Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-06-22
THE HILL INVESTIGATION
THE COMPLAINT OF MANLY. COOPER a co.

THE COMPLAINT OF MANLY, COOPER CO.
The Hill Investigating committee took up yes
terday afternoon the complaint OF Manly,
Cooper & Co., OF Philadelphia, that contracts for
are-proof shutters for the public buildings O; the
country have been controlled by the UnitedStltes
Flre-proOf Iron Safe and Shutter Company, of Bos-
ton, and that since Mr.. Hill came into Office that
1t has been impossible for any other company to
compete. Mr.. Thomas made reply to the
charges, denying them. and explaining the deal
matter referred to.
a. Frank Taylor, secretary and treasurer OF the
bids for shutters for the public buildings at Gin
cinnau were openei they were as follows: Manly,
Cooper Co, $ls4, ,6G6; United States company,
Sl46 $50: Hoyt, sI5l,4so, and one other bid, which
was $16O, ,467.
George L. Damon, rapr, r,sentinr the UnitedStates
company. came to Philadelphia and offered Manly,
Cooper & CO. $500 to withdraw their bid. The
proposition was not entertained; Mr. Hill award
ed the contract to the United States company.
although he had been Informed OF the attempted
bribery.
M HIN took the stand and testified that the
charge OF ribery had been called TO his attention.
but he "t0Ok no stock In It,.
Proceedings To-day.
DAMON CoNTRADICrs TAYLOR
Upon the opening OF the session OF the com.
mittee this morning Mr.. Thomas read statement
from Mr.. Damon, OF the U. s. Fire-proof Safe and
Shutter company, in which he denied the state
mcnt made yesterday by Mr.. Taylor, OF the Man.
ly-Cooper company. Mr.. Damon said that two
representatives Of the Manly y-Cooper company ap-
preached him in Washington and intimated that
they had all the work they could attend to and
woud receive proposition to withdraw their bid !;
further, that they requested him Damon) to call
upon them at Philadelphia. He did so, but denied
that he ever made any such propositions asserted
Dy Taylor, or any money proposition.
MR. HILL EXAMINED.
MT. HUI was then called to the stand and OK.
amned by Mr. Coleman.
Ques.-When Mr.. Taylor first called your atten-
tion to the alleged offer OF bribery the part OF
Mr.. Damon did he CTaylop .sk postponement Of
Ans-I think not When he first spoke OF 1t
told n1i him to put his statement In writing. The
reason Of the alleged bribery was made by Repre-
sentative Kelly in my Office.
Ques-When did you last see Mr. Damon?
Ans-Two or three months ago.
Mr.. Hill said he gave the matter no further con-
sideration beyond reporting it to the Secretary.
MI Kelly did not mention TO witness the amount,
he only spoke OF the matter In q general way.
In reply to questions by Mr. Alexander, OF the
ing OF the bids-alluded to by Mr.. Taylor yester-
day-he {HllUdd not request the bidders to retire:
they did SO voluntarily It was quite likely that
Mr.: Damon remained behind; he was about the
Office all day.
WITNESSES FROM HIL!DELPHIA COMING.
MI. Coleman stated that Mr.. Manly. of the Phila-
delphia company, and Mr.. Addison, their attorney
to whom the offer OF bribery was made, would be
In Washington on Monday to testify to this
charge.
MI. New.-We will hear them.
Mr.. MURCH WAS RECALLED
and was questioned further relative to his having
called the attention OF Mr. Hill and the department
to the existence OF frauds In reply to question
by Mr. Coleman, witness said he came to Wash
1ngton at the request and expense OF the stone
cutters to notify the government of the frauds
which were being committed. He did so notify
Mr.. Hill and the commission.
THE ST. LOUIS BUILDING
Mr.. Coleman then called attention to the terms
OF the contract for the St Louis building under
which he said even more extravagant prices were
paid the contractors for furnishing the rough
stone than was paid for cutting and dressing the
expert to assist Mr.. Stinemetz in making the
necessary computations to show to the committee
the extent OF the frauds in this direction. He
thought II this were done the prosecution would
be able at the next meeting OF the committee to
furnish the requisite evidence.
This led TO arguments on the part OF counsel.
Mr.. Thomas objected to going into an investiga-
ton touching any other public building. 1t would
be contrary to the ruling OF the committee. which
nae already gone forth to the country and would
necessarily prolong this Investigation. No new
principle would be involved. It was simply a
question as between days work and the modified
Mr.. Coleman was surprised at the determined
and persistent efforts on the part OF Mr.. Hill and
a knowledge Of the disposition which had been
made OF the vast sums which they {the people)
had entrusted him with. 1t was not a question of
one fraud, but OF O vast system OF frauds, which,
II the prosecution were permitted to prove, would
drive this man iHID from the Office which he Is
unfit to FILL
THE COMMITTEES DECISION.
Chairman New, after consultation with the other
members OF the committee, said we have already
decided to conclude the Philadelphia matter, the
Manly Cooper, the rtlett-Robbins and the statu-
ary matter. In the meantime Gen. Stinemetz can
so on and make any computations which he NAV
several matters Of inquiry now under way we viii
decide whether 1T Will be proper to go into an In
qulry relative to any other buildings.
The committee at IL O'clock, adjourned till Mon.
day morning, with the understanding that the
Manly-Cooper charges Will then be disposed Of