Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-02-12
THE DISTRICT INVESTIGATION.
Opening Proceedings To-day.

trict OF Columbia and the Board of Audit of
said District, directed by q resolution OF the
House Of Representatives,, was commenced
this morning by the Committee on the Dis
tTict OF Columbia, Judge Buckner chairman.
The representatives OF the evening and
morning papers and the Associated Press,
were admitted. Among the auditors In the
committee room were Columbus Alexander,
DR.. Garrett, LIST Controller Taylor, Judge
Jere Wilson, Colonel Robert Christy, and
others.
THE FIRST WITNESS.
Dr. Garrett was first examined, and testi-
fed that Albert Gleason (contractor) was
under his professional care. He said that I'm
GleasOn's present condition OF health IL was
desirable that he should change his place of
living al much as possible Witness advised
him to go To California. To remain in Wash
lngton would not eudaDgeT his life, but il
would be beneficial for him 10 go away.
ALBERT GLEASON WANTED AS WITNESS.
This testimony was given because Gleason,
having been summoned as a witness, had
asked 10 be excused for a month, on account
OF his health, or that he be examined at once.
The chairman said that the questions upOn
which Ii was desired to interrogate Gleason
could not be prOpOunded until the answers
from the District Government to the inter-
Ioeatorles sent Them were received. He
thought that Mr.. Gleason should remain
here at least two weeks. He, however. stated
that he would submit the request 10 the full
committee.
THE time OF the committee from a quarter
before II until l2o'clock, was taken up with
the COrcoran square market question, men
TONED elsewhere.
THE HISTORY OF A LITTLE CLATH OF
MAURICE MURPHY :.
Maurice Murphy was then sworn and ex-
amIned by the ChaiTmaD:-Wltness testified
that he resided in the District. and was a
contractor, had contracts with the Board OF
Public WORKS to do work; don't remember
the numbers of all his contracts; remem-
bers number S5l-cth street northwest; nal
contract on Maryland avenue for grading.
Setting curb, graVeltng street and parking;
had completed the Maryland avenue con-
tract when the form of government WAS
changed; had not then completed the 9th
street contract; when the form OF govern
ment changed had claim against the Board
OF Public Works; put IL in Mr.. Lays hands
for collection in August, 1874; gave him
authority To collect for me whatever was due
me by the Board of Public Works. Mr. Lay
collected the amount due me, amounting t.
81 ~; the number Of the certificate was
No. 10.lll. Lay settled with me about the
last OF October, 1874; before I got the certih-
cate did not get the notice that tie
Board or Audit had claim against
me for Sl,s0O. j transferred my work
ON 9th street TO another party; when
l was settling mp with him L found
charged up To me 81 800 on account OF new
work was doing;it was claim of the B0arJ
OF Public Works charged up TO my new
work. / considered that my certificate ror
81 ,005.l1 settled up all my claims against the
board except cent and quarter per cubic
work. 1t was not allowed but still claim
| il. mentioned TO Lay d Co. that claimed
| IT; don't know whether they urged the mat
| ter; tod Mr.. Appel that claim il, but he
said the dates cut II out, that after a certain
| date one-hslf cent was allowed for haul.
About the 10th OF September last was down
| on 4 \ street and met Mr.. X. C.. Hewitt on
the sidewalk, he approached me ard sug
gested that there was something due me Oh
account of Old claims, some odds and ends.
l said there was as the board owed me for
1 nothing
| said didn't think there was" Said he AZ
will buy your claim" L replied IL was
| rather doubtful buy as the board would Mt
| allow it, He suggested 10 me that he would
| give me $500 in bonds for the claim. told
| him L hadn't time to talk about it then
| On the 23th OF September 1 met Hewitt
| on 4 street again. He said he would give
me 81 900 Ia 3.65 bonds for my claim. Said
| he: "1f you don't give me power of attor
| pey row. it won't be worth anything" add
/ ing that he had friends who would help him
VINO were soon going 10 New York, and IL
| didn't close the bargain then il would be
worth nothing TO him. 1 said: al will taKs
| same evening and brought young man
| named johnson with him, and gave him
power OF attorney, he giving me an order
/ for the bonds on Mr.. Dickson, and got the
bonds the next day. Ny claim sold to Hew
| lit included everything that might he be due
| me under the Board OF Public Works.
s7,25so1 oN A THOUSAND DOLLAR INVEST
| @. How much did YOU think you were
| making out of that?
A. didn't think / was making anything
out OF IL but the 1900; told Hewett it had
been disallowed by the Board OF Audit.
Q. How much die he get out OF your
| claim?
| A. Eight thousand two hundred and some
| 3oth OF September.
Q. Whowas with him The night he came
A. Charley Johnson; he is a clerk In the
| engineers Office; he took the Acknowledge
| ment OF the power OF attorney; he Is a Ger 4
there, and seemed TO have a good deal OF su-
| Board of Public Works.
| WITNESS was shown the bill Hewett put In
| The bill Included 4 cent "hau," for work
in Maryland avenue and extra price for
| brickfhe had finished. Witness said: never
| gave Hewett any bill TO collect, only power
| of attorney to collect whatever was due me,
| Hevett got the pay on my claim, should
| judge about the lst OF November or the last
| week in October. About a month or two
| Afterwards l saw Hewitt, and told him he
| collected what didn't belong to him and what
| didn't intend to sell. wanted my account
| straighten ed In some shape, and told MI.
District claimed that the a, 500 charged
| against me was allowed in the claim paid
| Hewett; when settled for my new work tn g
District charged me with the 81 500. HEWITT
| claim for nav work was presented on the
3Oth of September.
| q. What is Mr.. Hewetts business here; is
1
| A. He was formerly contractor. He is a
| newspaper man now. don't know whether
| he bought anybody else's claim. He did
| mine know. lLaughter.] 1t was claimed
was paid for work on 9th street i saw Mr..
| Oertley and he got some OF his assistants TO
| compare the two levels made He found
| there was some 81 600 due me, for which i
did not get credit on the charge of 81 500 made
| against me. Appel said he allowed Hewett
| too much on the brick pavement, SS63.i3.
Hewett refunded the amount to me in bonds
| last week. This is the only amount he has
refunded to me. Hewett said he refunded It
| on account Of q mistake made by the &C.
| countant.
| q. DID You claim any more?
A. No, did not, because 1 did not think
any OF il was due to me. The SSS3 was for
an overallowance made Hewett on account
OF brick pavement The board OF audit with
held the amount from me, and the only
money got was the original q 900 1rst paid
me. When Hewett nrst spoke OF buying mt
| claim / told him the board OF audit would
not allow Ii. After the transaction with
| Hewett, Appel told me there was nothing
due me. never regarded the claim Hewett
brought as Q valid one. ! think the differ
ence between three fourths of q cent and a
| cent and q half for the haul was the only
legitimate claim had.
Controller Taylor. who was present, said
he had no questions to ask the wi tness at
this time.
~ Ar Hewett 0ava vou mn roacon 70, ro,,-