The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-06-22
WASHINGTON NEWS.
THE HILL INVESTIGATION.
Mureh's Testimony at an Eud-A Novel Scheme
for AsesrtalSs the Condition Of Oar Com.
msres-rhs Troubles Between ChIaasud
Franes-Gsu. shsrnln'.Lastsah Il

WASHINGTON, June 2l.-The Hill inves'
tigating committee met this morning.
Mr.. Coleman asked to be furnished witt
all the contracts made by the United State
for fire-proof shutters.
Chairman New replied that the requiSi
tion was too general, and must be made
more specific.
Mr.. Coleman, il they will furnish us with
all the contracts we can readily see what
We want without letting them know in ad
vance Just what we propose to do. When
the prosecution is compelled to depend
on the defense for their papers, it is q
pretty difficult matter to specify ia advance
what particular papers may be required
particularly as In some instances we dc
not know wt1ar pEpurs- s-ars m existence. =
Chairman New then adverted to the
statement counsel made yesterday in re-
gard to the conduct OF this Investigation
and characterized any statement that the
Committee is giving the investigation hall
hearted support, or is disposed TO impede
it, as absolutely untrue.
MIR. Coleman-No such statement was
made. What l said was to showrthat the
Administration is not offering or allording
any assistance in this investigation, which
Is being carried on at the expense OF pri.
yate individuals, Is in great contrast with
the spirit shown in the prosecution OF the
Star route cases. Mr.. Murch then look the
stand for cross discrimination.
In answer TO the question as to who were
represented before the committee, Murch
replied that he represented himself alone,
and that the statement attributed to Hill,
that be (the witness) was being paid by the
stone cutters, was absolutely false.
Question-Is not your only reason for
attempting to connect Hill with these
frauds the fact that he was a member OF the
Commission before which you appeared,
and that the Commission, refused to listen
to your demands?
That is true. The fact that he was mem
Der OF the Commission, and that he was
made aware OF the frauds and still per.
sisted in his course, is my reason for con-
neCtibg him with frauds.
Question-pe you know that II Hill had
acceded to your demands, it would have
resulted In breaking all existing contracts,
and would have compelled the Govern.
mcnt to finish its buildings with totally
different kind OF granite.
Answer-I know nothing Of the kind.
know that there were twenty quarries on
the coast OF Maine, owned and controlled
by separate parties, who we're then furnish;
ing granite, aud who could aud would have
furnished the same quality OF granite, both
In texture and appearance, as that which
was then being used.
Questiou-Ii 6iteen per cent OF the con-
tract had been abrogated, would NOT the
Government have been compelled to poy
the prices which your stone.cutters would
have demanded?
AusSer-We offered to do the work fol
s. per day, and Hill under the modified
contracts paid s. 80.
The cross examination was pursued al
great length. The witness said the greatest
frauds upon the Philadelphia buildings
were peruetrated alter Hill became Super
yisipg Architect and aftera superintendent
had been put in charge by the Architects
Office. Thissuperintendent was totally lnF
competent, and permitted the grossest
frauds; yet be II in the employ OF the Arch.
itects Office. In reply to a question by
Coleman, witness said his gtonad Of COM
plaint against Hill was that after having
bis attention called to the gross frauds
which were being perpetrated, Hill still
went ahead and made modified contracts,
based upon fraudulent and excessive rates
which had been paid under the fifteen per
cent contracts. This concluded the exami.
nation OF Murch.