New-York tribune., 1874-05-08
THE DISTRICT INVESTIGATION.
Gov SHEPHERD AGAIN ON THE sTAND-A GENERAL
AND PARTICULAR DENIAL OF TIE CHARGES
AGAINST THE BOARD.

GOV. SHEPHERD AGAIN ON THE sTAND-A GENERAL
AND PARTICULAR DENIAL OF TIE CHARGES
AGAINST THE BOARD.
GENERAL PRESS DIsPATCH.1
WASHINGTON, May I'm the District Inves-
tgation to-day, Gov Shepherd was on the stand untii
the hour OF adjournment, and will be crossexamineo
tomorrow When asked II he had knowledge Of any
conspiracy to secure and control contracts, as get
forth in the first charge q the memoriaiSs, he an
swered have no knowledge OF any conspiracy, nor
do 1 believe there any. The contracts were
awarded to the parties set forth on account OF ther
business standing and their ability 10 do the work TO
the satisfaction OF the Board of Public Works. The
meeting OF contractors not private The doors were
open and the crowded. Circulars to be In at
tendance sent ordered TO be sent to every con
tractor who bid The reason schedule OF prices was
established was because II was the most economical
means, it prevented straw bids and imaginary
claims for additional reward secured the award OF the
work TO responsible men, and prevented contractors
from delraudng their The subject was thoroughly
canyassed at the Board and 1t was unanimously agreed
that 1t was the best way do the work. and secure re-
spousble parties to do it. All responsible parties who
wanted work got it. The Government OF the United
States does work IN this way The Capitol was built on
percentage paid to the parties who did the work.
The Governor submit ed the prices paid for work In
New-York, Philadelphia. Boston, and Baltimore,
authenticated by the officers in charge OF the work IN
in the cities enumerated Among other items II was
claimed that the De Goyer pavement In 1871 cost New
York City s. per square yard and that brick sidewalks
in Philadelphia cost 81 25 per square yard the price OF
the same pavement having been fixed By the Board at
so cents per yard
In TO interrogatory as TO the action OF the
Board of Public Works with reference to treating wood
for pavements and concrete paVements he said: The
Board advertised proposals for treating wood The
bids opened Sept so 1872 in the presence OF the
ADVISORY Board. All the different processes
were submitted to two chemists in the en-
plOy OF the Surgeou-G General. They recon-
mended, lst, creosote; I'd Burnetizng; and Sd, the
samuel's process. The Advisory Board recommended
the LAYING OF concrete pavement wherever 1t was ad-
visable TO lay concrete. 81 will say that the people
were preiudced concrete, but the prejudice Is
pradua nv wearing away" He testified that De Golyer
a Mcclellan allowed to lay additional Yards or
pavement after having been stopped, on certlncate
iron the Board Public Works OF Chicago that the DE
Goyer pavement laid in that city, as far as III au peen
tested was good He did not think, at the prices
paid the firm they could afford TO pay bonus OF s9soOo
to secure contract 10 do good work. and he did
not know such bonus had been paid or lie would not
have allowed "a foot OF 10 TO be laid.
Judge Thurman cross-eXamined the witness with
reference debt OF the District but was interrupted
by members Of the Committee on the part OF the House
being called away to vote on the Centennial BILL
The witness will be crOss-exdmDcd tomorrow, when
1t is expected tue District Governmentwil rest It's case