Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-07-03
FROM WASHINGTON.
THE HILL INVESTIGATION.
Hearing Regarding the Manly, Cooper
d Co. Charges.

Ut I'LL iuScetiRdtluk Iceuu1cu
their session this morning and Gen. Slime
metz continued his testimony relative to the
cost of extra work performed by the Bart
lett, Robbins & Co. upon the New York post
office. Damon of Boston then took the stand
to meet the Manly Cooper Co. charges and
was examined BY his counsel Patrick Collins
lie said that he had engaged in the manfact-
ure of safes and was president of the Fire
Proof Shutter Company. Gen. Tyler went
to the Office of Manly. Cooper & Co., found
Manly, Cooper and Taylor. They talked of
various kinds of shutters.
TAYLOR said he did not see how it would be
polite for them not to work, that they could
make as much money if they did. Finally
he asked, damon. what will you give us
to withdraw our contract"
Witness declined TO make any offer, and
no sun was mentioned. He told them if
they carried out the contract they would lose
money just as the Chicago people had done.
The conversation then closed and he next
met the Manly Cooper people at the test.
Mr.. Collins wished to show by the witness
the superiority of the United States Coz
shutter over that furnished by Manly, Cooper
& Co, and that there was sufficient reason
for the award to the United States Co., even
at $50, 900 greater cost.
Coleman replied that if this question was
to be taken up he should insist upon the at
tendance of Representatives of MANLY, Cooper
Co.
Alexander said the Manly-Cooper case was
closed kept as concerned the $500 bride
alleged to have been offered.
The chairman sustained this view, and
Damons examination closed.
John Babson of Boston, secretary of the
United states Fire Proof Shutter Co, testi-
fed: Heard conversation in the supervis-
ing architects Office; when the bids were
opened December 18th, last, the witness
heard Manly invite Damon to go over to the
hotel: Hill did not order anyone out of the
office.
The evidence for the United States Shutter
Co. closed at this point and Gen. Stnemetz
resumed his testimony.
charge of Sll32 for one staircase in
the New York postofice should have beer
reduced. He instanced cases where extra
charges had been made by notifications u:
the originals plans for balustrades, where no
extra expense had been incurred All modi-
fications benefited the contractor rather than
the government. Several charges were made
for extra work done under verbal order. The
witness declared they should not have been
allowed altogether about $4,000, which had
been illegally charged and allowed for extra
work upon the New York postoffice by Bart
lett, Robbins & Go. Some of their work
was of the poorest quality.
Thomas asked the witness if he had not
not made the estimate of S33, 900 as the cost
of the extension of a sea wall.
Witness said his estimate was S66, 900. hut
Hill estimated it at S33 200. and afterwards
had to add S4O,O 900 to that sum. Could not
tell without consulting the bills whether the
same items had been charged for as extra
and at contract work Had been instructed
by Mulett, in letter on file not to give any
verbal orders to workmen, and had r:gidly
observed that instruction.
Coleman next read letter to Mr.. Oakshot,
architect in charge of the New York post
Office building. from the supervising archi-
tect on Feb. l., 1877. requesting him to GER
tify enclosed vouchers for work performed by
Bartlett, Robbins ( Co.
Hill was then called upon to produce Ger
tain vouchers and the committee adjourned
until July 9TH, when expected evidence in
the Bartlett, Robbins & Co. case will be con-
cluded.