The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-28
Correspondence Between Secretary Folge
and Collector Robertson Concerning
the Furnessia i'.upers.
Crook Says the Hostiles Have Not
Been Forced on the Reservation.
Work of the French and American Claims
Commission-Exchang of Mail with
Mexico-General News.
THE HILL INVESTIGATION.
MIR. Wilbur Gives Some Testimony Which
MIR. Hill COntradicts.

hr. wilbur Gives Some testimony which
Mr.. Hill COntradicts.
WASHINGTON June 27.-J. NJ Wilbur tes-
titled before the Hill investigating committee
that he had an account against the govern
ment for work done at the New York rost-
office. He presented the account to Hill,
who said it was all right, but he Chilly ought
to have something for settling old claims.
He referred witness to Cannon, an employe
in his Office, who took him aside and told
him they ought to have ten per cent. for set
tling the bill. Witness did not assent, and
the claim was disallowed, The matter was
considered by Congress, and the committee
on claims made favorable report At the
h caring before the Senate committee, Hill
appeared and opposed the claim. Upon
cross-examination witness said the reason g
did not make a record of the conversation in
which Hill asked for compensation for set
tling the claim was that he thought it
rather strange proceeding on the part of
government official; but he was astranger
in Washington at that time and did not
know but such was the custom here.
Hill did not ask for 10 per cent, but said he
must have something, and introduced wit
ness to Cannon, who indicated that 10 per
cent. was the correct figure. Witness con-
sidered Hill and Cannon one end the same
as far as the proposition was concerned. The
articles of co-partnership between Cannon
Slmons d johnson were then put in evidence
by the prosecution. They bore date 1874
and one of the stipulatons was to the effect
that in all contracts which might be obtained
from any department L. E. Cannon should
receive ten cents for every ton of stone or
material hauled by said firm, which should
constitute his full share of the profits from
that branch of the business, but that in all
other profits he should share equally with
the other partners,
An opinion of Assistant Secretary French
favorable to Wlbur's claim was then put in
evidence, as also the opinion of Mr.. Sher-
man which referred the matter to Congress
for action. Witness said he called Hills at
tention to the fact that Cannon was interested
in contract, and asked his dismissal Subse-
quently he reported the matter to Assistant
Secretary of the Treasury Mccormick who
removed (upon investigation Cannon.
Cannon then took the stand for the de-
fense and swore that no proposition had
been made by him to Wilbur for 10 per cent
of his claim for passing it, The firm he
was connected with never had a contract
with the government while he was in the
governments employ. No reason was as
signed for his dismissal from the department
The co-partnership of Simons, Johnson &
Cannon was dissolved before Hill became
supervising architect.
Mr.. Hill then said a portion of the testi-
mony of Wilbur was true and part false 81
never had any conversation with Wilbur in
which it was said would receive or permit
any compensation to be paid for the settle
ment of claim, The charge of Wilbur is
absolutely falsen
Adjourned