The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-21
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA INVESTI-
CATION.

Answer of the Authorities to the Charge
Against Them-A Contrac tors Modest
Profits.
At the meeting of the District OF Columbia In
vestigating Committee to-day the District author
tiles filed a written answer to the charges OF the
memoriaists, denying each ana every allegation OF
fraud, conspiracy or confederation with John o.
Evans and other parties named by the memorial
lists. The answer admits that large contracts
were given TO these parties, but sweepingly and
specifically denies that there any collision be.
tween them and the Board or Public Works or
other District authorities. The existence OF the
Kilbourne memorandum and the Huntington let
ter is also admitted, but it is denied that they sus-
tam the memoriasts' charges in any particular
The journal OF the Board OF Public Works was pro-
duced, ana the committee ordered q transcript OF
that portion relating to the meeting at which the
bids were opened for pavements to be put IN evi.
dence.
DENIAL OF THE CHARGE.
The Board OF Public Works, in their reply, aver
that the contracts let to John o. Evans Il Co. In
stead OF being injurious to the Dstric: were to its
benefit, portion of the contract made with said
Evans having been in accordance with a petition
signed by Messrs Corcoran, Riggs, Kennedy and
others OF the memorialists. The Board further de.
MES that contracts were awarded to Evans Il Co.
without public notice and In any manner different
from that in which contracts were awarded to
other responsible bidders, but were awarded fairly
and justly. The Board admits that in two con-
tracts there was stipulation allowing the use
OF old material which might be removed,
but this was allowed not for any advantage to the
contractors but because 1t would facilitate the
progress OF the work. IL is denied that the Board
agreed TO furnish to them certain undeslgnated
costly machinery owned by the District OF Column
bla to be used In the prosecution OF improvements
by said contractors and without charge. The fact
Is, the only machinery purchased by the District
government was one steam roller, the use OF
which was accorded to any contractor needing It,
he paying the expenses Of running; but, as
respects the contracts referred to, the par
ties furnished their own material and did
not it at ALL 1t IL denied that
exceptions were made to favor or Evans and his as
sociates in regard to keeping the improvements In
repair. 1t Is denied that the Board greatly aided
and assisted the said Evans and his associates by
unlawfuly extending and eniarging the improve
ments to he made under their said contracts The
contracts were originally given within the limita-
ton OF $500, 900 especially appropriated by the act
OF the Legislative Assembly and afterwards. when
the "a, 000, 900 loan was sustained approved and
became available ana the contracts, according to
the original intention, were extended, the bonds
given Tor the original contracts were regarded as
SUFFICIENT for the extension. The Board denies
that any act Of the Legislative Assembly was
Violated by allowing additional compensation to
Lewis Clep plane for grading. The increase was gen.
erai and applicable to all contracts and was made
on the recommendation Of the enGReeg OF the