Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-01-31
THE DISTRICT GOVERNMENT IN.
VLSTEGATION.
Proceedings Before the District Com.
mittee of the Mouse To-day.

VESTEGATION.
Proceedings Before the District Com.
miftee of the Mouse To-day.
The investigation into the charges against the
Board of Public Works and the new government
of the District of Columbia under the memorial
presented by Mr.. Farnsworth in the House a few
days since, was commenced this morning before
the House Committee On the District OF Column
bia.
The memerialists present were b. Severson. j
H. Crane, DR.. Culver, the two Holmes, DIR. Ste
pheGSon, and a few others.
All the members of the District Committee
were present except Mr.. Poland, OF VT.
The petitioners on Monday forwarded to Mr.
Starkweather, chairman of the committee the
following list OF witnesses, all of whom were
summoned Matthew q. Emery, Maurice
Peachin, j. V. w. Vanderburgh. VIM. Il. Webb
Columbus Alexander, A. A. Wilson, Henry X.
Randall. John Lenthall, John F. Webb ana
Charles Mason.
At the same time they announced that if per
United they would commence with the eleventh
charge " That contracts involving enormous
cost have been made unawfuily before appro-
priatOns were made for carving them out''
The charges made-those in the Stevenson
memorial-haye been already published.
When Mr.. Starkweather called the committee
to order, he announced that every facility would
be given TO members of the press to report the
inv estigation, and that Off cal reporter would
be presen as IL was the desire of the committee
that full publicity should be given TO the investi
CATION.
Mr.. A. G. Riddle announced that he aopearpd
for the petitioners.
Mr.. VIM. +. Chandler announced that he ap-
reared on behalf of the District OF Columbia a.
the request of Gov. Cooke.
Mr.. Riddle announced that they would com
mence the investigation upon the eleventh
charge, and would offer for tile consideration OF
the committee some evidence touching the i'm
proyemeGt of street west of lIth street. He
quoted the act of the Sixty-eighth Council, APP
propriating $500 to grade and trim that street
and said that subsequently, controversy arose
between the Mayor and Board OF Public Works
in relation to the work. The Board of Public
Works claimed that they had the right to contro!
the streets. The board did take possession of +
street, and changed the grade thereof, made
excavations, and improved the street, at cost
OF $500 600.
Mr.. Eldridge-" Mr.. Riddle, it seems tc m
that you had better go on with the testimony
instead of taking up our time in making these
statements"
Mr.: Riddle.-''I am only stating what pro
pose 10 do"
Mr.. Riddle then quoted from the letter OF
Mayor Emery to the House of Delegates in re
lation to the improvement Of street, thereto
tore pubiished;) memorial from property
holders on r street against the Improvement
and the letter of Gov. Cooke heretofore pub-
lshed) in regard to the improvement.
Mr.. Eidridge.-"If you offer these i'm evil
dence, it is best TO read them. As your state
m, nts, not sworn to, are not evidence"
Mr.: Riddle then read the above papers, and
asked that ex-MayCr Emery be sworn.
NJ Z.
Rlddle:-The Appropriation of $500 was made
by the Councils TO trim street from 18th to 18th
witness was applied to by Mr.. A. X. Shepherd
10 issue an order to have the street trimmed, ~
that gentleman was building a row of houses
there. In conversation with Mr.. Shepherd wit
Less understood that 5000 would be ample to pay
for the improvement. Witness authorized his
secretary to draw an order for the work to be
done, witch he did. A few DAYS after witness
learned that the grade of the street was being
changed. Sent for the contractor and asked
l.N-u hos n,rth 49, ,l.o.
made. He replied by the Board OF Public
Works. Witness told the contractor if he was
working under the order OF the Board OF Public
Works, that he (witness) had nothing further to
do with it. Witness understood that when he
issued the order TO trim the street the side walk
and cutters should not be disturbed.
by Mr. Chandler:-Witness went out of Office
in June, ISL. There was no controversy on the
part OF witness with the Board OF Public Works
Mltness MADE no opposition to the Board OF
Public Works having control of the streets.
BY MIR. Eldridge:-Mr. Shepherd brought wit
ness the bill which passed the Council to grade
and trim street. The street as now finished
looks very well. Thought il was improved:
thought MIR. Shepherds houses we're made more
valuable by it. One-sixrh Of the expense fell
upon Mr.. Shepherd. Thought Mr.. Shepherd
had fourteen houses in his block there; thought
the present grade Of + street was not that con-
temPlated 10y Mr.. Randolph COyie when the city
was laid out.
Maurice Peachin, sworn and examined by Sir.
Riddle:-Witness was secretary to Mayor En-
cry. The date Of the order TOR trimming
street and the approval of the bill therefor was
the same. Witness made out the contract and
requisition upon the auditor The contract
was subsequently destroyed by the mayor who
said 1t was of no use as the work was being done
by the Board of Public Works.
BY Mr.. Roosevelt:-Witness, at the request OF
Mr.. anderburgh, the contractor. did not put
the price in, leaving it to be settled between the
contractor and the mayor.
j. Y. w. VdnderGurya sworn, and examined by
MT. Riddle:-Witness was the contractor to do
nnnlv na1
der an order from Mayor Emery; signed a con
tract with him. Had no other contract for that
work: Graded street, from 18th to Goth street.
Cut the street down between and 10 feet, be-
tween 18th and 10th streets; cut il down feet at
18th street; all the trees the street were taken
down. Got an order from MIR. Forsyth to change
the grade. Did not remember what he had been
paid for the work he had done on the street
Could not remember the amount Had other
contracts besides that. Witness cut 18th street
avenue.
By Mr. Chandler:-witness did all the work
under the direction of Mr.. Forsyth.
BY MT. Roosevelt Witness wanted % cents
from Mayor Emery per cubic yard for cutting
but the Mayor did not want to give but Is cents
BY Mr.. EldrIdge Had an understanding
pay for the work: Witness made no bargaiI
with Mr.. Shepherd about the work. The price
which witness received for the work was too
made dollar on the street. Had to carry the
surplus earth from street to the canal. Mt
Forsyth recommended that witness should re-
ceive 20 cents. The Board of Public Works
then so ordered. Received 40 cents per cubic
yard for the first two feet, on account of il heinz
nearly all gravel and could not be plowed.
Made application to the Board for 40 cents per
yard for the first two feet. ~
BY Mr.. Harmer The forty cents included
the hauling; he received no pay for filing Mr..
Forsyth gave witness directions to change the
grade. s' VIC
Mr.. Riddle requested the witness To mako an
estimate of the money he had received for the
work by tomorrow. W. 'A'
Genl Chapman suggested that the Board of
Public Works be called upon to furnish such in
formation. A "
Mr.. Chandler said the Board would furnish
all such Information If the gentlemen desired n
MI; Riddle then read a memorial from Drop-
the grade in the street. "
Mr.. Eldridge asked who that memorial was
signed by?
Mr.. Riddle replied he did not know. Did nor