Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-03-30
TIE DISTRICT GOVERNMENT RVEsTIGsTI0a
Pr cceedinss Before the House Com
mittee To day.

Cn3rges against lDe Board OF Pubic WORKS and
the new District government was resumed this
morning before the House Committee on the
District of Columbia.
MIR Coombs read
PETITION,
which lie presented on behalf of the memorial
lists, praying that George w. Reed, w. W. Moore
and Jesse b. Wilson, with assistants, be allowed
TO examine the books, contracts, Sc, of the
Board Of Public Works, and report to the com
mittee the result of the investigation.
At the suggestion of Judge Poland the consid-
Grafton of the petition was deferred until ali the
members of the committee were present.
"EXPRRr'' HARDNESS ON THE STAND.
John Z. HGrkRess, sworn and examined by Mr.
Green:-ls an architect and measurer OF build
the Capitol and Patent Office; the work done Oh
the canal by Evans * Teemyer differs very
materially from the specifications OF the CON
tract; (witness here explained at length in what
particulars the work differs from the plan in
tended 10 be carried out by General Michler;D
had the piles been driven down TO low water
mark and the ossties and flooring pat down
according t. contract It would have cost about
y per cent. more; had examined the eastern anu
western sections of the canal; the eastern end is
but little better than IL was before; some Of the
walls were repaired and some were not the james
creek canal is in a deplOrable condition, and
there is 10 arrange ment made for walls, and
earth Is falling from the banks into the canal;
the work on the western end has no value at all.
except the material; witness was disposed TO
allow about CO.. per cent. on price OF contract
Tor work done on the eastern end OF canal
on the canal under Mayor I.enox, twenty wears
ago. and knew all about the foundations, which
were then sound; the canal was dredged from
end TO end, under direction OF witness; witness
had made inquiries in regard 10 the relative cost
OF pipe ard brick sewers; the cost of bringing
sewer pipe here from New York, laying IL, BE.
would be increased abou 33J5 per cent; IL inch
pipe would cost, laid, 81 per foot, 24-inch pipe
81, and 30-inch pipe ST per foot.
Inc witness then went on to read from paper
me price or brick work sewers, when Mr..
chandler objected, saying. that the witness
could not go TO city bricklayers tor his data.
The committee could summon these persons
but it was not competent for Mr.. Hardness to
read their statements.
Dir. Hardness said he had fully investigated
the subject, and could swear to the statements
he read.
The committee allowed him to proceed
The Finch earthen pipe laid costs % per cent.
more than brick work of the same dimensions
and ls-inch earthen pipe lG9 per cent. more than
brick sewer OF the same size; don't know OF
any members OF the Board of Public Works
interfering to prevent the passage of witness
bill in the District legislature providing that all
sewers over is inches in diameter be made OF
brick.
Cross examined by Mr.. Chandler:-Two con.
tracts were made with Teemyer 81 Co.-one on
the 10Th OF November, 1870, and the other on
the 12th OF April, ISL; have read Mr.. Mullet's
report, in which he states that the construction
of the walls of the canal is a failure: understand
the Board of Public Works paid for the work.
By Nr. Coombs:-If the work had been dona
as intended by Gen. Michler it would have been
much better; have nothing to say about the
grade of New York avenue, because there
seemed TO be 10 grade yet decided upon.
EXPERT" sBvERsoNs ESTIMATE FOR s'RE-
STORING" THE CANAL.
b. SeeerS0n, recalled by the memoralists:-
Have made careful estimates OF the cost OF re-
opening the canal and doing the whole work
over; it would cost about $50 800 20 remove old
piles SCI, 200 TO restore the walls the total cost
for restoring the canal would be about SIS, 900.
