Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-02-05

the city engineers that you could through a
board OF experts?
Al could.
Witness then explained his calculations. The
stonework cost 80 cents per square yard, sand
s225 per cubic yard, tar or cents per gallon.
The labor of putting it down would not exceed
% cents per yard.
BY Mr.. Harmer-The grade on the street wa.
provided for separately. The Board of Public
Works arranged prices TO suit themselves: con
tracts were not awarded here like other places
BY Mr.. Chipman.-Did not know if the con
tractors were obliged TO keep the pavement in
order Tor a certain time; had seen Them tearing
up the pavement in front of Senator ColiaN's
and Gen. Grants house; the concrete pavement
in front of the Arlington was the best one he
ever saw laid; did not know what the city paid
Tor II; did not believe any concrete pavem snt
would stand; thought wood pavementS the best
II properly put together: had seen good wood
payements IN New York; did not remember the
street where he saw them.
BY Mr. Harmer-Had laid wood pavementS;
c0uld lay good wood paveInents at S3 per yard.
Nicholson pavement could be laid for less.
o. Captain. can YOU describe the wood pave
ment III New York, 80 can remember il? 1 do
stood.
A. j cannot. Concrete pavement did NOT COS,
as much wood.
BY Mr.. Williams Laid the pavement in south
A street, Capitol Hill; did not remember the
cost of it; could be laid at - per yard.
q. How does it happen that the cost TO property
holders there is Sl5 per front foot.
A. The grading and parking increased the
cost OF whole pavement, grading, &c dill not
know what the Board OF Public Works paid for
grading now; they calculated for pavement in
one item and the grading in another.
Nr. Green read the following
PETITION OF TEE NEaoRIALIsTs:
,WASnINGIoN ID. e., February 5th. 1872 To n.
HoTs. Gf ReprsSsntafires Genjitmen: The under
sjgned counsel for the subscribers to the memorial
lives res pee, fully request that r. NJ Latrohe e
gln,er; = Rardol oh, CHIEF engineer & -. x X
tH y pnn NQV DAr rim ant A
Grant, and f G Fri dericks, may be appointed
GEs f IN the sad Il onm GHam since grad
dSI rav,ng. sewsTing, Changing of gr, des &c &c
cations OF the memorial above refer TO- and re-
.aI, t. the committee on or before the 2oh
have access in making their examinsti N to tn
plsi 5 sEeo,fcaiions bo ks apd papers of the Boar
o6nmtee M B far,heF f Fg ,s shss th
furnish on or nefOTe tbs 18Th inst statement of IN
month since May ISL With their ar
also 20 furnish list of al work ordered BY tn
verbal and whether contract was made in writIng
with tie names of persons ordered to do the work
mad aso 70 furnish copies Of all orders that have
been issued ty he board, and If the record of the
Rry e GREEN,
J CooMBS,
Air. Chandler, on the part of the District gov
eminent said he was perfectly willing 10 tur-
nish all the information called for by the gentle
men. He would like to furnish il SO as to brinc
the investigation TO a close as soon as possible.
Mr.. Green thought II Indispensable that com
the work.
Mr.. Harmer.-You could bring
EXPERTS
here 10 give evidence.
Mr.. EldTidge-I don't think we have any
power 10 appoint a board Of experts.
Mr.: STANDARDIZATION will have no difficulty
IN bringing experts here.
MT. Elurhpe,-We are appOint, AZ no Uonsf
Of Representatives to make this investigation
ourselves, and o. course We have no authority b.
delegate that authority to any one else,
Mr.. Starkweather.-Iw will state to the memor-
ialists that any witnesses they want, be they ex-
perts or not, will have them summoned
Mr. Chandier.-This is an investigation into
tbe actions OF an organized government created
by Congress. L suggest as fair and REASONABLE.
with desire to do every thing fair in nv powe,
that the memorialists call our attention TO any
specific matter in which they believe fraud Ina,
been carried on and give US a chance to plead
thereto. challenge the scrutiny both of the
memorialists and the committee to any and all
weIk zone by the District government. We vii.
furnish all the information as to cost, &c ana
then If needed additional testimony in regard
thereto can be taken. l am sure if this plan i
followed the committee will have no difficulty
In arriving at a conclusion.
Mr.. Starkweather said the committee coulc
not appoint board of experts, As they had no
right TO do so; but the memorialists conld have
these experts summoned; their attention could
lie called to particular work, and the committee
would he glad to hear their testimony. The CITY
would furnish the contract prices, what the
work cost, &c, and the petitioners could then
offer the testimony of experts to contradict IT,
The committee desired to have every light on
the subject, and would give every facility to ali
parties.
Mr.. Green said they could not get the EXPERTS
to volunteer to 60 and examine the work. unless
the committee authorized them to do so, as a
board.
Mr.. Chandler said, in response TO the reouest
r. Riddle. 10 bal is
complete list OF the contracts and he laid before
the committee the following
LETTER OF Mr.. SHEPHERD:
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS. Dis riot of Columbia
Washington, b Feb, 2, Is72~W'n. i tSaaSte,
ESQ ,CovHeitor The District of Coismbia:-Sir: '
submit herewith detailed statement of the en- neer
relative to contracts and w.rk ordered by this board
Net amount Of contracts let under Of legislative
assembly, approved August II, 1871,
Net amount of c, niracts made aud work
ordered since thai time and NJ Ia present
date, amounting to...-..-...-..--.....6 l0,S25 S.
sasi.s;s Il
Statement OF expenditures on streets and avenues,
per statement of Superintendent of
Street. enclosed, amounting sl63,s5 o.
state ment OF eN per ditures upon roads and
D. Carpenter, second assistant engi-
n.er, enclosed, amounting t0............ 99lO5 o.
This statement does not include the following
e as rss agthOG ~ b acts Of Congress
SPECIFIC appropriations were made by District egis
leturc, VIZ:
/. Improvement Of street, W. from New York
avenue to Ia street lOj- So 90
2. Improve ment of 9TH street south, from
street south TO the ...... l03 Is0 G.
;. Improvement of the Washington canal
and James creek branch, under act OF
Congress approved July Is, 1s70........ le 900 %
The term met amount" used I'm this statement l.
the two thirds proportion of improvements, payable
out OF the general fuBd by the board-the remaining
one-thlrd being paid by special assessments on the
property beAefitted. Very respectfully,
ALEX r. SHEPHERD, Vice President.
Mr.! Grant said it would be impossible for him
or any other engineer to get all the points in
less than two weeks. He thought it would be
well to
HAVE THE WORK TORN UP
and examined; saw bad work being done on l4th
street.
Mr.. Green said il there was any objection to
the number of the board of experts, a smaller
number would answer the purpose or the pc
titioners.
Mr., Roosevelt.--winn not one expert be enough?
We have no authority to transfer our work to
any one. 81
Mr.. Chandler don't object to any scrutiny;
but I think il experts are to be sent out, we
should have an opportunity Of showing what we
have done, and the reasons for il. -
A. Grant, should investigate particularly
Pennsylvania street, and some other streets;
also the arches at Tiber Creek
r ChAn<1lap-Nank