New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-05-28
THE DISTRICT INVESTIGATION.


CLOSE OF THE TFsTIHoNY-NEw REVELATIONS AND
Observation-Disclosures MEMBER OF THE BOARD
on THE Sandstone SIGNIFICANT ADMISSIONS
As TO THEIR MANNER OF CONDUCTING BUSINESS.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.i
WAsHINGToN. May 27.-Oue charge that was made
against the District Board of Public Works year
ago was that instead of establishing any rule in the
payment of their debts that should treat all their
creditors alike they paid the bills of certain favored
contractors in full ont of the millions Congress
appropriated while Others received nothing. TWAS
also charged that the Treasurer, Col. Magruder'
allowed certain persons to take the money belonging
to the Board buy up the Boards certificates, which
were selling at 80 and 40 per cent discount, and then
turn them in at face value. Some of the facts
brought out by the Committee of Investigation to-
day seem to sustain this last accusation.
On the 18th and 18th of July last Mr.. Magruder
drew upon the bank for 100000, the checks being
made payable TO George Baker, cashier &c. The
first entry of these checks that be found on Ma
gruders accounts was late in August, more than
month after when certain certificates were charged
as paid but the numbers of these certificates wore
entered on the stubs of the clerk IN different INK
from that in which the body Of the stub was writ
ten showing when the certificates first appear In the
account The most natural inference is that George
Baker had that money a month before he delivered
money was advanced to him to buy them up in the
market at the deprecated rates. In other words, II
is suspected that the Boards money was used to
shave the Boards paper and that the profits went to
some favorite THIS was the most important revela-
tons of todays testimony which closed the lnvestl-
CATION. The report of the Committee will be looked
for with much interest.
SEMI OFFICIAL DETAILS OF THE TESTIMONY.
WASHINGTON, May 27.-In the District lnves-
ugating Committee to-day, Attorne General Williams
appeared and denied that his lots graded at the ex
pense the Board OF Public Works, but testified that
the contractor who did work did upon mutual
understanding with Mr.. Williams that the dirt he Cd
tanned 10y the grading should be fun recompense.
Documents OF the Board Of Public Works were, however
produced showing portion OF the work done
paid for BY the Board The contractor who did the
work was called and testified that he removed from
Attorney General wiismss lots, 9s6 cubic yards Tor
which the Board had paid him s2,10 and that upward
OF 1850 stilI due. Both the Board and Mr.. VIII
Hams had refused TO pay.
DR. I. b. Blake a member OF the Board OF Pubic
Works, who was appointed September was called
and examined by Judge Wilson He testified that con-
tracts not being let because the Board had no
means. @. Had the means run out when you came IN
A. rather think they had. One Of the most annoying
things me is that not able TO pay our debts
When became member OF the Board FOUND II largely
ID debt, with no means 10 pay on.
q. Have'you any idea OF the extent OF the con-
tractors Indebtedness A. Not the remotest have
made 10 inquiries with reference to the Boards fnan-
eis condition.
q Has the Board ever taken any steps TO get at its
exact financial condition A. never have; such 'hiDgs
have never been laid before the Board Certificates
are still being issued, and measurements Of the work
are still being MADE.
O. You intended to straghten things out as soon as
You couldi A. Intended 10 straghten thugs out
soon as possible Mr.. Magruders accounts have never
been audited 1t one OF the things which struck
my attention The Auditors certificates were regarded
~ checks Treasurer, who paid them in such funds
az he had. Well 1 thought that was loose way Of
doing business. thought the Auditors Office should
be revised by Controller who should be Law officer In
addition 10 accountant.
O State whether not there In the system 10 vogue
cay check upon the Treasurer OF the Bosrdf A. don't
knew of any check on the Treasurer should not think
there was any check; there may be; DO not know.
Y There being no check. Is there any mode by which
the Committee get at his accounts other thah py
going through his entire vouchersf A. We'll. really,
cannot answer that question: don't know OF any way
TO get at his except BY going through the Audi
tors and Treasurers accounts in detail there Is no ac
count kept which would enable you al once To know
whether his accounts correct not.
Y You don't approve of the IN which this
has been donef A. No, Sir /; II had my way l would
have had a different arrangement
Were you aware that Mr. Magruder's ebeek * do not
esrrespoDd vita his reportsi A. No Sir
v H1eyea aware tba, NJ. G-xI saax yas prsssnt