Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-02-20
the DISTRICT GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATION
Proceedings before the House Com.
mittee Today.

The congressional investigation into the
charges against the Board of Public Works and
the new District government was resumed this
morning before the House Committee on the
District Of Columbia. The interest in the in
vestigatiOn manifested at first BY the memorial
lists seems to have died out Crane is always
present as counsel, but, besides him, Severson,
Watson, Holmes and Grant are the only me-
morialists who attend regularly.
Mr.. Starkweather, chairman OF the commit
tee, said he had received letter from Mr..
Chandler, counsel for the District government
stating that he had been called to Philadelphia
on business and could not be present at the ex-
animation to-day. He desired that the investi-
CATION should proceed, however, and requested
the privilege OF cross-examining any witness
when he returned, to which no objection was
made.
Mr.. Green offered in evidence petition to the
that the canal be dredged and opened for COM
mercial purposes, and expressing the opinion
that if it should be ceanedoutthe revenue from
Dir. Cotton.-The gentlemen signing that have
probably changed their minds since then.
VIM. w. Domaine sworn--Had for some years
practiced civil engineering; had been assistant
surveyor OF the city of w ashington; was familiar
with the streets of the city; measured 4th street
east, street north and other streets, last week;
in the latter street, between I'd street east and
the boundary, ,17S cubic yards of earth had
been removed, amounting to S2,745.4s; on Q
street north, between 5th street and the boun-
Diary, Is, les cubic yards of earth had been re-
west, between and d streets south, and and
H streets south, 8 1906 cubic yards had been re.
moved, at a cost OF 81 $3.50; witness estimated
the COS. Of he earth at s per
of street, in the first ward, was established, ~
assistant
By Mr.. Eldridge:-witness supposed the ex-
cavatiOns could be made for Is cents per cubic
yard; did not intend to say his measurement WAS
an exact one.
Mr.. Green said he offered this evidence to
show
Judge Poland to Mr.. Green.-would it not be
better, Mr.. Green, to 60 on with your case, and
NOT STOP TO ARGUE 1T NOW?
Mr.. Green said there had been q wasteful ex-
Iavagance in improving the streets above mem
toned, and many negroes had been kept en-
ployed thereon tor the purpose OF using them in
favor Of the loan bill. He would have the
statements OF the Board OF Public Works as to
the cost here soon. He regretted that he did not
have them this morning, but had been informed
by the clerk to the Board of Public Works that
the copy was at the printers.
WHAT MR.. CRANE KNOWS ABOUT GRADING.
John H. Crane, sworn:-He testified that ish
street east had been graded under contract by
the Board OF Public Works; the deepest cut on
twas Is feet; on l. street the deepest cut was y
feet; the work upon 18th street cost $500, and
the work upon l. street cost over $4,000,
although there was not as much work upon it as
upon 4th street; the contracts for grading were
IL ceEts per cubic yard; witness could grade
every street in the city at IS cents per cubic
yard; when witness was an Officer or the corpo-
money!.
now they get cash.
I'm. H. Phillip, sworn.--Witness was here
shown printed pamphlet purporting to be
plan for the Improvement of
THE WASHINGTON CANAL,
and testified that it was a true COPY of the orr
ginal on file with the Board of Public Works
The pamphlet contained copies of letters from
General Meigs, General Humphreys, DIR. Hall.
Capt. Patterson, and Gen. Michler, giving plans
for the Improvement OF the CANAL The witness
TESTIFIED that he, with other gentlemen, was be-
fore the Board of Public Works, and presented
those plans, at which time arguments were M AIDE
In favor OF their adoption. The gentlemen
above named all concurred in the point that the
canal should be opened from Georgetown to the
Eastern Branch, and kept open by dredging
After the Interview with the board, Gov. Cooke
said there was only one thing for the board to
do, and that was to carry out the plan recon-
mended by these gentlemen.
Ey Mr.. Chapman Witness had
NO SUSPICION OF ANYTHING WRONG
on the part OF any member of the Board Of Pub
lie Works; imputed no corruption to them In
changing the plan; the commercial importance
OF opening the canal was discussed; witness ia
vored the plan that the canal be kept open, even
II the river front and harbor should be improved:
Gen. Meigs, DR.. Hall and Gen. Humphreys were
still in favor of keeping the canal open, and ex-
pressed their opinions with more strength than
ever; DR.. Hall thought that what had been done
upon the canal should be undone; witness did
not think sewer could take the place OF the
canal; believed the whole of the Tiber creek
years.
Question BY Mr.. Crane Mr.. Phillips, you
say you impute no corruption to the members of
the Board Of Public Works? Have you read
the law in regard to keeping the canal opens
Judge Poiand.-Oh! wen, never mind that.
We can read that ourselves.
Mr.. Crane.-Some of the committee have e.
pressed q desire to know about the Law on this
subject. ....r 80 -
Judge Poland.-weil, we can all read.
Witness resumed Owned property on the
canal; had had no conversation with Governor
IKE a. 70 Wy TIE plan for the
canal commissioner by Mayor Emery. - :
By General Chipman:-As q new Question.
wi witness would not be in favor Of O. canal for
1t should be keptopen; the canal should be made
AN OBJECT OF BEAUTY
BY having running water pass through it; re-
yrads from its banks; throwing handsome
bridges across It, and making a drive along IL.
planting trees thereon, &c; the Seine, in Paris,
s ana the thames, IN LONDON, were made useful
OF water should be kept in the canal; dredging
machine owned by the city could keep it open
BY Mr.. Crebbs.1What do you think about
Al do not think there win be any trouble
about getting water in the canal; witness
thought the canal was wide enough.
Thomas Wa9ganan, sworn.-He testified
THE SKATING PARK SQUARE
to X. nj. Hall; sold the Park because 10th street
was being carried out, and witness Supposed
there wonld be two or three thousand dollars
taxes to pay; Mr.. Hall sold the property to Mr.
Stanton; witness called on Mr.. Hail and MT.
Stanton for the money; they said they were
waiting upon Mr.. Shepherd; witness would not
have sold the property IL the streets had not been
run through 1T; realized about one-third of its
cost by the sale. titf[f i -
Mr.. Green stated
THE AMOUNTS EXPENDED ON STREET
and vicinity were given by Mr., Foesyth as
S1s, 134 50, and $50, 1910; Mr.. Oertly gave the
amounts as so, 1864, and $50 277; making a to-
tai Of $3.50, CAT GO. To this add the money yalue
in convenience and loss upon property holders.
Mr.. Green here began to read from the report
OF Mr.. Oertey IS to the cost, offered In evidences
at the beginning of the investigation
Judge Poland.-Oh, well, I see no use in ar
gning upon the effect OF each piece Of evidence
as it is given in.
Mr.. Green made . formal demand of the COM
mittee to require the Board Of Public Works to
furnish him (Greenl with the plans. specidcsc
TONS, contracts, cost, &c, of
TEE n strict BRIDGE.
Gen. Chlpmsn.-I would inform Mr. Green
that those documents have all been made out.
and are in the hands Of Mr.. Stanton for certias
Gates. - = :
Mr.. Crane submitted list or the
PERSONS EMPLOYED BIZ TEE BOARD or Pun
. Lie WORKS, - - =,
being list which he said had been submitsed
BY the board, hut did not include the names ef
a.. n