Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-04-21
THE DISTRICT INVESTIGATION,
Proceedings Of The Joint Congressional Cannitte.

conclusion Yesterday Proceedings
After recess yesterday in the District Inyes-
tigsting Committee, Wright Rives was rec .lled
and testified that he had made matthew sticsl
statements in reference to Bladensburg road
since he testified q few DAYS ago. The wit
ness here read a statement showing that tn
contract for this road was awarded TO +. {
crew ey on an estimate OF 81 900; since thei
road; that the contract was subsequently
taken from Crowley and given to j. V. W
Nandenburgh, who was not q bidder aud haq
not applied for II; the estimate of Van
denburgh was SO 600; that of Schneider ioI
cuiveIts was g, 600; the prices were not fixed
under the agreement with Vandenburgh. but
Ie1t with the engineer TO fix; that the contract
was not signed until long after the work had
been completed, and that the road cost alto
gether S33 ,6241S; the Governors answer states
the total cost OF the road at upwards of S62 600
and upon this represented Cost the property
owners along the line OF the road are taxed for
the improvement.
The witness stated that vandenburgh got co
cents yard for excavation, while Crowley only
got Is cents yard for similar work. Vanden.
buTsh also got cent haul for the first 100 feet
of haul.
The Chairman.-whatk kind of excavation was
this-what kind of CLAW?
The witness did not know.
The Chairman.-I see the contract mentions
three kinds of clay, the hard clay being 60 cents
yard.
The witness continuing, stated that portion
OF the road Is now in a very bad condition; the
ARCH NJ I2le second Culvert Il now giving Way:
the witness thinks he could have IN ade that road
better than il IL now for the sum of $4,000
BY Mr. Mattingly:-It was stated that Grow
ley the hrst contr actor, refused to pay his hands
eral letters to Mr.. Shepherd to urge that the
work be completed; before the contract was let
TO crowley witness wrote to the board request
ing that IL be placed in good condition; witness
agreed with Carpenter, the engineer, in rela-
ton to the reduction of grades but never az IN
the extent to which the grades were reduced;
the government has reform school on this
road, and they damaged the road a great deal
oy hauling the bricks for the building over il
when IL was in green state; on Louisiana ave-
nue., between 9Th and 10th streets, the board
CHARGED the United States over 81 900 more
than the proper amount due by the government
for the work done there.
The witness also showed that by his meas
uremenfs there are anumber OF discrepancies i'm
measurements or work done in front OF Oyern-
ment property, and also in prices the govern
ment being charged a greater price than the
tax payers
William Forsyth, recalled, testified in rels-
ton to his map of Washington and in response
to interrogatories by Mr.. Wilson, stated that
there were spaces formed by intersections of
avenues with streets which were not laid down
on his map as government reservations. but
which were really such reserv ATOMS though
not SO designated. The witness was interro-
gated at length concerning has emoluments as
a surveyor aBd engineer, and stated that his
salary As Surveyor OF the District was - 900
ard as Assistant Engineer OF the Board 50 Gao
anu lDat ne gets lees Tor work for indi viduals
The witness stated, also. that he has a son al
81 500. one at 81 800, and one at 81 200: also a
SON in.law at 81 800 year, employed under the
board OF Public Works. The witness having
oeen SHOWN a table OF the cost of East Capitol
street stated that he measured up the sidewalks
ana sewer on that street; great deal Of curb
stone was set in this street, which was after
WaId taken mp and removed and other curb put
in its place; a number of changes of this kind
were made In the street; witness don't knog
what was done with the curb which was re-
moved.
committee adjourned.
The committee had not been called to order
up TO ten minutes of three O'Clock this o. m,