Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-02-21
the DISTRICT GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATION.
Proceedings before the House Gem
m1ttee To-day.

m1ttee To-Day.
The Congressional investigation into the
charges against the Board Of Public Works and
the new District government was resumed this
morning before the House District Committee.
Joseph g. Carroll, sworn.-Is q member Of the
District Legislature, and was member or the
to select sites for new markets; that
committee to investigate in reference to the
purchase of the Savage square, that committee
was appointed by the Council; it consisted OF j.
VIM. b. Todd, sworn.-Has resided here forty
two years; in September last the Board of Pub
lie Works ordered the fOotwalks to be paved on
the east side OF
NORTH CAPITOL STREET,
in front of property owned by witnt "a; the work
was done, and about ten days afterwards il was
torn up and another put down, Of different ma
about 81 400; asked why it was that two pave
ments were put down In so short q time; saw the
two contractors; both said they were carrying
out their contracts, made with the Board OF
Public Works; witness owned about 400 front
feet on that square; had received q bill for the
first pavement, but had received none for the
second did not know if he would be called upon
to pay for the second pavement would resist the
payment for the second pavement, should he
receive bin for it; had never spoken with any
member Of the Board Of Public Works On the
subject.
BY Mr. Crane:-Did not think either sewers,
water or gas pipes had been laid before the
pavement was put down.
By Mr.. Chandler:-The work was not COM
laid was of cobble-stOne, and the second Of blue
gneiss; knew nothing Of the cost OF the change;
supposed the first material could be used else
where.
By Mr. Crane:-witness was present at the
meeting of the Board of Public Works when
Gen. Meigs, Capt. Patterson, DIR. Hall and
others addressed the board on the subject OF
IMPROVING THE CANAL;
all agreed that the canal shOuld he kent
Gov. Cooke stated that their arguments were
perfectly satisfactory to him, and he thought the
canal should be kept open; Sd street was in an
impossible condition; had been 90 for three
months.
Question by Mr.. Crane.-From what you have
seen, Mr.. Todd, do you think the improvements
justice to the taxpayers?
Mr.. Chandler.-Stop q minute. Now, Mr..
Chairman, 1 submit that the opinions Of the
authors OF this investigation are not evidence.
Judge Poland-The witness can state to what
improvements he objects, and why he objects.
Witness resumed:-Thought the work Of I'LL
ing up the canal was great blundsr, and inju-
BY Gen. ChiPnan:-would prefer to return
THE OLD FORM OF GOVERNMENT
which we had here; witness thought the people
were to be inundated with q debt; did not re-
member the cost Of the wood pavement on Penn
sylvania avenue; thought work done by the
Board OF Public Works cost more than it did
under the old government; knew nothing positive
about prices paid by the Board Of Public Works;
but few streets were paved under the old cor
Poration; witness was in favor Of improvements,
but not IN favor Of reckless extravaganza; con-
sidered Is cents per yard a fair price for grad
ing; thought the people were burdened BY the
enormous debt being piled up;
THE RATE OF TAXATION
last year was S170; the year previous it was
sl.s0, with discount of for prompt payment,
which reduced it to about sl.7O; under the old
corporation taxpayers, paid all for special i'm
have to pay the interest on these loans; thought
the debt would be greater than city Of the size
and wealth of this could bear.
Mr.. Roosevelt said he saw a state ment In tie
Patriot that the rate Of taxation for the present
year would be $3.50. He inquired OF the witness
II that was correct.
Al do not know.
MIR. Crane said he had examined it and the
rate OF taxation must be that to pay the interest
on the debt, &c.
Gen. Chapman inquired If that paper was in
evidence.
Mr.. Crane replied it was not.
=, Gen. Chapman suggested that they con6ne
themselves to the evidence and proceed in q
proper manner.
" no testified that he was large property holder:
desire to sell all he had did not feel disposed n
sacrifice any of his land; was getting satisfac-
tory prices fSr all the land which he was selling.
By Gen. Chapman Witness thought
THE VALUE OF THE OLD SECURITIES
was as great as the new ones; old registered
stock OF the corporation sold as high as s. cents.
as C5 cents; before the war registered 6s were
up to Sl04aS1.o5; thought it best to pay cash for
the work done; heard it stated that the new loan
was sold abroad; also heard 1t stated that it was
represented there that the loan vas authorized
BY the United States government.
Mr. Crane.-DO you, think, Mr.. Todd, that
the established wealth Of the house Of DAY Cooke
OF the District-would cause the bonds to be sold
mere readily?
A.-Oh! certainly.
Judge Peland-,t seems 30 me, Mr.. Chair
man, that we are departing from all established
rules by proceeding In this mannef.
Witness resumed Thought portion of the
North Capitol street pavement was ordered by
the old corporation.
Few YORK AVENUE
was commenced on the Let Of November; after
the grade was established . change Was made,
change in the grade had cost witness about siO0:
had never complained about Il to any one:
thought the work was being done for the best:
wines q would have made the Improvement just
we're benefit to his property; was only annoyed
that the grade was not fixed at first e Il Il n
present; witness made up his mind that he was
the Governor and Board Of Public works had
made some mistakes, he thought, but all were
liable to mistakes; he believed, however, that
t s mistake on New York avenue was made BY
OF OF fnelic Works; believed the board did ali
things for the best; did not believe the board
made the change in the grade for the purpOse of
Putt1ng property olde1 to expense; witness
thought his property was made more valuable
by the change.
DR.. Daniel NcFdrldnd sworn-Resides an Nav
York avenue; when the work was Commence
there the grade was raised; he appealed In tfs
vice president Of the board to examine the vcrS
and change II, as 1t would be Injurious 10 the
property; subsequently saw Mr.. Shepherd. NJ
Forsyth and Mr.. Greene in consultatiea: vitness
went with them, and they determined TO restore
the grade to its original position, as asked NV
the witness; knew nothing about payinR the ex.
pense Of the changes.
jos. @. g. Kennedy sworn.-Resideso on II street.
between 18th And 18th; the changes in the arada
on New York avenue had been the occasion of
lnconSe0aence 30 witness; thought it vas dan
eeroos 20 have the street in that cOnd Stoa as IN
case OF IRE, engines could not have rot 20 the
place; naafertal was piled up around there for
TIE CONCRETE MACHINE
on rev Hogk avenue; In January the pavement
we taken uP without notice; witness thonehf
there had been recklsss indifference 20 the oom-
lort OF the INHABITANTS In that section; tho eolce
were very Saceae9 In not having lights pi0osd
% me excovaeeoos In the strset1; tkouRkt -
Of his paEt o. the town IVES Wofse shs9
Any otnG; cord voee fog the eoncrete nanhfno
b H. Chaadlsc-The concrete maeAir>
GoSid ssve Seea pat q vacant l3 On b tfset;
the sGeet wAa magni1ea, did not think be couid
would hare occasoHed Srt iitfis nSSn1snSsnS
" II had han -, - - ~