The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-14
NATIONAL CAPITAL NEWS.
"A Newspaper Interview Under Discus
sion in the Hill Case.
District-AttOrney Bliss Denies that He
Charged MIR. Hill with Fraud-Miscel-
laneous Washington News.
THE SUPERVISING ARoHIrEcT.
The Authenticity of a Newspaper Interview
Under Discussion.

WASHINGTON July 13.-Before resumption
of regular proceedings in the Hill investiga-
ton, Mr.. Coleman presented formal COM
munication calling attention to the promise
of Secretary Folger that he would cause the
attendance before the committee of any per-
son in government employ, and would send
the committee to distant cities to take testi-
mony if need be. An interview with Will
liam H Bliss, United States district attorney
for the eastern district of Missouri. reported
in the st. Louis Post-Dispatch of June Is,
charges Supervising Architect Hill with
fraud in connection with the construction of
the st. Louis custom-house. He desired to
file that paper.
The chairman said the committee had
read the paper, or a portion of it.
Mr. Coleman therefore refrained from read
ing the newspaper article. He said these
charges made so freely by a person in so
high official position, demanded the atten-
ton of the committee. or if be should be I'M
able to attend, he would ask that he be ex-
amined IN st. Louis.
Messrs. Thomas and Totten objected on
the ground that the proposed investigation
was not proper.
Mr. Coleman maintained the propriety of
the inquiry. Mr.. Hill had been Investigated
at Boston and indicted at ST.. Louis. 1t was
an old story with him. 1t was the business
of his counsel TO complete this investigations
to not block its wheels Mr.. Hill ought to
invite investigation; to open up all his rec
ords, and if the Secretary of the Treasury
was honest in his desire for Investigation, he
should have suspended Hill from his position
and put in his place an honest man, who
would forward the papers called for by the
prosecution. They were now dependent
upon the defendant to furnish the evidence
required to convict him.
Mr.. Thomas-Have you communicated
with Bliss?
Mr.. Coleman-No.
Mr.. Thomas-Then. on bare newspaper
charges you want an Investigation?
Mr.. Coleman-It is not bare newspaper
charge. 1t is an interview with Bliss.
The Chairman-The committee desire TO
say that this interview was sent to it. There
are some things in it rejecting upon the COM
mittee We wrote Bliss calling his attention
to the interview, and asking ii it was q truth
full report He telegraphed us as follows:
Hon. John c. New, washington-No thought
or uutertnce of mine public or private, has
either reflected on the integrity OF your commit
ter any member, or attributed other than
earnest. honest motives and efforts in investi-
Inundated THAT a denial OF a statementso palpa-
bly, false seems necessary. Shall cali on You on
Monday VIM. H. BLISS.
On Tuesday, Mr. Bliss came here and de-
ing he had been incorrectly reported.
Mr.. Coleman-Did he-say the charges were
untrue?
Mr.. Neville said there was some founda-
ton for them, but that, as reported, they
were not true.
Mr.. Coleman expressed some surprise that
these things had taken place without the
knowledge of the prosecution.
The chairman said he" could get Mr. Bliss
here at any time; he was in Boston.
Mr. Coleman presumed the occurrence of
this morning would probably cause Mr..
Bliss or reporter of the Post-Dispatch to
come here.
I Mr.. Fotten said the investigation had been
in progress seven weeks, and he defied any,
6he5to point to syllable of testimony re-
flecting upon Mr.. Hills integrity. The
grand jury room was the proper place to
investigate charges of corruption, and he
asked why the prosecution did not proceed
there.
Mr. Coleman marveled at the cheek shown
by counsel. The defense had put on the
stand witness who swore he had been hired
by Bartlett, Robbins * Co., and at the same
time had made plans for the government for
four buildings for which his firm was bid
ding. Another employe of that firm had
gone into government employ long enough
to make favorable report upon thousands
of dollors' worth of material furnished by
that firm for the Chicago building. When
ne finished that job he went back to his
place with Bartlett Robbins & Co. That
was an offense that should send them to the
penitenriary; yet counsel said they were
proving nothing.
take under consideration Mr.. Coleman's de-
mand that Mr.. Bliss be examined, and the
regular proceedings were resumed.
Mr. Dixon, of the Dix island Granite Com
pany testified that work had been done in a
proper manner, and that there had been no
combination to defraud the government
At Mr.. Coleman's request, the defense
called Mr.. Hill to testify in the Bartlett
Robbins & Co. case. He said his recollection
of extra work done upon the New York
postoffice building was almost wholly con-
fined 10 the records of his bureau. He had
been in the supervising architects Office
since 1867. Never had any experience as
carpenter. mason or engineer when he passed
the bill of Bartlett, Robbins q Co. His
office disbursed about So 900, 900 per annum
Had no personal knowledge of the character
of the work done by Bartlett, Robbins g.
Co., but relied upon the reports of
superintendents. Did not know that he ever
had read Steinmetzs report The letters we
got from Steinmetz in answer to questions
we did ask indicated that he was a sorehead,
and we could get no satisfaction out of him.
Steinmetz had been transferred to other
service and was disgruntled. Had an i'm
preston at the time that Stenmetz was a
sorehead, but his letters, received subse-
quently convinced him of the fact Pre-
sumed the letters were on file, and would
produce them if possible.
The committee then ad journed until Tues
day, the chairman remarking that he hoped
to close up the investigation next week. Mr.
Coleman replied that the committee might
adjourn when it pleased, but the prosecu-
ton would not be driven to close up the
case.
GOVERNOR FOSTERS ADVICE