Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-03-31
THE DISTRICT INVESTIGATION.
Proceedings Of the !sist Congressional Committee.

After our report of the District investig alton
closed yesterday +. +. II. Fsehtz was further
examined with reference to the Sd street CON-
tract. No new facts were elected.
Eli Lake, said TO be an expert at soddiny, tes-
tilted that sodding cost altogether according u
the condition of the ground, and that he had
Been paid as high as LIS per square yard. The
specifications OF the board Tor this class of work
as then re adj to witness and he said he would
not do the class of sodding therein described for
less than seventy five cents. 1t could not be
done fer less in order to enable any one to make
money.
Mr. Huestis was recalled, and testified tn
he would do such tagging as is done around the
city for G5 cents per foot. Witness e-inad
what tagging laid by the Board of Puuii.
Works he would do at that price.
Geo. Cliff testified with reference to the brick
used in the Il street sewer, but nothing ne la
relation thereto was developed other than Ia st
testified to by other witnesses.
Cbas. A. Fox testihei with reference to the
assessments on property for special improve
ments on 4'h street east.
Louis Huper. an expert, testified that it is
worth IS to 80 cents to set tree boxes, which did
additional He said such boxes Is were now put
up by the board were worth Si.15 piece.
John P. lid testified with reference to the
change OF grade near the p street circle. He
said be once owned the Stewart property. AMI
If he had left very well alone he would not have
sold il.
Ii. V. Coulton testified that he had contract
for putting up wooden fencing; that Frank
Smith furnished him with the money to carry
on the work; thinks the whole of his work
amounted to $50 900; that he got &c cents foot
for all but two streets; that Mr.. Smith drew the
money for the work under power OF attorney
signed by witness.
Q. How came you to get this contract? A.
Like other persons that were out Of work and
wanted to get work.
Q. VINO first suggested this thing to you? A
Well, common sense, think.
q. Who hrst suggested this thing to you? A.
1t was my own reason It taught me that fencing
should be done,
suggested anything of the kind to me,
prompted me in putting up the fencing. further
than have already stated, that have been IA
sisted by means furnished. L was the inventor
Of the fence, if you want that.
O. lis there any patent on IL? a. No, sir; NOT
at present.
Q. Did you have no understanding whste yer
with Mr.. Smith as to what division OF profit VA
10 be made between you? A. No, cir; we never
have settled on anything of the kind; there Wa
not anything definite.
q. Was there any understanding at all? \
There was nothing definite.
Witness explained at length the manner III
which the fencing done by him was ret. fteI
examining the witness with reference to Mr.
Smiths connection with and interest in his con
tract witness vas directed TO bring all his b Iok-
al papers In connection Herewith before the
committee.
Thomas o. Day was called and gave test.
mOny with reference to sodding. He said he re
ceived 20 cents yard and did work for a-sfr
Fletcher. In reply to the question, "Wnere
ent places-dOwn by the Observatory, and all
around where could get il. Getting sod is the
same as man going fshing-some days he
gets bunch, and some days he would not get
any. The police would be after him all around
town.
Q. You took good days for fishing? A. Yes
cir; some days you might make good b All ,
aid some days might get none.
By Mr.. Thurman:-Q. Then you do not pay
for your sod? A. No, sir; il L did L could not
dc II for that price.
TO.day's Session.
The committee was called to order this morn
ing at half past ten O'Clock.
Mr.. SAM. STRONG EXAMINED.
Samuel Strong swOrn:-Was subrenaed as a
witness on the DIST of March: could not appear
before on account OF i'll health.
Mr.. Christie:-We desire to examine witness
with regard to any contracts he may have exc
cuted since the organization OF this committee
q. How many contracts have you had with
the Board OF Public Works? A. think eight,
sir
q. When were they executed? A Can't tell
the dates, the principal contr acts we're executed
before commenced the work. Slash run was
the first; then the Il street intercepting sewer:
then took an outlet from that on circular No.
!; then took the Boundary street sewer; ali
these contracts were executed before | COM
menced the work
@. Were any OF these contracts executed af-
ter the completion OF the work? A. There was
some little alteration III the 9th street sewer
and was called upon to amend il.
q. Have you executed any contracts recently
with the Board OF Public Works? A. No, sir
not TO my recollection. All the contracts were
executed before the work WAS done; built u
street interceptiDg sewer from 18th to 18th
street; did all the work.
By Mr.. Merrick.-Sighed no contracts at all
recently with the Board OF Public Works; signed
for job OF $500 or $500 the latter part OF de-
cember last; when was sent for saw contrac-
tors amending their contracts; saw Mr.. Gleason
and Mr.. Conway in Mr. Motifs room in the
Morrison building.
why not call Mr.. Mott, the contract clerk?
Witness resuming:-Was not called upon three
weeks or more ago to execute contracts or fur
nlsh b0nds-not To my recollection.
By MIR. ChriStie:-Couldri't tell who gave "a
bordsmen on my amended contract; il va,
amended between one and two months ago.
=. Do you preserve the stubs OF che checks
you Pay out? A. Sometimes do; sometimes
meet gentleman in the street owe, and give
a check without stub; in any deliberate trans
actions preserve the stubs or checks.
z. Did you not give to VIM. A. Cook a eek
for about the sum of s. 900, or any amount?
a: nave; he Is my attorney; the stubs are al
my house.
Mr. Christie asked him to produce the tabs.
He said they were infor med that for a purpose
he gave to VIM. A. Cook a check in which A.
*. Browne was interested. He did not know,
but thought he could connect the check with
decision rendered by VIM. A. Cook.
witness resCmiDg:-Never gave VIM. A. Cook
check to Interest himself in contracts for nae;
all money paid him was as attorney to piesi
represent me before the District government.
witness was directed to produce the stubs
OF the checks before the committed
witness then explained how he was to be
compensated for the X street sewer; the con
tract was originally let to John Chapman; he
got Up as Tar IS 9th street when | commercial;
never agreed to take q certain price per lineal
foot; Lad done 403 feet before L executed a con-
tract; had pipe contract running up NJ street
a short distance and turning up New York
avenue; had contract to supply curb to the
board; 1t was subsequently cancelled; man
named Lockwood succeeded in my Interest,"
don't know what he gave me for 1t; assIguru
the contract to lockwood aud he was to paw
me percentage; Mr.. Lockwood Is of the firm
OF Lockwood & Bros, of New York city; Mr..
LockwoOd's agents in the Treasury department;
don't know his name; had no interest i'm any
other contract not executed in my name.
By Mr.. WilsOD:-The X street sewer work
done by me was 6S8 feet-made out my bill for
SO, co., there Is q dispute about the work; have
It ceived tor the work 81 900 in certificates did
not sign the contract for the work recently;
never had any original contract; went to work
not knowing what 1 was to receive; worked
tour weeks and did 403 feet before any under
standing as to price was entered into; then made
an arrangement that the time was to be kept
and the sewer was to be paid for on the basis OF
IT'S COST was to take IL at Is per cent. over and
above the cost; the arrange ment was made be-
tween Mr.. Cluss, Mr.. willard and myself; when
that arr angement was made, think entered
into the cor tract.
Mr.. Harringten:-The fifteen per cent. over