Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-04-23
The District luyestigatiOn.

The House committee on the District of CO.
lumbia continued to-day the investigation OF the
charges against the District Commissioners
prepared 10y L. S. Treasurer Giltillan.
CAPT. PHELPS AGAIN EXAMINED.
EX-CommiSSioner Phelps was recalled and
examined by Mr.. Aldrich. Witness said he had
not found by an examination OF the District
1876. He didn't have time to examine all the
records OF the District government: it would
take SIX months: didn't look TO find whether
any changes were made in the year 1876. The
matter Of the change OF rules touching assess
mentS grew up with the presentation OF nearly
every case.
Judge Dent was requested to furnish the
committee with the records OF the District Of
fec Tor 1916 which viii show any changes of the
rules OF the board OF public works made by the
District Commissioners.
EX-ConmiSSiOner Phelps, reSurning, said the
issue OF the taX-lien certificates was suspended
on the 25th OF February, 1876, by verbal order
for the reason that they were erroneous, and
there was dispute as to the construction OF
the rules witness was not aware whether or
not the Commissioners made any assessment In
1876 he would not undertake 10 say they did OF
cid not.
Mr.. Aldrich put IN evidence two assessments
made in 1876. one against Hunter Taylor, and
the other against c. Il. Church.
Witness denied that the Commissioners had
ever made two assessments against the same
street; cOuldnot say whether the Commissioners
did or did not continue to make assessments
after January, 1877: witness said in the matter
or making special assessments the COmmis-
SionerS had TO depend on one man; prior to Mr..
Oertley's death he had charge OF special assess
mentS. and subsequent thereto Mr.. Roome; the
commissioners found it necessary to confine
the work to one man. Witness was questioned
concerning acts creating the sinking fund
commissioners and their powers undA such
acts.
A. G. RIDDLE WAS SWORN
and examined touching the w. II. Cooley certi-
hcate. He said he was in error In stating pre-
viously that he had turned the certificate over
to the United States District Attorney; the GER
tificate .had been returned by witness to the
Commissioners on the 18th OF october, 1879.
stating that Ii they were returned to witness he
would transfer the papers in the TrOXall- Cooley
case to the United States District Attorney for
his action; the recollection of the witness now
is that the Cooley papers were never returned to
him by the Commissioners; he had supposed
they were, but on examination he found the
papers Which had been returned TO him were in
the Staub case. upon which TroXall was in
dicted. Witness denied that Thomas Quinn was
in any way related to himself or any member OF
his family.
Mr.. Riddle endeavored to ask Commissioner
Phelps II any Of the Commissioners had ever
sought to influence any of his opinions, or he
mad ever requested the views of any OF the COM
m1ssioners touching his opinions? The question
was ruled out because the charge was.made only
Dy New York newspaper. and for the reason
that no testimony to such effect was in evidence
before the committee.
Judge Dent was asked to try and find the
Cooley certificates and file the same with the
committee.
The committee at y o'clock adiourned until
Tomorrow