National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-05-04
SATURDAYS SESSION.

SATURDAY, Msy 2, 1884,
The committee met pursuant to adjourn
ment.
The Journal Of yesterdays proceedings was
read and approved.
Mr.. Mattingly. Mr.. Townsend states that he
desires to make slight amendment to his tes-
timony. He states that he inexperienced 3
question that was asked him.
Z. 3. TOWNSEND RECALLED.
Mr.. Chairman, I find, upon referring TO my
testimony Of yesterday, that, in reply TO Judge
Merrick's question as to whether the property
holders had been consulted in regard to the
disposition Of the old material, / answered, ''I
cannot say" should have stated, in many
cases they have, but cannot say they have In
all cases; and that, as q rule, the allowances
made by the board have been satisfactory to
the citizens, and, compared with the large
number Of claims made, but few complaints
have been made as to the allowances, or recon-
sheraton asked.
By Mr.. Christy: Q. Have you prepared tho
statement Of the aggregate value OF the old
materian A. 1t Is in process OF preparation.
TESTIMONY OF THOMAS P. MORGAN.
Thomas P. Morgan was here called and
sworn.
Prior to his examination, Mr.. Christy said:
Mr.. Chairman, before the examination of this
witness begins, I will state that Mr.. Clephaue
was under examination yesterday. l wish 70
advise gentlemen that we desire Mr.. ClephAns
10 produce the books Of the Metropolis Paving
Company, as 1t appears that the several pave
ments were merged in that subsequently, and
laid. desire to have those books produced,
II order that we may examine him further.
Mr.. Mattingly. We intend TO resume Mr..
Clephane's examination. There are several
other witnesses here now, however, who are
anxious to get away.
Mr.. Merrick: We simply serve you notice to
produce.
BY Mr.. Mattingly 10 the witnsss): Q. State
whether you were at the meeting Of the con-
tractors at the rooms Of the Board Of Public
Works, In response TO the circular which was
sent out, and whether that meeting was public
or noti A. I was there.
O. What took pSaeei State the general
character Of the meeting, ard wha. took place.
A. Amer the advertisements for proposals for
the Improvements. Of the various street, the
parties bidding were invited to meet the Board
OF Public Work at their rooms on Four-and-a-
half street, and the matter was discussed in
reference to the awards or prices that had been
fixed by the Board Of Public Works for the va
rious work, or the classes Of work bid for.
There were q number Of gentlemen present.
Mr.. Shepherd, the vice president Of the board,
announced 10 the PARTIES present the prices
that would be allowed for work, and there was
Q general discussion on the subject. There
were large number Of persons present.
@. Was Il secret meetingi A. No, SIR.
Q. Were the doorS open or were they closed,
or was there any secrecy about the matter TER
number there; observed no secrecy about IL.
The matter was freely discussed.
O. Do you remember whether there was any
dissatisfaction among the contractors Is to
some Of the priest A. There was q great
deal OF dissatisfaction; that the prices were not
sufficient.
By Mr.. Christy: Q. Were you one Of the
biddersi A. was, str.
Q. Did you deposit your thousand dollarss
A. ! deposited thousand dolla-s-whateVer
was required.
Q. Did you not deposit that thousand dollars
with the expectation that the award would be
made to the lowest bidder, as In other cases
whore there was public advertisements A.
supposed It would, sir.
q. That was one occasion of the disappoint-
ment and dissatisfaction, was Il not! A. No,
SIR; II was not that so much as that they
thought that the board was fixing the rate OF
the work at too low q rate or figure. The class
Of work that was assigned to me, thought
prices named BY tho board for the macsdam
thought were fair. The grading and paving OF
brick footwalks was the point TO wnicn o9lec-
ton was made mainly BY those bidding. Iney
thought the prices too low.
O. Your bid was for macadamizingf A. Yes,
sir.
o. Did YOU receive the award under your bid
for macadamizingi A. received an award,
IN. but not under the bid that had made;k
was less than my bid.
O. We're YOU advised at any time that you
we're expected to make Q bid simply to con-
tribute information to the board that they
might establish scale Of priessi A. Twas
not, sir.
o. And you bid, as IN other cases, that it
should be awarded to tbs lowest bidderi A.
That Is what supposed at the time.
O. Did you notice . publication In . news-
raner on the morning Of the 18Th of Septem-
Der In regard tothe proceedings at the Morrt-
son building, The Office Of tho Board OF Public
worksl A. I do not remember now, sir.
O. DID 700 receive verbal or writteniayi-
tatioa 10 spresrl A. think Il was written.
q. Were you advised TO appear again ct any
specified day, on the Lat OF Ssptemher, when
he bids ware openi A. was not, sir.
Q. The Invitation that you received was .
written circular, wa 10 A. That y my reco..
ecttbn, that Il was written circular.
Q. Are you able to say how extensively thas
was circulated among biddsrst A. esnnot,
sir.
Q: You canro. tel that ,bsy did receive III
A. ! cannot Sir.