The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-07-18
THE HILL INVESTIGATION.
Testimony Which Doesn't Show Much OF
Anything.


WARRINGTON, July 1.-THE Hill investiga-
ting committee resumed its sessions to-day.
James 2. Lowell, of the architects office, was
recalled and testified there was no draughts-
man In the office in 1878 able to prepare plans
for hearing apparatus for tho Chicago building
Mr.. StinemetZ t)ok the stand an made a
general contradiction OF the witness Patters IN,
IN his testimony regarding the cost Of extra
work upon the New York pest office, and de-
clared that Patterson had used Hills figures
as the basis of his estimate.
Coleman proposed to show the relations ex-
isting between Hill and the American Safe
Company, U. S. Fire Proof Shutter Company
end Gee. Il. Damon whom he contended were
all one and the same party and intro cduced
many contracts Tor the purpc.e of trying to
prove that Damon had got all the contracts
for safes since Hill had bsen in offics. Mr..
Thomas remarked that all the contracts had
been advertiE 3D.
Mr.. Mclean Of the architects office testified
Hill had continued the practice OF his prede-
cessor, Mr.. Potter He had got safcJ lee3 than
the market price. A proportion to submit
mass of vouchers Ia bulk led u heated con-
troversy between Mr.. Thomas and Mr.. Cole
man, the latt9r intlmating that the vouchers
tended to show divide between Hill and the
contractors and Mr. Thomfs G.lerting that no
divide had ever taken place. The conmittee
decided to allow Coleman to prepare an abb
stract OF the vouchers to be used in evidence.
The following letter was read
MAGNOLIA, Miss, July 10, 1883
Hon. John G. Neao, Chairman. Washington,
ID. c..
Sir,-I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt at this place last evening of your tele-
gram saying the committee desired my pres
senee in Washington early this week. This
summons Is baEed, / a. lume, upon the belief
or suppositqn on the part oil the committee
that am able TO give testimony relating TO
the charges against the supervising architect
venture to acsume further arose out OF the
publication in the St. Louis Ps ,t-DeJpatch OF
what pnrports to be an interview with me
which supposed had been disposed OF 10 your
committees satisfaction. % now TO repeat
what said to you while in Washington 10
reply 70 your verbal request or suggestion that
/ should appear as witness before your com
mittee, viz: that had no knowledge or in
formation whatever touching the subject mat
ter OF your investigation, and If l were to ar
pear before your committee such would be
my statement. / have no desire to appear in
contempt OF your committee and have moth
ing to avoid in this matter except ucsless and
expensive journey. / trust, under the circum-
stances your committee will kindly relieve me
from the attendance demanded.
With great respect your obedient servant,
VIM. II. BLISS.
Mr. Coleman read in reply an editorial arti-
Gle published in the st. Louis Post-Despatch
of July 18th, stating: "The trustworthy and
guieles3 reporter who interviewed Mr.. Bliss is
willing TO mako affidavit to its accuracy"
The editorial remarks upon Mr.. Blie7's fall
ure to point out any defects in the report dur
ing his stay in st. Louis and charges him with
attempting to unload upon the reporter.
Mr. Coleman added that this article was en-
titled to cre1ence equally with Bliss letter.
An attempt was made by the prosecution to
take up thecharge of corruption in connection
with the construction ef slate roofs for public
buildings but no progress Yves made ard t'.-
committee adjourned.