Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-03-13

her 70 the counsel half a dozen times; did n VI
think there were more than four or five messcn
gers employed; the Morrison building was rented
about the time of the meeting OF the legislature
the Board of Public Works did not rent the
building, and did not incur the expense of fitting
III up; the Governor OF the District did, he had
power TO do so, under the organic act; II was the
duty of the Governor TO start the new govern
ment; the money spent on the Morrison building
was well spent; the organic act went int effect
on the LIST of June, 1871; the City Hall building,
on which the city government had expended
in repairs over $4,000. had about eight rooms
in il suitable for Office purposes: il was
absolutely necessary TO make some arrange
ments for the new government, accordingly the
Morrison building was rented at =, 500 per an
mum, a very cheap rent for a building contain
ing 10 or 40 rooms; take the expense of fittinG
up the building and add to it five years rental
ana you have cost of $4,000 a year, and tn,
government of the United States paws a mucl
larger sum for poorer accommodations in thi>
District for buildings rented; this includes five
fre-proof vaults, and an urgent necessity eN
isted for these; the Board o. Public Work
did not appoint officers until a necessity
arose; the Board of Public Works has n
bureaus now: when witness was elected execu-
tive officer of the board he abolished all the bu-
reaus; the office of auditor to the board wa
created as soon as the board began TO disburS,-
money; supposed that the Board of Pubic
Works was coordinate branch of the Distric'
government. and had a right to appoint officer
TO perfoi m the duties.
Gen. Chipman.-Mr Coombs. think that j.
iutslith VI committee 10 decide.
Witness resumed:-The board kept a record
OF everything they did, the Board of Publ,
works could pass an order requiring persons t.
Keep the cutters clean; under the organic acr
The Board of Public Works has jurisdiction
over all streets and alleys;
THE CANAL
was hlled up under the act of Congress author
lZiDg II TO be converted into a covered sewer
necessary; In filling up the canal il was found
that II would be much cheaper to build a sewer
along Missouri avenue than along the canal.
witness agrees with the Governor and Mr.. Ma
gruder as TO the necessity of filling up the re-
mainder Of the canal: it is the intention OF tn,
board to do so; had no doubt The Missouri
avenue sewer would work with proper man
holes and connection with the 36-inch water
main 10 flush il in case of very low tide:
the Board OF Health had declared the cana!
nuisance and had so notified the Board o.
Pubic Works: was at meeting of the
Board OF Public Works when Gen. Meiss
DIR. Hall, and a little fellow named Philip
engaged on the Patriot, were there; real
Capt. Patterson's statement about the canal.
had examined concrete pavements i'm New
YORK; found they paid from four TO five dollars
a9OOt; in Brooklyn it was laid for s. 30, the
lowest price paid; had never met Mr.. Stebbns
OF New York; had consulted the propretors OF
the Scrimshaw pavement and the Evans Com
pany; went to Boston two years ago with
Mayor Emery, Gen. Michler and Others befor,
pennsylvania avenue was paved; examinedi into
wood pavements thoroughly then.
Adjourned until Saturday next, at 10 O'Clock
when the examination of Mr. Shepherd will b,
continued.