Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-04-22
THE DISTRICT INVESTIGATION,
Proteedisss Of The Joint Congressional Committee

The District Investigating Com mittee yester-
day Re called VIM. Forsyth, surveyor Of the Dis
uict of Columbia.
Witness testified that he made all the esti-
macs OF work charged against the government
In conjunction with Mr.. Same; was with Me-
Same all the time in measuring up such work;
the charges az tinst the United States were
based on the prices Of the board; Mr.. Oertley
at their full cost to the United States; the com
putati0ns were made by MIR. Oertley; he was
more familiar with the cost and prices of sewer
work than witness was; witness pointed out To
Sano what was properly to be measured and
charged against the United States; the prices
OF the board for grading and paving, Sc, were
the prices given to Same; witness may have
assisted in making up the computations, or
some OF them; witness don't know how Oertley
got at the prices for sewer work; Mr.. Osrtley was
generally along with witness and Sam) when
the work chargeable to the United States was
measured up; witness was present at Rawlins
square; the ground was covered with snow;
witness discovered that cObblestone pave
ment there had been measured in
as concrete; made the discovery in making
the 18th street assessment in November last
and at once notified Same, who corrected the
error; witness only did what he believed was
right In these matters. and believes he is gen
orally correct; II there are any errors thew were
not purposely made; the custom is to GO along
and make the measurements of governme mt
work, and then Mr.. Oertley puts the prices 10
in accordance with the rates fixed Dy the board:
all the assessments are made upon data fur
nished by the auditor OF the board, who, in
turn, gets his Data from the returns made to
him from the engineers office; witness meas
ured part of the work on New Hampshire ave
nue.; the amount of grade in that street was
partly made from measurement of grades aud
fills, and partly from the graduation book in wit
ness office; witness never knew OF any cross
sections being made in that street; never saw
any; Mr.. Barney made cross sections, and often
furnished witness with quantities; if an error OF
one third in quantity were discovered witnes.
would not suppose 1t designed, but would ac-
count it an error; If there were many such, ana
they should always be against the District and
in favor OF the contractor would believe they
were mistakes.
Witness was closely questioned with reference
to an estimate submitted to Congress uoon
which was based an appropriation OF 81 24O. p00
Governor Shepherd explained lat that lite 70
only purported to be An estimate of what would
be the proportion payable by the government OF
the United States The amount of work
tually done by the board at that time for the
United States exceeded the appropriation by
Ss0,0c0, as the records of the Treasury depart
ment show.
by MIR. Domaine relative TO a space between NJ
and n streets and Connecticut avenue and 18th
street and New Hampshire avenue, which were
james A. Magruder being recalled, pro
treasurer of the board.
TO-day's Session.
The committee was called to order to-day at
twenty minutes 10 cloven O'CLOCK.
ColoHel James A. Magruder was recalled to
testify with reference to a copy of list OF
checks left with the committee, taken from the
stubbs of check books in his possession. He
also explained bus manner OF keeping accounts
and mode of making payments.
BY Mr.. Jewett:-Had you any authority 10
determine whether you would pay a creditor OF
The government in whole or in part? A. No,
had no particular authority; the board had es-
tablished no regulation about it.
Mr.. Jewett.-Mr. Magruder, please bring TO
the committee your check and pass book, an
stubbs OF your checks.
Mr.. Msgruder.-DO you want them now? n
Yes, sir.
Witness retired and went for the books
MIR. Christy offered in evidence a portion of A
report made by WIN. Chase to Mayor Emery.
with reference to wood pavemsnts Inspected by
him In western and eastern cities, AMI which
submitted to the old boards of aldermen
and common council OF the city of Washington
He said it was referred to a committee on when
the present Governor had the honor to serve in
that body, The report takes the groun!
generally that wood pavements inspected hy
him in several of tue cities we're fail ares, an
condemns the treatment OF wood by the iron-
izlng and burnetizing processes.l
be also offered the journal of the 6Sth council
to show that Albert Gleason's contract for para
ing h street was at S1.i0 per tree, iucIudinI
proper supports; also to remove the trees in cass
they should fail to grow.
Mr.. Christy called attention to a statement in
the report OF the Board of Public Works of 1876.
showing that the board had paid for trees and
tree boxes So.
H. c. Evans sworn.-Q. You may state the
extent to which John o. Evans has been ell
gagged in business with the Board of Public
Works? A. do not know; kept his books
with reference to some wood pavement and all
Of the asphalt pavement; know Mr.. GRADES:
he has been in Mr.. Evans employ a number of
years; he kept the book. pertaining to Mr..
Evans private bu'iness; Thomas p. Morgs1
was clerk in the Office; Crabbs, Morgan and
myself kept all the books Of which 1 have
knowledge for John y. Evans.
Tha hn.lr I~l~-
relating TO wood and asphalt pavement
q. We're you present during the examination
OF john .. Evans. A. was not; the books he
submitted to the com mittee are there, [indica-
ting the books in Mr.. Christys hand
q. Who was interested in the business record
60 In those books? A. Hallett Kilbourne, John
.. Evans and Lewis Clephane; don't know OF
any agreement having been made between
these parties with reference to their respective
interests; have no statement OF profits ami
losses; the business is not yet settled.
Evans with MIR. Teemyer. A. No, sir; those
books were kept at Mr. Evans other office, and
before L came in his employ in ISL:
By. BY mr. Jewett:-Q. Who kept the cash &C
q: Did you re ceive and deposit the money?
A. Not all of it; have made deposits; all the
payments in cash were made by me.
q. Did you keep the books from knowledge
OF the transactions or from memoranda handed
you! A: The payments were all made from
my own knowledge; of course memoranda with
felation 10 his transactions with the board were
handed me.
@ Did the partners meet in your Office and
discuss business matters? A. No, sir.
Mr.. Christy called the attention OF the COM
mlttee TO the apparent newness OF the books.
MIR. Harrington said in the absence of Judge
Black, he should object to the books being in-
spected by any but the committee and counsel.
Mr.. Columbus Alexander (who had been look
ing at the books).-I am an expert in books.
Mr. Harrington Let them call you and swear
you then.
Mr.. Chrsty.-We perhaps will.
By Mr.. WilsOn:-Mr. Evans commenced his
wood pavement work in July, 1871; the concrets
work commenced some time after, in the fall
and then both books were kept on together, but
in separate sets.
z. Have you ever seen any books, papers, or
memoranda appertaiuing TO the BUSINESS th at
yen have not brought here? A. No, sir; not
that know of.
Q. Why have these books not been closed up?
A The business has not been closed.
=. Is there anything on these books that will
snow results up to this time-anything that will
snow the cost per square yard Of wood or con-
crete pavement? A. No, sir. Have no memo
rsnda IN my possession which will show the cost
per square yard.
q. Did yOu make settlements with the en-
pioyes OF John y. Evans? A. Yes, SIR; the
money passed through my hands; our bank &C
count was Kept at the First National Bank; L
WAS not authorized to Sign checks; have not
han -