The New York herald., 1876-03-09
THE PRESIDENTS BROTHER.

THE PRESIDENTS BROTHER.
EXTRAORDINARY DEVELOPMENTS ABOUT CON-
TRAcTs-wHAr oRvuLE GRANTS DENIAIs ARE
WORTH.
The Baltimore Gazette of the 7th inst states that
VILE Grant has for The past eighteen months held the
nominal position of a solicitor Tor Baltimore firm and
used his influence for a money consideration TO secure
to that house the inside track on contracts It
we'll known fact that for many years the large Bat-
more firms engaged in the manufacture OF steam heal
ing apparatus have been active competitors for govern
ment patronage, and among engaged this
branch OF business 1t is claimed that largo house
here enjoyed monopoly of government contracts
prior TO Mr. Bristows appointment as member of the
Presidents Cabinet The house alluded to, who have
at this moment in their employ the Presidents
brother is that OF Thomas c. Basshor Co. Thomas c.
Basshor and Wallace Stebbnsl engineers and manufac-
turers Of heating apparatus, and, while they acknow
edged that he regularly their pay roll at the
OF 81 400 per annum they explain that owing to the
manner in which government contracts for this
class Of work wero let prior 10 Mr. Bris
tow's appearance the scene OF action they
were compelled sefdefence TO have $50
hcitor" to keep them posted and protect
their interests IN the matter OF government
lettings In interview tonight, Mr. Basshor
SAID ''Mr Grant has been IN employ about eight
months. We employed him just as we would en-
ness, for us. The fact is before Mr. Brstow became
a member Of the Cabinet and we unable TO put
\ bid for government contracts one llrm in Bal
tmorc monopollzed the business and secured all tho
contracts for such work That firm Bartlett,
Robbins & Co Grants salary 81, 400 per annum
lie is still IN our employ. Our transactions through
Mr. Grant have been perfectly far and square II
proves to be dishonest he cannot remain with
We have nothing TO fear from the Investigation any
transaction arising out Of any contract we have re-
cclvcd since he entered our employ. lie told when
We employed him that he had no promises to make
huff hat he IN nur
interest, just as any other solicitor would do. We
bidders for the Post Ofice heating contract aud
Mr.. Grant gave US what legitimate aid he could. We
failed, however, to get H. Tho OF $65, 900
appropriated for H. Our proposal
TO do IL for $4,000. at proht OF mr.
The contract awarded TO Bartlett Robbins A Co.
OF this CITY, the rate-hftecn per cent profit
through the influence OF the Supervising Architect A.
Is MuIlett Tho same nrm, through the innu-
ence obtained the contract for the District JAIL Treas
ury Department and other work. The first contract Mr.
Grant secured 20 supply the heating apparatus
for tho Cook County Hospital in Chicago That Is TO
say he acquainted with the fact that the
was TO be let, and bd and obtained H. our bid
was the lowest and the transaction clearly legti
mate IL was worth about 5000 Mr Grant also OF.
tanned u.s. about year ago, for SHIP knees
at Philadelphia. IL was worth 5000 81, 600 We
also obtained contract through him for about 600
knoes the New York navy yard the fall Of 1915
worth about $4,000. IL his business 10 let US
know when contracts were 10 be let order that wo
m ght have opportunity Of bidding. As TO the Bat
tinorc Post once contract before employed Grant
we made every effort to get in bid. saw Mr.
DenisOn aud was by him introduced TO the
architect employed in making the repairs He said
he would give opportunity to bid, bat wo were
prevented from doing Weiound that Bartlett Rob-
bins Co. would get tho contract and saw
attempting 10 obtain IT,
Mr. Basshor having stated that his partner Mr. Stob-
bins made the arrangements with Mr.. Grant a rep
sentative OF tho Gazette called upon him. converse
ton onsucd substantially as ioows;-'Pease state
the circumstances under which MI Grant entered the
employ OF your housey" AMER some hestation--''I
don't think tho Gdzeffe should inquire the private
affairs OF business house. I" mt; Basshor has re-
what he has said don't 10 answer tho question
will say, however, that Mr.. Grant entered my en-
plov al my solicitation "Xhere did you arrange
with him himg" "ln New York, whero ! went for
that Durpnse." ''For what particular business were