The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-05-15
WASHINGTON,
The District Investigation.

WASHINGTON, May 14-Mr. Blickensderfer,
the engineer employed by the District Investi-
eating Committee, was on the stand this morn
ng. He submitted measurements made by him
at several points throughout the city around
the government reservation and on the aven-
ues, showing that in each instance the govern
ment was overcharged largely. In one or two
instances government was charged for its pro-
COST as shown by voucher of payment Every
point measured showed large overcharges to
government
According to his measurementthe govern
ment has paid SIS, 550.15 On Scott Square the
government has been overcharged So, 900. giving
Samos the benefit of his own estimate of grad
ing On Rawns Square, which witness meas
ured, it cost 1922, 210.31; it was charged against
the government at 500, 36390, after allowing
Samos an error admitted to have been made by
him of upwards of $4,000 which does not ap-
pear in Gouernor Shepherds answer, but which
Col. Samos alleges has been credited to the
government and covered into the Treasury.
The greatest avenue charges were IN grading.
The witness measured New Hampshire Avenue
and ascertained that it should have cost $780,
233, but it is charged in the Governors answer,
$148, 4S4, and excess against the United States
of $40, 251. He found that the contractors in
several instances had been overpaid On New
Hampshire Avenue they have been paid for
work in excess of what has been done. Hal
sey, a contractor, was overpaid 81 900. Murray
measured was Virginia Avenue. Haze complete
notes of the entire sections and profles. The
grading including the reservations at 18th and
G. streets is 102,657 yards. There was allow
ed the contractor 100000 yards; the govern
ment was charged 100000 yards at forty cents,
and hauling at thirty six ceats. The correct
charge TO the United States government should
be SAL, 9O9.33. The overcharge is $10,7S4. On
G. street, between oath and 18th streets, wit
ness found the grading 12,4O2 yards. The con
tractor was allowed 1929 yards; the govern
ment was charged 33,109 yards The govern
ment was overcharged p ,407 yards, or $12, $780,
81. The government is also overcharged on a
sewer; it is charged for over 5000 feet and there
are 700 feet on the work, making total of
overcharge of $17, 6S3.5S. Witness explained
that the difference in overpay was made by
paying the contractors twice for work at the in
tersection of the reservation at 18th and G
streets. The government also paid twice for
the work on Maryland Avenue east Witness
found the grading to he 221 1858 yards. while the
amount charged the government was for over
$4,000 yards The contractors were allowed
$91, 1851 and the government was charged
and paid 1872, 830. % as its proportion and more
than the entire work cost as shown by pay
ments to contractors. Government should have
paid amounts TO $62.9O9.79. The overcharge
paid amounts to S29,93O 49, Witness said the
grading around the Patent and Post Offices, ac-
cording to vouchers of the board, cost $206 per
cubic yard for the earth on I'd street between
Pennsylvania Avenue and H. streets, north
west. Witness made the measurements; he
had no notes. He used marks the side of
the building as land marks He found the grad
ing to be g. LOG yards. There was allowed to
the contractor 2,3O0 yards, he being overpad
Sc, 1921
Witness stated he had look at the other work
but had not brought it to a final conclusion be-
cause he could not get the date with regard to
I'd street, between Indiana Avenue aud III
street. Its contractor is allowed "a, 443 yards
The entire length and breadth of work charged
would have to be excavated three feet and sew
eral inches along its entire length to make up
the charge, and it does not bear evidence of
having been made. Witness said that in the
work measured by him he saw no evidence of
rock excavations, which is charged to the gov
ernment where it is alleged to have been made
at one dollar per yard. The government is
charged for grading and hauling The gov
eminent is charged usually larger by cents ON
excavations and about five cents in the hauling
than is paid the contractor. On G street the
government is charged q cents more for haul
ing than was paid the contractor on Maryland
Avenue. i he hauling paid the contractor va
ries from IL cents to 2 cents. Three fourths
of the charge is at cents. The government is
charged the whole at 10 cents In making his
measurements witness used the profiles and
notes furnished by the Board of Public Works,
and in an approximate to the cost used the
rates established by the board as paid to con-
tractors.
After recess Mr. Blckenstoffer was re-
called. He said he had examined the accounts
and vouchers in the Office of the board of pub.
lie works and found loose system of keeping
the accounts regarding the measurements. He
asked Samos if he could explain the difference
He furnished them and went with Samos on
the ground and pointed out the discrepancies
He answered that he had to include some old
work done before the board of putlic works
came in. Also callee on General Babcock and
Nnrfn fu foin irwin
the results he had obtained. This he did at
the instance Of the committee. The engineer
ing of work done in this city has been very
loose and without due care, and the way work
was done, particularly the grading, is next to
impossible to arrive at the accurate results.
Col Magruder was called to explain why he
had diverted the bonds appropriated for specif-
ic purpose in the payment of work foreign to
the appropriation. His explanation was that
the provisions of tie law had never been point
ed out to him.
No witnesses were examined with reference
to the safe burglary.
Treasury Balances.
The following are the Treasury balances to-
day:-Currency, $9,931 ,904; special deposit of
legal tenders for redemption of certificates of
deposit 1854 4S5 000 coin, $8S, 352, 351, including
coin certificates 1886, 300; outstanding legal
tenders, $685., 100000.
Caucus of Southern Members.
A caucus OF the southern members Oh the
House, representing eleven States was held to-
day, the object being to perfect bill for the
refund of the cotton tax, amounting to $3O,000,-
600.
Cabinet Session.
The Cabinet was in session to-day for nearly
two hours, engaged in the discussion OF the
Arkansas problem aud as to the final decision
of the government thereon. 1t seems very Ger
tain that the determination has been reached as
to what course will be proper under the clrcum
stances.
The Bank Note Investigation.
The Banking Committee to-day examined
the Presidents of the National and American
Bank Note Companies, relative to the contract
of the Treasury Department with the Columbia
Bank Note Company. Superintendent McCur-
tee of the Printing Bureau, will be examined
on Saturday.
Various Matters.
The internal revenue receipts to-day were
$4I4,S25.
Strange Illness Of n Witness.
NEW YORK, May 14.-A Washington des-
patch says the Prescott, whom Sanborn paid
S2S, 900, was strangely taken sick in New York
city while en- route to testify before the Ways
and Mean Committee.
Gen. Butler has avowed his intention of up
holding the present moiety system in a speech
when the matter comes before Congress.
A Combination to Garry Two Obnoxious
Bills.
The Times Washington despatch states that
a proposition has been made by the claimants
for the refundne of the cotton tax to unite
with the friends of the centennial in Congress
to carry both sides.