Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-05-31
The Hill Investigation.

THE COMMITTEE AT woRK-rHE DIX ISLAND Gr.S-
IIs COMPANY coNTRAcr-A HITCH AT THE START
Inc investigation into the Affairs OF the super
vising architects ONCE OF the Treasury DEPART
ment commenced at the Treasury department. this
morning. Mr.. James Coleman appeared as coun-
sci for Mr. Murch, and Mr.. John /. Thomas repre-
sented Architect. Hill. Mr.. Murch and Mr. Hin
were both present Mr. Coleman said he desired
TO put in evidence all papers bearing upon what
Is known as the Is per cent contract
MT. Blair, OF the Department or Justice objected
20 the introduction OF the evidence on the ground
mat the nrSt contract with the Dix Island Granite
Office, Mr.. Mullett, and Consequently ad no bear
ing upon this Investigation.
MT. Coleman said IL was evident that Mr.. Blair
ana himself could not act in harmony IN this in
vestigation, and asked that the letter OF MIR
Murch requesting the appointment OF government
counsel 70 assist him, upon which Mr. Blair was
Chairman New said that in order to proceed to
business the committee would let Mr.. Blair's OBJ
lection go over for the present This was satisfac-
tory TO all concerned, and Mr. Coleman then Of
fered In evidence contract made In 1888 between
ex-Supervisng Architect Mullett and the DIX
Island Granite Co for furnishing stone for the
New York post office.
WHAT Mr.. MURCH PROPOSES TO SHOW.
Mr.. Coleman said he proposed to show that this
contract entitled the contractor TO Is per cent
pront, but that the latter, with the knowledge OF
MI. Hill, who was then assistant supervising
architect, increased the figures, and that new
contracts were made with this company without
advertising for proposals. Other contracts with
Lhe same company for work on the St Louis,
Boston and other public buildings were also Of
1ered In evidence. Mr.. Coleman said he would
also oner In evidence the regular weekly reports
OF the superintendentS In charge OF the construc-
llon OF these buildings. acquisitions had been
made for them several weeks ago, but they have
not yet been furnished.
MT. Thomas replied that the reports would be
forthcoming In few days.
PROPOSED APPOINTMENT OF EXPERTS.
MI. Coleman then proposed that the committee
issue subrBnas for the appearance OF certain wit
nesses, and that two experts be appointed, one TO
be designated by the committee and the other by
Tue prosecution, to investigate the alleged fraudu-
lent granite contracts. He thought &c could be
SHOWN tnat the government had paid hundreds
OF thousands OF dollars more than tie stone was
worth az the highest market rates, and that work
was paid for which was never performed.
Mr.. Thomas objected to the appointment OF
sideratiOn by the committee.
After deltberation, Mr.. New stated that as MI.
SeeinmeU was already acting as an expert In this
matter On behalf OF Mr.. Murch there would be no
dlmculty In selecting another expert to represent
the supervising architect
ADJOURNMENT TILL NEXT WEEK.
MI Coleman then asked for an adjournment till
tuesday next in order to allow the experts time
to examine the papers bearing on the contracts In
question.
Mr. New said that the committee would consent
10 this arrangement so far as Mr.. Murch's inter-
ests were concerned, but would meet On Monday
Pouson Eyes, OF Brooklyn. and Manly, Cooper
Co, OF Philadelphia, whose witnesses are now
In the city Waiting examination.
Inc committee then adjourned till Monday next