, 1874-03-26
Another Days Debate In tho Senate
on the Finance Bill,
Yesterdays Testimony Before the
District Investigating
Committee,
Work Let Out by the Officials Without a
Written Contract.
4 Vote on the Interstate Commerce
Bill Expected To-Day.
THE DISTRICT INVESTIGATION.
SPECIAL Dispattt 10 The .Ch,eaqo TRIBUNE.

THE DISTRICT INVESTIGATION.
SPECIAL Dispatth 10 The Ch,caqo TRIBUNE.
MORE nAHOAL1TY.
WAsn1NaroN D. G., Mnrch 25.-In tho DiB-
trlct investigation to-day, Mr. Jamos Col'lnB, a
contractor. testified that he built scwer about
fifteen months ago on verbaf contract with tho
Board OF Public Works. md Ind long since ro-
coived Ills pay for tho same; but that tho con-
tract and accompanying bond for tho samo wore
never drawn up and executed till three weokB
ago.
Tho counsel for tho District officials admitted
tint tho Board had compelled pfoperty-owners
on = part Of atreot or avenue that Ind received
inferior improvements to pay part Of the cost
Of improvements OF much superior nature
made In another part Of the street; TINT tho prico
OF tho costly part was maao tho basB for asaoss.
monts on tho whole street. THEY also submitted
aud Hchool-lonso and other
=, NoN-TAXAnLE PROPERTY
had been assossod upon and paid by the ownors
Of adjacent property tnstead Of being charged
Witness testified that a contractor had takon up
the brick footway In front Of ILLS property, cartod
of tho bricks, md used thom in building a stu
BILE and that tho Board had utterly refused to-
make him my allowance therefor.
Ex-Mayor Bowen testified that uDdcr tho old
Government contract. lot by competition and
after due advertising, had boen made ut the rato
Of II ceuss por cubic yard for cutting and filing;
that In no caso WAS q contractor allowed Tor
both
QUITTING AND FILLING,
but he was allowed to choose which ho
would rccoivo paw for. Tile rate paid by
tho Board Of Public Works waH shown
to 10 80 conts por cubic yard, and It WIS testified
that iu oases Of improvement near Government
property the Government was maAo to pny for
both cutting md filling ut TINT rate, although 1t
iH in evidence that contractors received pay Tor
doing onIy one of tho two thinga.
a prominent local morclalt testified that on @
atleet q cobble-stono pavement waa laid, for
wioh tho owners Of adjacent property wero aa
Bessod $28 per front foot that, tilnking
SOMETHING WAS WRONG,
tho citizeus had tue work measured, and
only 81 per front foot; that, after theao facts
Ind been published tho Doard cut down the
asacssment one-half, but they still refused to
pay it. The bill on file in tue Auditors Office
fixes the contract cost at $14 and was tlod be-
foro tue assessment wag made.
ITO Ehe Asfocfaftd Pressl
WASHINGTON. March 25.-At a meeting Of the
District OF Columbia Investigating Committee,
thiB morning. John Collins tossilod tint lie had
laid Sewers, raised houses, a,ld 1ono parking and
other work for tho Board Of Public Works,
amounting to about 100000, without any con-
signed CONTRACT and gavo bond. Both wore
dated baoA to Sept. II, 1879, for tho faitll-
ful performance Of certain work amounting to
less than 81 000 I'LL Of which was done and paid
for fifteen months previous.
Robert Christy, ono of tho counsel for the
bcr OF witneascs from distance. Tho reason
for tho motion was AL expectation to provo lead
ing facts alleged by tho memorialiRta In their
oharges. The motion was filed.