Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-02-19
1RE DISTRICT GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATION
Proceedings Before the House Com.
mfttee Today.


The Congressional investigation into the
charges against the Board of Public Works and
the new District government was resumed thi.
morning before the House Committee on the
In opening the case this morning, Mr.. Stark
weather, chairman of the committee, announced
that he was exceedingly anxious to make al
practicable progress with the examination, and
II possible, to finish the hearing Of one side this
week.
Mr.. Green, for the memorialists, replied thai
it was his desire to do too.
THE IRREPREssIBLE SEvERsoN.
b. Sererfon lot canal causeway notoriety) re
called-He testified that the Missouri avenue
sewer was wholly inadequate; did not own prop
erty on the line OF the canal; had no private in
terest whatever; was working for the pubic good
wanted that distinctly understood. The witnes.
read calculation made by himself in relation
10 the canal, what should be done with 1t, SC.
all of which has been published and republished
anu stated his views to the committee there,
upon.
By Mr. Harmer The Missouri avenue sewer
was entirely inadequate for general drainage
in London all sewers had decline Of two feet
to the mile.
By Mr.. Sta-kweather:-witn thought the
canal should he kept open for commercial pur-
poses, as well as for drainage.
Q-How many years have YOU lived here?
Al have lived here Off and on for the pas,
Dwell, now, how many vessels have you
seen In the canal at any one time within the
past few years?
Al have seen as many as fifteen.
Ain the basin at 18th street
witness have been informed
MI Starkweather-Weli. never mind that
You have seen no vessels up in the canal within
the past few years?
A.-No. sir.
.Q-Whst have you been paid for work upon
the canal since 1856?
A.-Less than 5000.
Witness thought that masted vessels should
not be permitted to come int the canal, as he
was opposed to draw-bridges in a city;
to open the canal for $500, 900; thought $500 900
would do the work; did not know IL the celia :
OF the st. James Hotel were filed with W Ater
during the food of 1868.
Mir. Eldridge.-Do you think it possible to
drain this city so the canal would not overflow
with such q freshet as that OF 1868?
A.-The water has risen higher than at tina.
time. The object is to have the wafer flow of
As free as possible.
Mr.. Eldridge-Oh, well, understand the OBJ
jeet; am now inquiring about facts.
Q.-Have you ever known the tide in the river
here SO high as to cause cellars along the canal
to be filed with water?
Ayes, nv plan proposes to obviate all that
,;ate wtness tnen explained how It was to De %
by him at IL th street.
After the committee got through questioning
him Mr.. SeveIsOn
WANTED TO MAKE FURTHER STATEMENTS
as to his ideas, and proceeded to state the differ
,nce between draining Baltimore and this CITY.
Mr.. Green, counsel for the memorialists,
time-it being then 1l:3o-and he suggested to
Mr.. Severson that he submit his views to the
committee in writing.
Question by Mr.. Williams.-Mr. Severson, you
were employed by the old city government; why
is it they did not adopt your plans?
A.-They did.
Witness had not applied for any position under
the new government.
Bv MT Chandler Was a r.; VII anoinaer. 90 no
Is years Of age; in earlv life practced civil en-
gineering; was superintendent OF the Architec-
tural Iron Works at Philadelphia; had charge
OF the pattern department.; was employed on the
Erie canal; vas superintendent Of the iron
works; had been a pattern maker; came to
washington about 30 yesrs ago; was employed
Capitol; gave his attention to the canal at 6rst
In 1854 after everybody had failed in making
plan for its Improvement did not allow himself
10 nave III Will towards any body; was not hostile
to the Board of Public Works or the legislature:
had no personal feeling; while he was canal
commissioner collected the rents amounting to
about 81 goo quarter; accounted for the sum to
Mr.. Crane inquired what this had to with the
charges? They had brought no charges against
the OLD city government.
MI. Chandler.-Well, you have only been here
Is or 20 minutes, Mr.. Crane; so you don't know
much about the testi mony of this witness. Please
SIT down, and allow me 70 conduct the cross.ex-
Mr.. Crane.-Yes; but this is irrelevant.
'Crane2
Mr.. Crane.-We are afraid OF nothing, but
don't want all the time taken up.
Mr.. CHANDLER have not taken nm the time
However, will pass on to something else.
Witness fesumea:-Did not know the depth
rom the top OF the lock at nth street to the bot
TOM or the canal; witness expended less than
$4,000 on that Improvement; the revenue which
ne collected he paid into the bank, and took
certificate Of deposit.
RAfn nfn nlv1t ~
-Seyerson, the committee adjourned until to-mor-
row morning at 10 o'clock.