Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-04-03
THE DISTRICT INVESTIGATION.
Proceedings Of the Joint Congressional Committee

After our report of the District Investigation
closed yesterday, G. F. Wollard was called, and
testified that Samuel Strong and witness father
were special partners in the Slash run sewer,
work; that witness kept the books. The books
were produced and inspected, but not being the
ones called for, witness was discharged, with
the understa ndiDg that his father was TO be So %
mOned as q witness.
W. Z. Mott, contract clerk for the Board OF
Public Works, testified that probably thirty
contracts had been signed by Gov. Cooke re
Gently. The contracts thus signed had pre-.
viously been signed by other members OF the
Board of Public Works, and Gov Cookies sig
nature was obtained to complete the same. The
only object in completing contracts after the
work is done is to hold good the clause which
requires contractors to keep in repair work
done by them for three years.
&. +. WOilard was recalled, and explain "a
the erasures and torn leaves in books produced
bS him for the committees inspection, with ref.
eTence to his fathers interest in certain con
tracts with Samuel Strong.
George w. Linville testified that John O.
Evans became Interested with him in the Sd
street contract. and proceeded substantially
follows:-Mr. FaehtZ had the contract. under
stood he had lost some three thousand dollars
aud was sick in bed, unable to COON. 1 went to
see him, and found him very sick indeed. was
the fret person who had been admitted for sew.
eral DAYS to zee him. After talking, he said he
had expended all the money he had himself
and all his friends. He wished to dispose of il;
could not 20 on with it, and could not finish it.
Al
yard, assuming the payment of the material
manufactured and on the ground, purchase the
material then on the wharf, for which he was
to pay, according to the notes he had given, he
would dispose Of 1t to me. l went and consulted
with Mr.. Evans, and he told me to close 1t, ad-
vanced money Tor me. and closed the contract
and went on. took up what he had done, used
the material In another place, paid for the raw
material, and finished the work.
Daniel Connolly testified that he sold surplus
earth to Mr.. Clark, Architect of the Capitol
fro tah hau
carrying out a contract for "A OGDEN pavement.
That he sold 81 900 worth; that the board found
hum out. cancelled the contract, and charged
him with 20 loads of earth. He subsequently,
regained his contract under the promise not to
again sell earth. Witness testified that under
Mayor Bowen contractors always disposed OF
surplus earth IOr their personal advantage.
Riley A. ShinD was next examined with ref
ereDce to work done in Georgetown. His evil
dence was immaterial.
TO.day's Session.
The committee was called to order this morn.
ing at quarter before II o'clock.
Edward CLARK, sworn.-Is architect of the
Capitol; witness submitted a staten ent show
ing the amounts paid and to whom for earth
deposited on pubic grounds since February n,
1871; the earth came in some instances from
streets; the great bulk OF il came from the hills
around the Providence Hospital; some came
from b street south, and some from LIST street
east; the dirt from Providence Hospital wac
transported by man named Stafford; his bill
private property; gave 10 cents to transport it,
without questioning where it came from; pre-
sumed the contractor had the disposal OF the
earth; nave had grading done; paid in one in
stance 80 cents a yard the newly acquired
square south OF the Capitol was graded for
S2,4oO; 1t contains about II 1000 yards; think
grading is worth from 80 TO 40 CENTS for taking
of the crest OF New Jersey avenue paid 421
cents per yard; Ii was a macadamized road;
think 40 cents an average price for grading
streets, intending An average haul; haul of
N feel hn
thinks 40 cents yard TOR grading with haul
OF go feet an unreasonable price; could get it
done for less; there is government reservation
near Providence hospital; Stafford did get some
earth from reservation No. II; when it was dis
covered he was stopped reservations have been
made at the teIsection of certain Streets don't
ment reservations; have had Belgian pavement
laid around the north side of the Capitol; laid
Belgian granite pavement 80, 900 yards south of
the Capitol; paid 50 10 for the pavement on the
north side and S279 fer the pavement on the
south side; Daniel Neitzy was the contractor;
the work was let to him as the lowest bidder:
the contract did not carry with it any grazing;
have had considerable experience in the matter
Of Tagging; have paid five cents for jointing and
laying; the tagging laid by the Board OF Pub
lie Works In some instances has been cut aud
dressed; what witness has laid Is just as 1t came
from the quarry; addressed tagging is worth As
cents; dressed tagging Is worth IS or 80 cents
per foot; Seneca tagging is not as durable as
per foot for Seneca fagging; have offers now
for the same work at rs cents have had some
experience in sodding; have noticed this class
Of work done by the Board OF Public Works;
such sodding As is done by them paid Is cents
per yard for last season; II no soil Is put under
the sod it would be worth about 20 cents.
2. What would sod be worth with inches of
per yard; have noticed sodding done by the
board that has been well done, and some that
has been done in an inferior manner.
Gross, examined by Mr. Mattingly. Don't
under my direction; had at one time contract
with Pat Cullinane; he transferred it; don't
know why he did; heard the party to whom he
MADE the transfer complain that he lost money
By Mr.. wison:-Paid 70 cents per foot for
strsight curb, and Is cents per foot for inch
circular curb for setting alone.
A note, signed by A. X. Browne, on the back
OF business card, in favor of Sam'l Strong for
$50 was presented to the committee by one Mr.
Boyd, and inspected by the members.
Mr.. Clark was recalled and testified that he
thought the money expended in front of Wallis
opera House, for parks, was a judici0us ex-
Ienditure; that In point Of Identification it was
Col. Magruder recalled:-A. X. Browne is a
member Of the District Council; have noticed In
newspapers that he is attorney for the Board OF
Mr.. Harrington:-we admit that he Is attor-
ney of the health board
Witness resumihg:-Don't know hew long A.
K: Browne has had his Office on N street.
Mr.. Christy offered in evidence certain por-
tions Of the testimony Of Lewis S. Filbert, found
in the Starkweather report. He said the testi-
mony showed that Filbert had laid a concrete
pavement on Coates street, in Philadelphia; he
desired to offer evidence showing that con-
crete pavement had never been laid on that
street.
Mr.. Christy made an inquiry with reference
to non resident witnesses.
Mr.. Allison stated that arrangements could
be made TO have them attend.
A. q. Humphrey recalled Witness stated
that he wanted to correct his testimony with
reference to the time he was reported as being
in the fencing business; that he had been in It
20 years, and not years as reported.
wright Rtvee eworn:-Witness testified with
reference TO work done ON the Bladensburg
road; all be knew about 1t was what was con-
tanned In the report of the Board of Public
Works; don't think the road has been drained
properly or Sufficient gravel put down; the
gravel should have been screened; the road Is
not in the condition 1t should DO for the amount
OF money expended upon il; witness complained
that the cost exceeded the estimate submitted
to the legislature; the road has been excayated
In some places eight feet, and there IL nlling Of
ten feet; witness pettioned for the repair OF the
rOso, and the legislature appropriated about
The committee at twelve O'Clock took recess
uutn two p. m.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The committees reassembled at ten minutes
past O'Clock.
L. ID. Merchant WA svorn and sta,aa that