Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-03-28

Inc 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 "ExrERrs" NOT READY.
MT. Green read letter from Messrs. A.
Grant, w. w. Domaine and Emil s. Frederick
the board of "experts" Of the memorialists,
certain plans and specifications until the 18th
instant, they were unable to testify to-day, and
would not be ready before Saturday.
Mr.. Chandler said that If the examination of
the "experts" did not occupy more than Satur-
day he should not object; but he feared if their
examination was postponed until Saturday IL
could not be concluded that day, and the de-
fence, therefore, would not be able to begin on
Monday.
Mr.. Eldridge did not think the excuse of the
experts" a sufficient one; the committee had
now been in session nearly fifty days, and these
gentlem men should have been here this morning
according to the understanding OF yesterday.
Mr.. Crane said Mr.. Domaine had told him he
had seen MIR. Coombs, who would explain to the
committee why they could not be ready to day
Mr Coombs said he had not seen Mr.. Demaine
but Capt, Grant had called upon him and stated
they would not be ready.
"EXPBRT" sRVERsoN's ESSAY
Mr.. Severson here entered the room, and said
Mr.. Hardness and himself, two members of the
board of "experts," were ready. Mr.. Severson
here presented report, which Mr.. COombs
began to read.
Mr.. Chandler objected to its reception. He
Ulu not understand tnat the committee had
authorized any board to make a written report
The understanding was that these gentlemen
could examine the work and come before the
committee the same as any other witnesses, to
testify as to their examination.
Gen Chapman suggested that the report be
read, and the committee could then determine
upon its admissability as evidence.
Mr.. Coombs said that was what he proposed TO
do, and after reading the report the gentleme
who signed it could be examined orally.
Mr.. Starkweather said the document was in
the nature of an argument.
Mr.. Eldridge said that when Mr. Severson was
before the committee he delivered
A LONG ARGUMENT WHICH WAS NOT EvI-
DKNCE.
AS to the propriety or improperly of the con.
of any Of the District officers he did NOT
want anybodys opinion; the committee would
hear the facts and determine upon that point
for themselves.
The committee decided to allow the paper to
be read.
Mr.. Chandler said his objection to it was its
reception as a report OF board Of siexperts."
He did not want to see it so quoted in the news
papers. He had no objection to the gentlemen
signing it as their testimony, upon which they
should he rros s-eXamined.
Mes: rs Sewers IN and Domaine were present,
and MIR. Coombs stated that they were ready TO
be examined. yet he had a letter from Capt
Grant. asking that they should not be examined
until Saturday.
Mr.. Coombs here read the paper signed by
Messrs Hardness, Severson and Domaine. 1t i
A LONG DOCUMENT,
and after reciting the history OF the contract OF
the old corporation with Evans and TeemyeT
for the improvement of the canal and the trans.
fer of the work to the Board of Public Works
goes on TO say that under the latter the work
has been badly done, and the canal but little
improved; that the new stone walls have not
been CONSTRUCTED according to plans and speci-
fcations. and are utterly useless, sc. After
giving their views upon the canal. very much
after Mr. SeversOns dam ideas, of which thii
community has heard something heretofore, thu
report takes up the subject of concrete pave
ments, and the three experts state that they ex-
amined those laid on several streets by the Board
OF Public WORKS, which have already been cut
through by vehicles, and they believe them to
he useless, and that taxes should not be collect
ed 10 pay for them.
WHAT EXPERT" DEMAIHE DON'T KNOW.
". ". Domaine recalled, and examined b,
Mr.. Roosevelt had no knowledge a.
to concrete pavements: the piles forming the
foundation OF the stone walls OF the canal wert
above low water, and they would soon decay,
on account OF being exposed TO the elements
sometimes we5 and sometimes dry; knew bu'
very little about macadamizing roads; no
phalt was put upon the broken stone first put
down.
Mr.. Eldr:dge said he saw them pouring rs
phsit or gas tar Oh the broken stone in thai
pave me mt in front OF the Presidents House.
Witness resumed SeversOn and Mr.
Hardness drew the report just read; witness co
incided with them; had no definite knowledge
as TO how the original walls were built; meas
ured the amount of deposit to be removed from
the James creek branch; estimated los 600 cubic
yards TO be removed; to take it out and haul il
away il would be worth 80 cents per yard.
MIR. Starkweather did not see how it could be
done at that price, when it cost more to take
dirt out OF the street.
James Creek improvement showed several ele-
waited points which witness could not find; be-
lieved Mr.. Forsyth was good engineer and AZ
honest man; thought the discrepancies between
himself and Mr.. Forsyth did not show that Mr.:
Forsyth was very careless or dishOnest-only an
error on the part OF that gentleman; witness was
assisted in making his measurements by a young
man.
Mr.. Eldridge.-Who is he? What is his name
Mr.. DE maine (after some hesitation. III can't
think OF his name row; he Is my son-in-law, and
(Great laughter
Mr.. Dem aine, resuming:-well, never mind
his name has no bearing on this case. Laugh
Mr.. Eldridge.-Your daughter remembers his
name. guess. fRenewed laughter.l
By Gen. Chipman:-Witness did not claim to
be an expert" in the matter of pavements saw
tidal sewer in Liverpool; did not know
the length of il.
Gen. Chipman:-That is a canal, an open
sewer. IL ii not?
Ans.-Yes sir.
BY Mr.. Chandler:--Witness now remembered
his soD-in-law's name; it is Charles Dawson.
Q.-How long has he been your son-in-law?
Answer since he has been married
which was about the close OF the war. Laugh.
teri
b. Sererson recalled, and questioned by MT
that the statement in writing Submitted this
morning was true.
Mr.. Chandler inquired if he should bring wit
nesses on Saturday.
Mr.. Starkweather.-I think we can examine
Mr.. Hardness in fifteen minutes on Saturday
and will then 60 on with the other testimony.
Adjourned until 10 O'Clock on Saturday.
If ANY ONE knows your firm to be the best
IN your particular line, everybody becomes
your good and willing reference, and eyery.
bodys friend. who had thought of going to
some rival house because he knows not of YOU,
Will, on speaking Of his determination 6ay.
your name pronounced to him with commenda-
ton. In fact, the man who is thoroughly adj
vertised must continue to thoroughly advertise:
but having once made his name household
word he receives much gratuitous advertising
from the great public, always DESTROYS OF help
ing those who have plainly shown that they
need no help.
TIE HOUSE, OF THE LABOR REroRMRRs n,
Massachusetts, appears TO be divided against 1t
seh The Eight Hour League OF Boston, the
other day, repudiated the platform of the
national labor convention, recently held at Co
lunbus, Ohio, and excommunicated the orgsni-
nation there represented for sundry sins of Omis
sion and eOmmission, and now the labor reform
central committee Of Massachusetts, comes 20
the rescue and repudiates the regulators and
declares the Columbus convention alt right.
TIE ERRNcu Rpvrw so~s tnalc-~s>. q,