Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-04-10


grade as much as the balance OF the squares
have mentioned.
BY Mr.. Harrins toni made ms calculation
by mere esumste-not by Measurement vita
Instruments.
Witness was requested to bring HIS estiins.e-
of the grading made by him, when a superin
teudcnt Of the Board OF Pubic Works, on Penn
silyania avenue, from lst TO 18th street, aid
from 9th to 9Th street.
ENGINEER BARNEY.
I. l.. Barney, sworn.-Don'I rec0llect hJN
many yards of grading Peter McNsm dld uu
ftnnsy lvsnta avenue east-the vouchers WI
t'll. vouchers shown wItnes-.l The assTs-
gate amount OF grading done OR PennsylyAD's
tnue, between LIST street and Sh street et>,.
If '2zl6 cubic yards, including government Fr.-
tfNatOns; gave my personal attention to tlis
grsdlpg, because controversy arose between
feter Mcnamara and myself; made a oOBtJu.
OF the ground before tue work commenced.
after II Was done went over the ground AMI
VtIlned the measurements. In measuring tn.
wood pavement Tor DeGoiyer aud McCltliau
dld not deduct any thing for tie price OF graf
ing.
street, between 9th and 18th streets.
Witness said the work was measured and re
turned the same as any other work; the con
tractor was Lot satisfied; MIR. Willard sent for
he and told me give him an estimate OF ali the
excavation; DID SO; he then told me 10 make
the same allowance in the voucher as had been
done for MT Nanderberg on street; parties
summer before last were put to work before tn-
engineers got on the grou nd; there was 80 much
wOIk going on that In some instances the con
net1's dt paTtmeDt were able TO get the contour
OF the street and cross sections.
=. Was IL possible then for you to accurately
measure that work? A. We did the best We
could; OF course the land marks would help u;
we had no cross sections on North Carolina We
nue., between LIST and 18th streets there are not
many such cases about the city.
q. What streets were there where there we're
TWO contractors, one TO do the grading and tae
other lay the pavement? A. LIST street, eth
sueet, ION street, 18th street, and 18th street;
m her fhsa AVN nfra,.
were allowed for all bat the two feet OF r aiding
v. D1d you ever make measurements that
were rejected, and another engineer make
larger measurements which were accepted
a. don't RENE mber any such case. Witness
explained that some difficulty did arise with
reference TO a grading contract on Msssschl-
eetls avenue east; that no accurate measure
ment could be mace on account of the cross
sections being destroyed. The matter Vas
finally referred TO arbitrator; one was a sworn
me2kurer In the architects office of the Treas
ury; Arthur Shepherd was one, and / think Mr
Ssno was referee. They disagreed, believe.
any way, the matter was subsequently referred
10 boafC to assess damages, of which Thomas
Nj. Plowman and others were members
Gov. Shepherd.-i will state that when I
heard my brother was one of the arbitrator L
would rot allow him to serve.
witness resUming The dispute was setrlei
relieve, by returning los, 900 yards OF grading
had estimated something over 10000 yards;
con see where 1850 yards could have come
from In the streets and squares under dispute
BY MIR. WilsoD:-A profile Was made of the
Holk on street, between the Patent office ard
Post offlce before the grading commenced:
lave also the cross sections; there would be no
trouble IN accurately measuring that work
q. DO you know where the earth came fnom
that was filled In the canal? A. No, don't. IL
came from all sections OF the city some from New
York avenue presume was hauled into the
canal; on Massachusetts, avenue believe some
was gotten which went into the canal: don't
know where tue earth came from which filed
up l5th street, from Il street to the avenue nor
where 1t came from to fill 18th street, between
me same squares; when came here 1t WAS 3
general dumping ground.
By Mr.. Hsrrington:-The measurements of
lhe cutting on street, between 5th aud eth
streets, were never made; the work Was done
made the cross sections as soon as could the
prices paid tor work by the Board OF Public
works, especially in grading, are very low;
were 10 hx the same to-day would increase the
rate twenty Per cent.
At twenty minutes after twelve the commit
tee took recess until o'clock
AT half past O'Clock Mr.. Allison announced
that, az members of the committee on the par;
OF the House were engaged in voting on import
ant financial matters, the committee wouId
stand adjourned until Monday morning, at 10
O'Clock.
LETTER FROM SAMUEL STRONG.
The following letter was received by the
chairman OF the committee yesterday afternoon
WAsHINGToN, ID. c., April 9Th, 1874
Hon. W. B. Allison, Chairman Incesti0a.iao Com
Baittee Of DtStrict Of Columbia:
Dear Sir: have Just returned from ALBANY
gone down the river TO my plantation, and can
not return until Sunday next He has MANY OF
my papers, and although they are all private
Paner, YET am perfectly willing that your
ccmnittee should see them, although 1 can
assure them they contain nothing duplicating
any member OF the Board OF Public Works
os In D. regard to the check left at Mr.. Clarke
beg to state that have refreshed nv memory.
and rem mber that Mr.. Cook declined to receive
IL ior the reason that Mr.. Brownies name was
Z. al ha Un
IL was DESTROYED.
In regard to the check given to Col. Same.
would state that had deposited a certified
check for 81 1000, with bid to lay q water main,
for friend as security for the faithful lexecu-
ton OF the contract II awarded TO him. The
contract having been duly executed, wrote
requesting MIN tn see Gov. Cooke or the proper
official and have my certified check returned TO
me. Tie next morning received letter from
Col. Same saying he had done as L req uested
but as IL was only the performance OF an Official
duty, he could not accept compensation ffo,s
me, and returned the check. MY reason for
desire any gentle man to do me an unofficial ser
vice without compromising him for his time and
trouble.
have never given any money or any reward
of any nature to any member Of the Board of
Public orks or any officer connected there
with, or to any person whatsoever, to obtain a
contract or influence decision Of the board
and defy any one TO show that have
In conclusion, beg to request that il your
honorable committee desire my further attend
apce, that they will notify me when 10 appear.
and also notify me what Is desired to be proven
oy me, thst can come prepared with all neces-
sary papers and memoranda
have the honor to be your obedient servant,
SAh'L STRONG, PA LIST street southeast.
THE PENNSYLVANIA AND NORTHERN CEN
TRIAL RAILRoADs.-The adjourned meeting of
the stockholders of the Northern Central rail-
road reassembled In this city yesterday Mr..
j. Don Cameron, president of the company.
submitted the offer Of the president of the PENN
sylvania railroad to lease the road on the basis
or six per cent. on the capital stock. A motion
to reject this proposition was adopted by large
majority. The appointment OF committee was
authorized to examine into the affairs of the
company, to negotiate with the Pennsylvania
railroad with regard to q lease or guarantees of
dividends, and TO report to an adjourned meet
ing the result OF the investigation and negoti-
atoms. President Cameron offered q motion
authorizing the Northern Central company TO
negotiate FOR consolidated mortgage loan OF
ten millions Of dollars, to be used In providing
Tor EXISTING mortgages and debts on It's property
and franchises, and for such terminal and other
facilities, improvements aud equipmepts a. may
DC necessary. After prolonged and amin ated