New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-25
NATIONAL CAPITAL TOPICS.
IN DEFENCE OF Mr.. HILL.
GENERAL srENMRrz CALLS Mr. THOMPSON
LIAR.

LIAR.
WASHINGTON July 2i.-Before the Hill
Investigating Committee to-day Mr. FIR nch, Assistant
Secretary of the Treasury testified that the committee
tof which he was memberl appointed by Secretary
sherman consider the proposition to moiy tue 10
per cent stone contracts had reported In favor OF trans
forming those contracts They thought that such
modification would be for the interest OF the
Government and that 10 could be effected through
An Arrangement with the contractors. The opIno, OF
the Attorney General to the contrary not shstandhg
the committee believed that the Government could DC
held TO the terms Of the original contracts ana was
thought beat to make amicabie arrangements with tue
tractors by allowing them fair compensation Ihefe
other why controversy should be avoided
such the delay Consequent upon breach OF contrac
and the amount Of dressed and finished stone In the
hands OF tue contractors o. course the witness knew
nothn o the amount that should properly be paid for
stone work. but Mr. Hill and Colonel Casey hxed the
price In the contracts rates that they regarded AZ
advantageous the although not as good
rs might have been had after competition.
To Mr. Coleman the witness said that he had nothing
to do with fixing the price for atone work IN the mod
fed contracts.
Mr. Thompson OF the architects Office, testified that
69.I96 cubic feet OF granite had been cut by MI
Dixon for the PHILADELPHIA building under the day labor
contract at cost OF sl9 per foot Under the modinea
copract 1857 feet had furnished at cost 50 S22
1OOt Witne8a ma examined tue estinihtcn vi 'Ho
cost of cutting by Mr. steinmetz and thought
his prices for facework entirely too low
Mr. Cluss architect OF this city, testified That ne
should call IN expert where heating apparatus Oh
complex character required. The plans for the
heating apparatus for the Philadelphia house were sud-
mitted 10 the witness and were characterized as very
complex. He did not think that the expert who pre-
pared the plans had any advantage other BIDDERS
Mr. Thompson resumed the stand and continued his
testimony Hc reviewed Mr. steinmeH's estimates IN
detail and alleged that they erroneous IN many
particulars
At this uncture the Secretary OF the Treasury came
into the room and stated that after consultation with
the First Controller he found that only S76 40 tan mex
90 complete the Coicago buildinD was available
20 pay the expenses Of the committee TO Chicago
The appropriation for contingent expenses was so
specifically worded IL coud not be avaied or When
these facts made known 90 him he had teegraphed
the collector at Chicago to send the witnesses In GOV
eminent employ and 10 ascertain II the other persons
called for would N their expenses were paid
Again Mr. Thompson resumed ais testimony. lie hah
heard Mr. Stenmrtz make threats against the superv@
ing architects Office In his nearing In restaurant VT
Stelnnetz mad said that now hrs time and ne was
going for supervising archtet the chief clerk ana
the chief computer
Mr. steinmetz asked where the conversation occurred
Mr. ThOmpson answered that &c had happened IN an
Avepue restaurant and named person VINO womu cur
Therc1pon Mr. s,einmetz fatty called Mr. Thompson
liar ~, -
leave the
some dfscns-ion followed IN regard to the future
course OF the committee secreaFy's statement hay
ing disposed Of the proposition to go TO chicago