Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-02-28
the DISTRICT GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATION
Proceedings before the House Com.
mfttee To-day.

The Congressional invest. CATION into the
charges against the Board of Public Works and
the new District government was resumed this
District of Columbia.
Mr.. Riddle, who has been absent since the
frst two or three days OF the investigation, re-
appeared tins mordng, but took little part in
conducting the examination.
Jos. L. Pearson sworn.-Printed portion of
THE TICKETS FOE THE LAST ELECTION;
printed those for special improvements, and
against Piedmont railroad; did the printing for
Gibson & Bro; did not know who employed
Gibson & Bro, who paid them; printed
40 900 Of one set and 40 900 of another; printed
O'Clock the next morning; received pay only for
the press work and cutting; did not furnish the
paper or the composition did printing for all
the democratic candidates.
BY Mr. Eldridge:-Printed tickets for demo-
Gratis in imitation Of those used by the republi-
cans; these were called counterfeit tickets; did
not know the color of the anti-loan tickets; was
employed TO PRINT the democratic tickets by
VIM Dickson, democratic candidate in the 18th
strict.
BY Mr.. Crebs:-Thought sl.5o per thousand
fair price for the tickets; did not know what.
price Mr.. Gibson received; S00, 900 tickets were
printed by all the offices within twenty hours.
M. Cotton inquired as to the object of this
Mr.. Green said he desired to show that these
tickets were paid for by the District Govern
Dent.
Nen Cnlpmdn inquirer Oh Cnantler III
he had been requested to furnish the cost of
printing the tickets?
Mr.. Chandler replied that he had been called
upon for all the printing bills and had furnished
them.
Mr.. Green said that Mr.. Gibson, the witness
whom they wanted, and who printed the tickets,
Mr.. Chandler said Mr.. Gibson sat here pa
tiently all day yesterday. He was printer,
and had his own own business 10 attend to.
TEE CHRONICLE BILLS.
John NJ. Norris. swOrD:-Resdes at 210 A street
southeast; is editor and of the prOprietOrs of
the Washington Chronicle; did adve, Using for
the District government. WITNESS here pro-
duced list of the bills which have been paid
Did not remember the exact total amount;
thought the bills amounted to about SIC 900 for
advertising and S25 600 for job work; did most of
the JOB work for the legislature, Board of Public
Works, and executive department, including
registration lists, legislative Journal, &c; re-
ceived 81, 1913 80 for printing advertisements for
the loan; the total amount of printing for the
legislative department amounted to ST. $685. the
printing of the laws cost something over $500;
that was under special contract; printed some
additional copies for the legislature; had current
rates for printing; generally charged as near
those rates as possible; the journals were not
printed by contract; the laws wonld have cost
about $50 page II full rates had been charged.
travagant sum for advertising in one paper in
this little District Of Columbia?
Al do not think
Witness resumed Rates tor printing here
are considerably
HIGHER THAN IN OTHER CITIES;
IN Philadelphia and Baltimore they get type set
for 80 and 10 cents per thousand; here We pay CO
cents per thousand; the Government Printing
once and Columbia Typographical Society
force us up to these prices; our rates are 10 per
cent higher than in Baltimore; the rates here
are higher than in any other city; could not
employ printer outside OF the union; witness
always loaded advertisements when possible: it
cost more to lead advertisements; made them
more conspicuous and more liable to be read:
always loaded advertisements unless some ar
raDgements to the contrary be made; set these
advertisements in the ordinary manner; Repsb-
IcdH generally charged more than the Chronicle;
THE STAR and Patriot charged a little less:
thought the District government got back more
than It spent for advertising in the increased
price for its loan; thought the unanimity of the
press here did much to aid the Governor to dis
pose OF that lean at a high price; thought it a
wise thing to advertise.
Question by MIR. Eldrdge Was the adyer-
tisement published in the CITIZEN?
A.-The Citizen persisted before the election:
witness thought the advertisements increased
his zeal for the loan; generally took care of his
friends; was an advocate of the loan before he
received any Of the advertisements.
Q.-Suppose the editors convictions were op-
posite, should he say anything against his con-
victions on account OF having the advertise
ments?
ALE should not.
By Mr.. Green Public advertisements were
generally different from advertisements OF pri.
vate individuals; would take adverts nents for
less at some seasons OF the year; public adver-
tisements are ordered by law, and proprietors
in; with private individuals different arrange
ments we're generally made; would have taken
something less rather than lose the advertise
ments Of the District government
By Mr.. Roosevelt:-Charged three or four diff
feren rates; the charges to the District govern
ment depended somewhat upon the size Of the
enlightenment and the season OF the year; for
small ads. full rates were charged; ii full rates
had been charged for the loan 1t would have
amounted to over 312 900; charged something
toll 10. q n "a
edition.
By Mr.. Riddle There was
NO UNDERSTANDING
between the Chronicle, Republican, and STAR
about dividing profits derived from the Dis
trict government advertisements; in one instance
member of the Legislature had claim against
ness had written agreement binding him 1.-THE
witness) to pay "a 900 out Of q certain appro-
priation made for the Chroaiele witness owed
this member that sum, on account of such
member having put that amount in the Chroai-
Gle when witness purchased it; the appropriation
was in payment Of the regular bills; the party
70 whom witness owed the money was Mr.. r. A.
Davis n q member of the Legislature; did not
make any agreement with Mr.. Hulse to pay
him any money on condition that he (Hufse)
would give witness the legislative printing ITO
Mr.. Crane:l "and you knew no such agreement
was made when you made the statement last
summer in the Citizen"
BY Mr.. Roosevelt Has never been interested
In any contract under the District government:
no member Of the Board of Public works NO
member Of the legislature, and no public officer
was interested In the Chronicle bought the
Chronicle one year ago last January
BY MT. Crebs:-What price did YOU nav for it9
MI Morris--Is that necessary to this inyesti
cation? 49, S'''-
Mr. Crebs.-I will not insist upon An answer.
Witness resumed:-The circulation OF the
Chronicle was as large any OF the morning
papers; thought the EVENING STAR exceeded if'
Question by Mr.. Crebs.-What Is your circu-
latiOn?
Mr.. Morris.-Is that proper question?
Mr.. RoOsevelt.-I would suggest to the COM
mittee that is very delicate subject to q news
paper man.
Mr.. Harner thought the question an improper
one, q 1t affected the private interests OF the
witness. ~
Mr.. Crebs did not insist upon the ouestion.
Witness resumed Tho two morning papers
having the largest circulation were the GkroricI.
ana Republican; THE EVENING SrAp had a
larger circulation than either.
by GenefA Chipman-Merchants And busi.
ness men here advertised in different paners A.
the same time; some advertise in ali tfe is,iv
and al the Sunday papers, thought the loan
was negotiated above 80 per cent.
Mr. Chandler said the loan was negotiated at
about par In currency; the rate Of interest On If
Is per cent. in gold; bonds under the bin ratj-
ned by the people have never been issued; the
pondslust Issued are under the rst law; the Gov
efnor has declared that there Is no intention of Ia
suing the second loan Authorized no tho n.o.ss