The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-09

The Investigation OF the Acts OF the
District OF Columbia Board OF Public
Works-Contracts Imperfectly FULFILLED
and the Treasury Cheated I'm the Lay
Ing OF Pavement.
WASHINGTON. April g, 1874.
In the District investigation to-day Mr.. o. H.
Quimby, OF Chicago, was examined with reference
to the durability OF the De Golyer and Mcclellan
wood pavement No. Q, which was laid under his
superintendence on Pennsylvania avenue and on
other streets In this city. Ae testified that the
pavement was maud ana humbug, but that it
was not discovered by him to be such until his at
tention was subsequently called to Lake street. In
Chicago. which was in all stages OF decay. When
witness made the discovery he came on to WASH
ington. bringing with him one or two Of the de-
cayed blocks. He went to see Mr.. Shepherd, and
called his attention to the fact that the blocks were
worthless and that It was time that the people
Mr. shepherd said it did not take great deal OF
argument to convince the Board OF that TACT.
issued by the Board OF Public WORKS stopping the
use Of the blocks altogether but that he had reason
to believe the order was resctnded because he saw
wards. He testified that the pavement cost 81 80
per square yard, and was very profitable to the
He was shown the items rendered By De GoIyer
Mcclellan for grading. When asked II ne thought
the grading charged for had been done by
grading had been done the wood pave
ment was worthless one because Of the
was shown to him in his crosse Examination which
he Identified as having written to Governor
Shepherd, complaining OF the pavement. IN It an
0nuslon was made TO Hon. q. b. Farweu, OF
Chicago member OF Congress-.
subsequently that gentleman appeared before
effect that in september last ne was called upon at
MS place q business IN sncago py Mr. Mcclellan
m nono
work at washington and tn they had
n 5e city ~ %nsn tSsS Wished Sp TSe9
would not ask Tor any more contracts but would
leave the city. witness said he came, without fee
or consideration, from Chicago at his own ex-
pense, and had a conference with Governor Shep-
use up what wood they had on hand In Washing
ton and he assented. The witness had never heard
the McGolyer pavement criticised in Chicago,
where o great deal OF 1t had been laid When
Governor) said that some one had written
r re nS se a no wsHs ne osss
to be taken, unless the Governor received testl-
monials that satisfied hum that they were good
ones He did not know whether such testimonials
were furnished or not He had not c0nversed
with anybody since on the subject, and ne had no
complied with. He came here at great incon-
venience to simply obhge one or two Of his con-
sttuents who were interested.
tive 0nicer Of the Board OF Public Works. Was next
placed on the stand. He stated that Samuel
Strong, Q contractor. had submitted statement
to the Board Of Public Works asking tor settle
ment OF the differences between them since the
investigation began, and that Governor Shepherd
and Colonel Magruder had signed 1t, but that the
other three members OF the Board had refused, and
that the paper was then torn up.
Governor Shepherd explained by stating that
Mr. Harrington had handed the paper to him, tell
ing MIN that IL was proposition made by Mr..
Strong TO settle the difference existing between
him and the Board, and that there was nothing
Objectionable IN IT, He signed without examining
it, and sent 1t to the Board for their action; that
when 1t was read and considered in fun Board it
was unanimously rejected.
Mr.. Willard iurtner testified that he thought the
January interest on the $4,000, 900 loan was raised
In New York city by hypOthecating sewer bonds
Henry showers, who was yesterday requested to
examine Bridge street, Georgetown and ascertain
If John O. Evans treated the wood laid by him In
accordance with the contract, returned with q
specimen block, and testified that the wood was
ir0nized, but very imperfectly.
The evidence OF the Otner Witnesses examined
was untmpOrtant.