Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-03-01

be allowed to rescind the authority signed by
Mr. Williams aked Q vote on his motion to
resciDd the whole paper, as the whole thing was
GROSS FRAUD.
Mr.. Green.-Gentlemen Of the committee, 1
Er. Wiiliams-It is fact. The question of
examining books and papers was never before
MT. Starkweather called the attention of the
committee to his motion.
Mr.. Wiliams.-I suggest that the committee
appoint a board of experts.
Mr.. Cotton.-I move that the chairman of the
committee be authorized to designate board
Of experts.
Mr.: Starkweather.-Ip prefer that the commit
tee should name them.
MIR. Green.-I suggest Mr.. Latrobe, MI
Sanger and Mr.. Frederick.
Mr.. Reoseveit-Is there objection?
Mr.. Chandler do object.
Mr.. Roosevelt.-State your objection.
jections before the committee has authorized
the appointment of board, but will do so after
the committee decides to appoint them. This
order brought here was obtained by means of an
VI worthy device by Mr.. Green.
Mr.. Wiliams.-t move that
GoMNITTEE OF THREE EXPERTS
be appointed by the committee to make the ex.
amnatiOns as NAV be required.
Mr.. EldIidge.-I hope no such proposition will
prevail. do not believe in appointing any
three men, or any four men, to go and make ex-
aminations for this committee.
Mr.. Crebs hoped the memsrialists would Ges
ignate particular works which they wanted to
inquire about, in order that copies of the con-
tracts be furnished them by the District govern
ment.
Mr.. Cotton thought that the authority pro.
posed should be given for the examination Of
particular work, to be designated by the me-
moIalists. He did not want TO give them rowing
authority TO examine work all over the city, and
he therefore offered the following
RESOLUTION:
RtSoictd. That when il is desired on the mart of
the memoralists, or on the part Of the Board of
call witness should have permission to eSamine
any Of the work done, or beng done, In the city,
pm 2. he Work o sss Msen
fir. Eldridge.-I am willing that they 90
where they please an examine what they want
Mr.. Chandler.-we are willing.
Mr.. Roosevelt offered a resolution that ex-
specifications Of the Board of Public Works and
the city government, such experts to testify be-
fore the committee on oath after such examine
enested by Counsel both sides snd 20 seectSn
made by the committee ut its next meeting.
Mr.. williams shall vote AGAINST any propo-
ston to examine the books unless
SPECIFICATIONS AND CHARGES
be made against them.
Mr.. Crane said that he would now make the
charge that the statements given to them were
not correct.
Mr.. Williams.-wen, make your charges in
writing.
Mr.. Crane-I state that according to the best
Of my knowledge and belief the books of the
controller are not correct,
Mr.. Roosevelt referred to various statements
as to the indebtedness of the District govern
nent, and said he was not able to understand il
Mr.. Chandler thought the gentleman had not
examined the reports already submitted He
read from the printed testimony, showing the
Indebtedness of the District, the expenses of the
Dstr,ct government, amount of bonds author
lied to be sold, &c, and said the only defect he
saw was that it might be advisable to give
statement OF the entire receipts The controller
would give the information desired He (Mr.
Chandler)
RKPELLEp THE CHARGE OF Mr.. CRANE
as TO the falsity OF returns to the committee or
the books of the District government, though
he had no doubt that that gentleman Mr.. Crane)
was willing to make supplemental charges as
Mr.. Roosevelt wanted some information in re-
gard to the indebtedness Of the District after
paying for all the work now i'm progress. He
wanted some one to examine and report upon
their testimony. He thought the present in.
debtedness, cost of Improvements, &c, would
be more than SO, eco 600.
Mr.. Crebs agreed with Mr.. Roosevelt.
General Cbipman thought it important that a
tabular statement should be before the cemmit-
tee, and he suggested that the counsel for the
prepare such a statement, showing
TEE FINANCIAL CONDITION or THE DISTRICT.
MI Chandler thought Mr.. Roosevelt very wild
in bis figures this morning. He (Mr. CO. thought
II Mr.. r. would go with him as q sub committee
he would soon become satisfied as to the District
Indebtedness, cost of improvements, &c.
MIR. ROOsevelt.-"I much prefer that the coun-
sci who charges member of the committee with
being wild should furnish the information him
Mr.. Chandler did not wish to be offensive 70
any member Of the committee, but he thought
the expression of Mr.. Roosevelt, to the effect
that our Indebtedness was S12 900 900, was calcu-
lated to do the District harm, which he was sat
isiied the gentleman did not mean to do. He
Mr. Chandler) felt confident the entire cost of
improvements, old and new indebtedness, would
not be over five or six millions of dollars, and
desired that his statement should 90 to the pub
lie with that OF Mr.. Roosevelt.
Mr.. Crane said Mr.. Chandler had omitted
Sc veral large items for instance, the new water
toned. Again, the memorialists complained
that the meetings of the Board of Public Works
were secret, and no access to their books could
trar were not published; in old times they were
published every month.
Mr.. Chander.-Of course, we never expect |
to make the water department as perfect as |
when you were water registrar. |
. Mr.. Williams moved an amendment to Mr..
resolution, that
BOARD OF THREE EXPERTS
be appointed to examine into the whole in,leht.
edness of the District.
Mr.. Starkweather moved to further amend 20
that ga subcommittee of the District committee
be appointed to confer with the controller ex- |
anime the books, and report TO the committee
Gen Chapman thought that Mr.. Chandler un- |
Messrs. Crebs and Roosevelt overstated it. MT.
Chandler did not include the uniss ued portion |
OF the bonds, which ought to be regarded as an |
Mr. Starkweather moved that all the proposi-
tioLs lay over until to- morrow, when they could
Mr.. Chandler said Mr. Stanton was present
with the contracts.
Mt Eldridge said "Mr. Stanton, as an indi-
yidual member of the committee, without cast
ing any imputation upon you-for 1 do not be-
= UnnlI