The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-03
The Counsel for the Prosecution Enters a
Vigorous Pr0test-The Architect Is
OveEjoyed at the Result.
Our Coast Line Never Better De-
Tended from Epidemic Diseases.
A louisiana Congressman Involved In a
Job-New York WooI-Dealers Ask At
uentien to Imports from Egypt.
THE HILL INVESTIGATION.


The Supervising Architect Gratified by the
Closing of the Case.
special to the Indianapolis journal
WASHINGTON Aug. 1.-The supervising
architect was overjoyed to-day when the
committee announced its purpose to bring
the tedious investigation to a close. The
inquiry has been costing him about $25
day. Opinion is divided as to what the re-
port of the committee will be. Mr. Hill
thinks that the investigation has shown that
he has been gloriously acquitted of all
wrong-doing. The prosecution has fallen far
short of proving what it expected to, but
the testimony produced has certainly left
stain on the Office which the architects
explanations have not entirely removed to
the satisfaction of those who looked for clean
record. The most damaging fact brought out
in the examination, in the opinion of
many who have watched the investigation
carefully, was the employment by the super
vising architect of man to inspect and pass
on Bartlett & Robbins's heating and ventila-
ton job in the Chicago custom-house who
was an employee of the contractors themselves,
and who returned to their employ at large
ly increased salary after he had certified to
the excellence of the work. If the
lawyers get their briefs in by
the middle of the month the COM
mittee will probably be ready to submit its
report to the Secretary on or before the LIST
of September. The committee is understood
to be practically unit, and if left free could
probably hand i'll its verdict in thirty min
utes. The work of the supervising arehi-
tect's Office has been in a state of blockade
for three months by reason of the investiga-
ton, to the great detriment of the work on
public buildings throughout the country.
The pressure having been relieved, some at
tention can now be paid to the needs of pub
lie business in that line.
The Committee Discontinuss the Hearing
The Prosecution Protests.
To the western Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1.-The Hill investi-
eating committee resumed its sessions this
morning. with zeigler, foreman for Bartlett,
Hayward & Co., on the stand. He was cross
examined by Mr.. Coleman as to the changes
made in heating apparatus in the Chicago
eustom-house. He said the changes were
authorized by Superintendent Mcdowell,
upon representations made by himself (Zeig-
lerl
Mr.. Coleman was asked if he was through,
and said, mot quite" He then offered in
evidence the plans, and specifications and
vouchers which, he said. showed that the
turning and lathing work on the public
buildings in Austin, Nashville, Washington,
Harrisburg, Utica, Boston, Paducah, Pitts
burg, Cincinnati and New York amounting
to a large sum of money. had been given to
Dwight 81 Hoyt without contract and with
out competition.
Mr. Totten objected to the introduction of
such evidence He said the statement was not
borne out by the facts. The work was done
under contract and in proper form.
The committee took the matter under con-
sderation. The contract for furnishing heat
ing apparatus for the custoni-house at Gin
cinuati was awarded to Samuel L. Pope, of
Chicago, at $t28, 600
Jacobs was recalled by Mr. Coleman and
examined in relation to the report of the
Supervising Architect for the year 1882 He
showed that the report did not give the de-
tails of the work done by the Office and not
contracted for. The expenditures on each
building were given in the report in bulk.
Mr. Coleman read extracts from the report
and offered it in evidence. Mr.. Coleman
asked for a ruling on his inquiry if the COM
in regard to heating apparatus in the Chicago
building and also a ruling on his proposition
to present further evidence in regard to
granite contracts
Chairman New then, on behalf of the COM
mittee, made the following announcement:
This committee appointed by the secre-
tary of the Treasury to investigate charges filed
by Hon. L. II. Mnrch, by a letter to the Seere-
tary, dated pri 10, 1883, since which time it
has allowed the prosecution the widest latitude,
and NOT n
tinony relating to almost every thing that enters
into the construction of the building from the
basement stone to attic tank and slate roof.
OF what value. ia its opinion, all this testimony
is the committee will state in its report 10 the
Secretary of the Treasury, and that it may pre-
pare this report, it proposes disseminating this
Investigate at this point and at this time, OK
cept In the matter OF heating apparatus con-
stFucted for the Chicago Gust ON house and post
Office building, ard the cross-examination of a
single witness by the prosecution when the COM
mittee has made its report the Secretary Ii
the prosecution, represented by Mr.. Coleman, is
of opinion that other accounts should he exam
ined those already investigated should be in
euired into still further, he any
other citizen mas right to file new charges and
specifications with the secretary, who can re-
ceiye and do with them whatever he deems
proper. Upon the matter OF heating apparatus
for the Chicago building, the committee desire
some additional light. which they will endeavor
to get and Will advise counsel at the proper time
10 what course they will take to get 1t.
Mr.. Coleman thereupon said:
protest against closing the testimony, as
ordered by the committee. Notwithstand-
ing the embarrassnents and aDnoyanees
which have been constantly thrown in
our way in this department., to prevent "A
full investigation of the matters charged
against the Supervising Architects not
wthstanding the secretary has assumed TO
decide upon all important questions submitted
to the committee, and thus prevent inquiry into
many of the most important frauds charged;
nOtwii hstanding we have been bound by the
strctest rules of evidence, the rigid enforcement
OF which by the committee has made this n pro
hpr Iltstu tn liG in
ont regarding the truth of the matters charged;
Notwithstanding the Secretary of the Treasury,
when he set foot tins investigation, did so
with the distinct understanding that this com
mittee should go into the Vcinage of wit
nesses 10 take their testimony, and that he
| has whenever apparent that the taking OF such
| testimony would result in proof of fraud and