROM Mr.. sHBPRERD:
BoAkD OF PUBLIC WORKS,
WASHINGTON, March 4, lG {
Mr.. SaniIel L. Phillips, WasAinstoa. ID. e:
SIR In reply to questions In letter Of this Dat.
from II. J; n. Crane submit the following On
Question ]. The number of men employed in VIA,
ever capacity, whether - surveyors, engineore
clerks, superintendents Of days work or contrac
work Or messenEers By the Beard Of Public Work