Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-04-09
The Robson Investigation

MORE FALsEHooDs DIsPRoyED.
Tie Congressional committee to investigate
the charges against Secretary Robson made in
the New York Sun continued their examination
Of witnesses last evening.
Poymoster Bradford, sworn Witness lives in
Brooklyn; is pay director for the navy; makes
all the purchases for the Brooklyn navy yard;
never received any direction from the Secretary
concerning purchases; the Cattells never sold
witness any bricks to 20 to California, nor did
on the same system that Paymas ,r Russell
conducts his in Philadelphia Cattell has recon
mended several persons to witness as suitable
persons to obtain contracts, but they never go,
any, their bids were not low enough; the NAVY
Department never interfered in any manner
direct or indirect, with witness's purchases, nor
made any suggestions in connection Herewith:
Cattell and witness are old friends and during
the last two years witness has purchased OF A
G. Catell $4,000 worth of flour and III 900 worth
OF slate.
Pdymasier Russell, of Philadelphia, testified
that he had never received direction from the
Secretary, in any shape whatever, TO favor any
body in purchasing supplies.
Chief Eng iReer ". ". Wood testified that he
had the supervision OF the torpedo boat, build
ing at the Brooklyn hayward, designed by
Admiral Porter; that the interests of the gov
eminent were protected; that the price was
nothing more than a fair one, and that the
claims OF Secor a. Co. for extra work and the
rise in the price were irst, and that similar
allowances had been made to Miles Greenwood
Mr.. James f. Secor. of the firm of Perine, Sc
cor & Co., was examined by Secretary Robson
and testified that the S93 900 not paid before
the Boggs board decided in their favor; he never
gave Secretary Robson q dollar, nor to anybody
for him.
BY Mr.. Archer:-He had no knowledge that
Simon johnson was employed as their attorney;
they had not paid to any officer of the Navy De-
partment one dollar directly or indirectly; they
were always ahead with their work on the mont
tors.
BY Mr.. Robeson:-witness considered that the
government now owes them GEO. 900.
: Mr.. Charles A. Secor was sworn He was ex-
amined by Secretary Rol ,son, and said that he
had ono third interest in the claims; he received
the 500 600; the Secretary never received any OF
the money; he never had any transactions with
the Secretary, nor did he ever give him any val
liable thing or promise, nor has any officer or
received valuable consideration from the firm
Colonel Simon Johnson was witness attorney to
present the law points in 1861 or 1865; he did so
before the Secretary of the Navy, and witness
paid him Zee of 81 600; he said the government
Justly owed the firm between $500 900 and
300 900 on the three vessels on the general con-
tract for damages sustained.
BY Mr.. Archer:-Mr.C attell was not employed
either by himself or his brother in furtherance
Of the payment OF the claim; he applied to Sec
rotary BOrie, who turned the matter over to
Admiral Porter, who appointed the Boggs
board; he had previously applied to Secretary
on account of the death Of Admiral Gregory,
he, and also Mr.. Lenthal, could not see any way
to get at it; Secretary Welles said that some OF
the items ought to be paid.
Adjourned until tonight.