Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-04-16
The District InyeStigatiOn.

EX-CoMMISSIoNER PHELPS MAKES A STATEMENT.
Ex-Distrct Commissioner Phelps appeared
before the House District committee to-day aud
made statement, explaining the position of
the old commissioners. In reference to de-
posting certificates with the sinking fund, he
stated that large number were prepared and
signed ready for delivery, but are Withheld at
the District buildings, the assessments having
been found to be illegal. Capt. Phelps explained
the various reviSiOnS and law covering them as
heretofore brought out, and claimed that the
issue Of taX-lein certificates by the Commis-
sioners was prevented by the act of Congress
permitting the payment OF taxes at 6 per cent
interest up to October 1st, 1879. At this point
the statement of Captain Phelps was suspended
until tomorrow morning.
MORE TESTIMONY.
George Schlery testified that he paid special
taxes in February last, and did not make any
tender prior to october lst, 1879; he had, how
ever, given power of attorney to an attorney
named Whitaker to collect drawbacks for him.
j. +. Olmstead testified that he had paid taxes
on property he owned recently, but had made
tender Of payment prior to October fSt, 1879:
was told by Capt. Phelps that he could pay his
taxes when the accounts were audited and the
revisionS made; certificates were issued to Wit
ness on the Sd of February last; when on the
10Th of september witness went to the District
Office he would have paid all the taxes he owed
had his bills and drawbacks been ready.
Mr.. Smolenski was recalled and furnished the
committee list of the nights and Sundays that
brokers' visited the District offices in 1919 1t
was shown that Dickson visited the building 81
nights and sundays; Campbell % nights and
sundays, and Whitaker Is nights and / Sun
day.
At 1915 O'Clock, the committee adjourned
until tomorrow.
EXPLANATORY.
1t Is stated that they were not "baskets OF
champagne which were carried by the claim
agents into the District buildings in the night;
but that General SmolenSh testified before the
District committee that champagne baskets
were carried in, and the question was immedi-
ately asked him II the baskets contained cham
payne, and his reply was mo; there was no
champagne carried In there" The COmmiS-
SlonerS state that the baskets spoken OF con-
tanned papers, mostly complaints and applica.
tions for rev1sions OF assessments, so numerous
that these agents could not have them attended
TO In the regular business hours without
taking up the whole time OF the Office
For this reason the agents were allowed to
nave their claims examined by the clerks after
business hours. Refreshments for the night
workers were carried into the building, but IL Is
claimed that no champagne or other liquors
We're taken in. The witness Gen. Smolensid
was not, as some people infer, spy, who kept
book in which he entered the names OF the
people who entered the building at night. The
fact is that he is ntght-watchman, and part
OF his duty Is to have all who enter the building
after office hours register their names In book
kept for the purpose. This has always been
done ever since the District government build
ingS were located here