New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-31
THE HILL INVESTIGATION.
A DAY SPENT IN LOOKING INTO ELEVATOR con-
TRACTS


TRACTS.
WASHINGTON, July 30.-The Hill investIga-
ton was resumed this morning. Mr. Hill was recalled
by Mr. Coleman and questioned in regard to contracts
for elevators He said he had invited competition by
circular letter. Five elevators removed from the
Appraisers in New York because they
out and replaced with new ones. The superintendent
of the building Mr. Jackson reported that the elevators
were worn out and witness relied upon that report He
made no personal inspection Of the old elevators. He
invited proposals for replacing these elevators from
another firm besides that of Hale & Co. He concurred
IN report OF Committee OF Experts on Elevators
without having made any special personal inspection of
different elevators He considered that the Hale Co.
elevator had merits possessed by other elevators
its principal advantage being in Its construction.
Mr. Coleman offered in evidence letter. dated May
81 1872 from Mr. Crane, of Chicago to the Secretary Of
the Treasury In regard TO the contract for elevators for
the Chicago building, in which he claimed that his
pany bad been illegally and wroDgfuly detained from
bidding that work Mr.. Coleman also submitted
report made by Mr. HID the subject. which
argued against receiving second set of bids. the
ground great in putting in the elevators was
necessary.
NJ. Hill said that the elevators were used in the
Cheaeo building in hosting material time before
tbs ding completed. He admitted tina: 1t turned
- there sufficient time to have re-advertised
Sur - without delaying the work on the building.
Gleman requested TO be furnished with copy OF
lso fans for putting the heating apparatus in the
Chicago building, upon which bids were invited. He
lad the letter written b. Mr.. Crane OF Chicago, to
-retary Of the Treasury in May, 1879, in which ii
6as sta that Mr. Cranes bid for furnishing
IN the Chicago building wrongfuly rejected. The
lett. avs that Mr.. Crane put IN hid for steam ele
yatcfs in accordance with the specifications whereas It
afterwards decided 20 use hydraulic elevators. with
out giving Mr.. Crane opportunity to put in another
bid Other spOndence introduced teudiDg to
show that Hale a Co. rad monopoly Of the elevator
business for the Government under the present Super
y,sipg Architect.
Mr Crane, Of Chicago, was then examined by Mr.
Coleman. His firm bid for Chicago building ee-
vators. but did not get tie lie narrated all
the attending the rejection of his bid and
the acceptance o. the Did Of Hale & Co. He appeared
before the committee OF experts and explained his BIZ
and machinery The committee. however, reported IN
favor OF hydraulic elevators and IN favor Of giving
Hale d Co. the contract His irm built hydraulic
elevators IS well. and would have bd for hydraulic
elevators had IL not been for atiOns Mr.
Hin paid Hale d Co. 100 per cent more for putting
elevators in the Chicago Custom House than they were
paid for elevators for the county building in Chicago
The witness did not think the elevators OF Hale Co
possessed any special advantages others. The
Dens ciacd Tor the Hale elevators In the report of the
committee OF experts were not pee iar 10 those elc
yatOrs.