Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-03-25

Works is beyond calculation; when streets are
cut down the brick walls in front OF terraces
States had such good sidewalks as Washington
formerly had; they were the widest and best;
brick sidewalks were better than stone ones;
had heard much complaint about the Board OF
Public Works taking of sidewalks; made an
estimate OF the cost of improving one street al
prices fixed by the Board of Public Works.
there are 36ei acres OF streets in the city; wit
ness estimated for Massachusetts avenue:
thought il was five miles in length; at a ia n
average price for sewers, payements, Ne. the
cest OF improving that street would be ST.
toS.oUo, including ID per cent. estmat ted injury
TO property; the whole cost for improving that
av,nue for pavements, sewers and sidewalks
would be S1,326,SSo, exclusive OF the injury 20
property; had never seen the plan of the
board for the improvement of Massachu-
sets avenue; thought all work done in the
city was oyermeasurcd ten per cent; meas
ured Nj street; estimated il at six acres; the
cost OF the Improvement on that street over anG
above the contracts made by the commissioners
originally appointed for the Improvement wa
s3s,s3i 80, ane the property holders refused to
pay; the commissioners made contracts to i'm .
prove II at Slo6, 10, and the Board of Public
Works charged for improving it Si45, i0i SO; the
commissioners contracted for sewerage, man
holes and traps, at SIS, 934 and for paving and
grading the street So 500 10; the Board of alb
lie Works charged S2i e30.23 for sewers man
holes and traps, and SIN, 90 DC for paving and
grading it; it would cost Sl0s 49, 600 TO improve
all the streets in the city at the rates estim sted
by witness for Massachusetts, avenue.
BY Mr.. Chandler:-Did not know that the ad-
ditional SIS, S51.36 was for paving at eros
streets the width OF the sidewalks and around
the circle at Vermont avenue and, 18th street;
mad rot bought any property recently, and did
not intend to; sold property on Z street las,
July LOT 40 cents per foot IL he had il now could
not sell 1t for that; IL was assessed at so cents
per foot more than its cash value; il would not
bring 80 cents cash day; supposed some pro-
perry was assessed at less than its cash value;
never sold but one piece of property for cash
thought it right and proper TO tax bonds as per
sonal property; knew of instances where bonds
were sold because a tax was imposed upon them
by the District Legislature; had been Furnished
WIN Information by the District authorities
when he asked for it.
Question by Mr. Eldridge Would YOU be
wiring TO sell your property at its assessed
value?
Al did net come here to make a trade.
Witness resumed:-Was an Old M An now and
mas nothing to live on now but the income from
his property; ii he was young man would sell
it at Its assessed value.
Mr. Eldridge.-You say your property was as.
sesseG at its cash value under the old asses
meht?
Ayes, sir.
Q.-And you say that the emit on your
property now under the new assessment has
been increased SIS, COO.
Ayes, sir.
Mr.. Eldridge.-wen, / cannot well under
stand why you would not sell out to make 900
ITS full cash value before, and you were to sell 1t
&c Its assessment now you would make $55. 900
but you say you would not take the assessment
prices?
Witness resumed:-Has never been a specu
lator in property; OWNS nothing on Pennsy :
yania avenue; would not take $40 900 for his
pro perty at the corner of 9TH and streets; il l.
assessed at SIS 0CO; paid $40 $50 for it, receives
over 5000 per annum rent for that building,
could not tell the gross amount Of the assess
ment on bis property.
what his property is assessed at; was assessed al
over 500, GOO before, and Oser $50 900 now had
not been before the appeal board in reference to
his assessments; intended to go there was one OF
the I'M unctionsts; contributed money to prose
cute those proceedings; had condemned the
action Of the Board Vt Public Works: thought
they were perfectly reckless; did not tuink they
were as good as a pack OF thieves. (wItness
here became somewhat excited and created som.
laughter by his last answer, as he gave il with
some show OF feelng)
Mr.. Green said that Mr.. Ei.lrdIe had said
that he (GreenD had made
A TRADE AGAINST THE BOARD OF PUBLIC
WORKS,
because he (G.) could not get the plans and spe-
cifcatlons in regard to the canal.
the sort
Mr.. Green.-Oh, beg partlop sir: Mr. Cband.
Ter did.
Mr. Chandler deny the TRADE.
MT. Eidridge then reminded Mr.. Green that
be should be more careful before making such
charges against a member of the committee.
MIR. Green begged pardon for his statement
THE IRREPREssIBLE CRANE STICKS ToIT.
uon In regard TO the number Of men employed
6y the District government being larger tha'.
the majority for the 81, OO0, Oco, be received a.
evidence. am still of that opinion.
Mr.. Starkweather, to the Official reporter
Put that down as fact. Mr.. Crane gives it as
testimony.
Mr.. Eldridge then read from the Statement,
chants and mechanics had been Influenced to
vote for the loan by patronage, and asked him
If he believed that to be true.
Q.-You say the proprietors of fifteen news
papers, with their employes-iu all numbering
Soo-wsre influenced to vote tor the loan?
Q.-And 81 men employed by the fire depart.
ment, and 200 men controlled by HalIet Kill
bournls fund at So per head?
Ayes, sir.
=, Mr., Eldridge.-Now, Mr.. Crane, 10 YOU be-
heve IL Just to swear IN that way?
Mr.. Eldridge.-That's all.
Mr.. Starkweather.-DO YOU believe Mr.
Crane, that all these editors and ne wspaper EN-.
pioyes were any more corrupted, SO they could
not give an honest vote, than you were YOURSELF?
we'll Fans nnn,; 90; (After some hesitation,)
Mr.. Starkweather.-You believe, then, that
All these men on the newspapers were SO brow
oeaten ana biased that they could not give an
self? - ''"'
Mr.. Crane.-Yes, sir.
Mr.: Standardization say FIVE hundred
thirty forty.
Mr.. Crane.-Well, cannot now.
=, Mr.. arkweather-Suppose you name ten.
then. ''
Mr.. Crane.-Well could reckon them up. \
say no man could do anything under tins Dis.
trlct government unless he bowed down.
Mr. Starkweather.-Arey you testifying now or
arguing?
Mr.. Crane subsidized.
Mr.. COombs said Mr.. Samnel Fowler had been
waiting all the morning to explain some portions
OF the testimony concerning transactions be-
tween MI Gulick and himself In reference to
the market house.
Mr.. Chandler objected to any explanation un
less Mr.. Gulick could be present at the same
time.
The committee decided that both of those gen.
t!emen could appear before the committee 1t
the same time.
Adjourned until Wednesday morning at ten
O'Clock.
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN HAeHRsrowx. Mn
special dispatch to the Baltimore American
from Hagerstown, Nd, dated yesterday, saw:
About seven O'Clock last evening . stable I'm he
alley connecting East Washington street With
franklin street took fire, and sooa the fame
were communicated to the cxtepsiye vorks m
= 4 49, y