"EXPERTs" FREDEEICHs AND GRANT.
y. NV
Mr.. COomhs Witness is an architect and civil
engineer; has assisted Capt. Grant in making
certain measurements; is employed by the gov
eminent in the Navy Department. Witness
said he had embodied the result of his investi
cations IN paper signed by himself and Capt
Grant az "eSperts," which Mr.. Coombs read
These "experts" estimate the expense of the
Iiber creek sewer, as far rs built, including
20 per cent. profit at sell 900, the estimate OF
the Board of Public Works being sS6O,12D. The
work, according TO these 'experts" Is very badly
done, and is not in accordance with the plans
The concrete pavement on PENNSYLVANIA ay-
eDue, from 18th to 18th streets, cost the city
S36,755.20. According to these "experts" thu
total cost was SS,Sii. leaving the contractors
profit OF SO. ,9l0yS. These experts" make the
contract price paid for all the concrete pave
mems laid in the city at al 2jS I7f more thar
the actual cost. The above is fair spc ciruep
of the statements of these model experts
who criticise all the work done under the di
rcctiOr Of the Board of Public Works both a.
TO character and cost. The readingof the state
mt nts OF Mr.. Frederichs and Capt Grant oc.
cupied over half an hour.
WHAT :" EXPERT" FRgDERfCHs KNOWS ABOUT
CONCRETE PAYMENTS.
Mr.. Chandler.-''Iousw swear ~ that statemel
do you, MIR. Frederichs ?'
Witness.-'sI do"
MIR. Chandler.-''W Who drew up that report -
Witness" Capt. A. Grant wrote part OF Il
and drew up the remainder"
Mr.. Chandler requested Mr.. Frederichs o.
specify the portions of the report drawn up by
himself and those parts written by Capt. Grant,
which the witness did.
Mr.. Chandler.-"What government work have
you ever superintended
Witness.-'fI superintendent some OF the work
on the deaf and dumb institute in this city, ais
some OF the work at the Naval Academy al
Annapolis. have also superintendent work on
cobble-stone and Belgian pavements"
Mr. Chandler.-"W When you and Capt. Grant
made Your estimate OF the cost of laying con
crete pavement, did you include any refining
prOcess?'
with cold tar"
Mr.. Chandler.-"Do You believe su cb a nave
ment would be durable?"
Witness--"I am not prepared to say ii would
my estimate does not include asphalt or con
template any refining process; if a pavement l.
and stone, think Ii would last"
The witness here described the way in which
he would lay concrete pavement, and SAID
such pavement would last about i've years on
Pennsylvania avenue, and would cost abour
By Mr.. Coombs:-The concrete pavement a.
INV Dedi DuInU Institute cost % cents, AND
is two and half OF three inches deep; thi,
included the grading
EXPERT" CAPT. A. GRANT RISES TO Ex
PLAIN.
Capt. 4. Groat recalled, and examined by M
Coombs SO Our report'' is prettyfull, and needs
but little explanations; witness desired 70 m AZ.
an explanation in regard to John NJ. Morris
s.ateneht relative to the petition affecting North
Capltoi street, but Judge Poland said the com
mlttee must confine the investigation within
proper limits. '-'"
Mr.. Chandier.-"Do 1 understand that the
memorialsts now have in all their evidence p,
MI. Green.-"I have copies of contracts on.
tered into by the Board Of Public Works with
John .. Evans, president of the w ashinetop AS
phalt Paving Company, which desire TO sab
NIT. Some Of the Dor DIS are not sufficient. and
are not approved" Mr.. Green then read mr.
uons OF the contracts.
Mr.. Coombs again referred to the petitiop for
an examination Of the books and contracts of
the Board Of Public Works by the commiss,on
named above, but Judge Poland said the COM
mlttee had better not consider the petition untIl
full meeting can be had.
MI. Crane said the statement of the Board of
Public Works to the COMMITTEES does not incl l,ie
everything done by them, and Ii INCOMPLETE
Mr.. Eldridge said the statement of the b ,a-d
was an abstract. Their work had been summed
up as briefly and Complementary Is possible.
MI. Crane.-"According TO the statement fur
nished this committee by the Board of Puh;ic
works. the Affairs OF the District are in a A mr.