Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-03-20
THE DISTRICT INV ESTiGATIOy,
PROCEEDINGS OF THE JONI COMMITTEE 7eBlT.
Answer Of the District Government to
the First Charge

O'Clock this morning, ali the members preseni
except Mr. Jewett.
MIR. Harrington read the answer of the Dis
trict government to the first charge OF the ne
morislists. 1t is as follows:
ANSWER OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS To
IbE FIRST CHARGE OF TIE MUNICIPALITIES.
inns respondent, in answer To said charge,
says as 10 llows:
That it had not, and has not. any knowledge
OF any conspiring or confedersting together OF
John o. Evans and the other parties named on
the first page of said charge. for the purposs of
obtaining, controlling and securing certain
contracts. and the money to be paid thereon a.
averred on said first page OF said charge, hut
from information and belief AYERS that said
charge Is false.
This respondent denies that said Board of
Public Works, or any member thereof, did aid
and assist the said John D. Evans aud said other
parties named to carry out and successfully ac-
eomplish the purposes and the objects of such
alleged conspiracy and confederation.
This respondent admits that said Board of
Public Works, as composed at that time did
let ard award TO John .. Evans, Lewis Gle
plane and Lewis ). Fibert. respectively a
number or contracts as hereinafter set forth
but denies that the same was so done unlaw-
fully, or to the great loss and injury of the Dis
met OF Columbia, or the government of the
United States, but on the contrary aver that
the same were to the great benefit of the Dis
trct OF Columbia and government of the United
States, and that portion of said contract m abe
with John y. Evans were awarded to him on
the petition OF some of said memoriaIists ami
others, as will appear from the two letters fol-
lowing:
$40 The Honorable Board Of PaJIic Works Of The
District Of Columbia:
We, the undersigned, property owners
trontlug on Lafayette Square, east side
known as Madison Place, also on Penn
syivania avenue, between Madison Place
ana 10Th street. respectively petition that
the sidewalk on Madison place, especially the
east side, be widened eight feet, to be graded
ami the roadway from curbstOne to curbstone
be paved with what is known as the Scharf
Pavement; provided they, the Scharf Pavement
Company, will grade and pave the same in ali
respects az perfect and complete that portion
OF Vermont avenue between II and streets, in
front OF the Arlington hotel; and further pro-
yiCed, that they will contract TO do the same
for the sum OF $3.50 per square yard for grading
ana paving the same; and, further, that they.
the Scharf Pavement Company, will look 10
the United States government for that portion
Which legally belongs TO them TO pay, both on
Lafayette square and Pennsylvania avenue
fTontiDg on the Treasury building grounds and
await the action of Congress for an appronria-
ton OF the money TO pay the same. We further
respectfully ask that the prOperty-owners BE-
emily assessed the amount required under the
late territorial act by Congress, the city paving
It's just proportion, the government it's and on
the avenue the railroad company its; that the
grade OF the sidewalk on Madison place be es
taotlshod at once, and the propcTt owners -
CURED 10 conform TO the same, under directions
OF your honorable board.
For the Information of the boa-I We WouI.
state that the gas main and water IN ain to
gether with foot barrel brick sewer, also
otheT tile-drain sewers, have been laid on VI al
isO1 place. The street will not, therefore, have
to be broken for either of the purposes named
Signed flames q. Kennedy, Geo W. Riggs
WV. Corcoran per A. Hyde, A. Il. StoughtOu
q. W. AIvord, president Freedman's Savings
and Trust Company.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., May "A, 1871.
Inc above parties represent more than three
quarters OF the private property along which
tie pavement is asked to be laid. ACCOMPANY
ing this L hand you the agents offer TO DO the
work at the price named.
JAMES G. KENNEDY.
WASHINGTON, ID. g, May n, ISL
To the Honorable Board Of PaGlic Works Dtstrirf
IF Columbia:
The undersigned, owners OF the patent for
laying the Scharf asphalt pavement in the DIS
uict OF Columbia, hereby agree to contract for
laying said pavement on l5k street, VI adison
Place. between Pennsylvania avenue and
street, and Pennsylvania avenue, between SAID
Madison Place and 18th street, for the sum OF
rs 30 per square yard, said pavement to be laid
IN as good manner as that in front OF the Ar
iiP gho n house, JOAN .. Evans & Co.
been omitted, but the cobble-stone will NOR.
than pay for it. JAMES q. KENNEDY"
and that said contracts were awarded at IS 20
per square yard, instead OF $3.50 as prayed Tor
by said petitioners.
This respondent further AYERS that all of the
awarded to said John o. Evans and
proportion OF the contracts for wood and asphalt
pavements awarded by the Board of Pubic
Works and actually executed.
This respondent admits that said Board of
Public Works prior to the 25th day Of August,
A. ID. ISL, did cause to be published said adj
vertisement set out on the first page of said
charge rs published in the National Republican
1t also admits the issue OF the circular set out
on page of said charge, and says that said cir
cnlar was sent TO every responsible bidder whose
bids were regarded as accepted by the board;
ana that at the meeting called for by said circular
all persons 10 whom the same had been addressed
were admitted, and that no one was excluded
The object of the board in publishing SAID ad-
yertsement and circular was to establish a uni
form scale or prices at which the work under
contracts should be DONE as set
forth IN the report of the board to the President
OF the Cnited States In 1872, and by him trans
mltted 10 Congress on page IL Of said report, in
the language following
ain the outset it was determined that it would
be better for all parties concerned to establish
and TO award contracts at these uniform prices
10 responsible persons, who, being paid only for
work actually done, would have no interest in
defrauding their employers. The result Of this
plan, as carried into practical operation, has
been entirely satisfactory.
by general advertising, bids were received
for all classes, and descriptions OF improve
ments, the prices were fixed, based upon in
formation thus derived and upon the rates paid
In other cities, and the work was awarded at
those rates.
conclusiyely that this Is the most
and efficient means Of prosecuting
such undertakings, as 1t prevents straw bids
and contracts to irresponsible parties, who
would otherwise harass and retard the board in
their operations, either by selling out or by pre-
ferring extra and imaginary claims, to secure
more than fair equivalent for the services
The only instances which have given trouble
TO the board have arisen under contra acts award
ed by advertisement TO the lowest bidders tor
specific improvements. In each of these cases
the contractors have defrauded their laborers
and employees of their pay, left the work un-
finished, and entailed heavy loss UPON their
work men and the board.
The board points with pride to the work done
and the prices paid, and are satisfied that no
one investig ating the subject honestly and i'm
partially will fail to acknowledge that In no In
stance on record has 50 much been accom- plshed
in so short period Of time and at q cost 50
1t lie denied that the following numbered con-
tracts 293, Al, q, 145, g. AZ 20, 159, 1874, 81 81
1O7, 20, 291, 295, AGO, $50, 57iX, 1884, 9O5, 36.
2l6 SOC, ST. SIS, $40. 621, go, ESQ., 69f, 7O7 709
753, 7S3, 1884, 916 ga, 249, 4l6, o26, 6 o2s, 635,
6S2, 1852, 1853, E76, 823, S24, esq., were unlawfully
let and awarded on the 18th day Of September
to John u. Evans, or any associates, without
any public notice, and privately, or in any
manner different from what contracts were
awarded to other respo ssble bidders or parties.
for the purpose Of aiding the said Evans, or for
any other improper purpose; and it Is asserted