National Republican., 1883-08-01
The Hill Investigators Devote Another Day to
the Chicago Heating Apparatus
A Few Rulings and Applications by
Counsel for Mr.. Murch.
Chicago Contractor Says the Machinery is Not
Up 10 the Specifications,
His Testimony Corrobornted by Master
Mechanic.

yesterday Mr.. Coleman asked for ruling on
request made by him four or FIVE weeks ago
that the committee secure the attendance
before them or have the testimony taken at
his home, of Mr.. NJ. II. St. John, of Albany,
N. Y, who, he thought could throw some
light on The contract system of the architects
office.
The chairman of the committee said that
he had corresponded with Mr.. st. John to
ascertain if he knew of any act or transac-
ton of the supervising architect which should
be presented to the committee. and Mr. st.
John wrote to him disclaiming any knowl-
edge of fraud or wrongdoing on the part of
Mr.. Hill, and saying his evidence would not
be important to the committee. The chair
man said that in view of this letter they
concluded that Mr.. st. Johns evidence was
not material, aud therefore would take no
further steps to secure it.
Mr.. Coleman then attempted tn explain
what he had expected to prove by Mr. st.
John, and offered to take the stand as o wit
ness for that purpose.
Mr.. New said that Mr.. st. Johns letter was
not put in as evidence, but was read simply
20 explain the action of the committee.
Mr.. Coleman then took the stand and said
he was informed that Mr.. St. john
He was interrupted at this point by Mr.. AL
exander and Mr.. Totten, who objected to
hearsay testimony.
The committee retired for a consultation,
and when they returned nothing further was
said on the subject.
Mr.. Coleman then asked for ruling on his
application for suspension of Mr.. Hill pend
ing the investigation.
The chairman said that the committee had
no power to grant this request. The ques-
tion had been submitted to Secretary Folger,
and he had refused the application.
Mr.. Coleman then asked for ruling on his
request that the committee take the testi-
mony of a number of witnesses in Quincy,
Mass, whose names and residences were
given.
The chairman said the committee would
rule on this application to-day.
Mr.. John Woodman, of the firm of Woou.
man Warren, of Chicago, was then called
to the stand and examined by Mr.. Coleman.
He had been in the steam and heating busi-
ness for nearly thirty years. He was IA
mliiar with the heating apparatus in the
Chicago custom house as constructed by
Bartlett Robbins & Co. In company with
Mr.. King, of Chicago he had made a careful
examination of the apparatus on Thursday,
Friday, and Saturday of last week, and made
special examination of the boilers and the
cast iron coils on the third floor. He read the
specifications of Bartlett, Robbins & Co.,
relating to the character and make of
the boilers. They required that the
boilers should have ninety-seven three
inch tubes. When he examined them
he found that the boilers only had
in tho heating capacity of the boilers. 1t
made difference in the cost of making the
boilers and the labor of setting them. He
could not tell the amount without making a
calculation. The specifications were also de-
parted from in the matter of bolts and nuts
for cast iron pipes, which numbered over 5000.
Square bolts were used while the specifca-
tions called for hexagon bolts The differ
ence was 10 per cent in the value of the bolts.
The witness also said he found difference
IN the length and dimensions of the
cast iron coils from what were
required. The coils on the third floor were six
inches less than required. The specifications
required the pipes TO be three-sixteenth inch
metal. He found some of the pipes used of
much less thickness. The fact that there
were less tubes and the pipes shorter and
thinner made q reduction in the heating ca
pacity and also reduction in the cost. The
inside measurement of the pipes was less than
required and made difference in the heating
capacity. The witness said he had examined
the reservoir tanks over the attic and found
that they differed from the specifications in
material and construction. A poorer quality
of iron was used than called for. A square
tank was put in where an angle tank was
called for. square tank is much cheaper
than an angle tank.
Mr., Coleman asked the witness if this
heating apparatus put in the Chicago build
ing was sufficient for the purpose. The wit
ness said he had heard clerks in the building
complain that it was insufficient.
Mr.. Totten objected to the witness telling
what he had heard.
Mr.. Coleman asked if it was not commonly
reported that the heating arrangements were
bad.
Mr.. Totten again objected and said he had
witness here who knew all about the heat
ing capacity of the building and could be
called whenever wanted.
Mr.. Coleman then asked the witness If he
could tell from his examination ii the heating
apparatus was sufficient.
Mr.. Woodman said he did not thinl1'the
heating apparatus sufficient to keep the build
ing at seventy degrees Fahrenheit with the
cold air ventilators open rs originally de-
signed. He estimated that there was II differ
ence of about 20 per cent. in the cost Of the
work as put in and US called for in the speci-
fcatons. He based his estimate on the char
acter of the apparatus on the third floor of
the building
In cross examination Mr.. Woodman ad-
-sisstted that he had bid for the
heatingN apparatus for the Chicago
building and did not get the contract. His
bid was about $4,000 more than that of the
lowest bidders-Baftlett Robbins Il Co. He
said he came to Washington in response to
telegram from the Treasury department, aud
then only on condition tina his expenses be
paid. and that he be furnished with copy
for the plans for the heating apparatus before
he left Chicago, so that he might examine
the building. A charge in the building miSht
require variation from the specifications
concerning heating apparatus.
In reply to II question by Mr.. Totten the
witness said n tube was piece of iron with
hole through it, which answer provoked a
laugh at the expense of Mr.. Totten The
witness said that there were two plugs in each
of the boilers, but he could not say whether
or not they closed up tubes. The pipes in the
coils being thinner than called for initiated
against the contractor, as a thin pipe cost more
than thick one.
Mr.. Coleman said he would admit this as an
offset in the final Judgment Of the court if
this was matter of account.
The cross examination of Mr.. Woodman
was continued at length and diversified by
spicy remarks of counsel, but did not result
in shaking his evidence in chief
In reply to question from Mr.. Coleman,
the witness said that about 95 per cent, of
heating apparatus in that climate (Chicago)
were steam.
Mr. A. B, King, of Chicago, employed by
the North Western Railway company, was
the next witness
In 1879 he was master mechanic in the Chi
cago custom house Is carpenter by trade;
heard Mr.. Woodman's testimony; he and
Mr.. Woodman examined the heating appa-
ratus in the Chicago building on Thursday,
nd Gnt Iaat Nm 'g