Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-06-25
THE HILL INVESTIGATION.
Damon. charge Of Rribery.

THE HILL INVESTIGATION.
Damon Charge Of Bribery.
The HIN investigation was resumed at 10:So
this morning. Mr.. r. P. Manly, president OF the
Manly-Cooper company OF Philadelphia, was
sworn as witness and testified In relation to the
offer OF bribery alleged to have been made by Mr..
Geo. l. Damon, OF the United States Fire Proof
Shutter company OF Boston. Witness first saw
Mr. Damon In the supervising architects office
the day the bids were opened for shutters
for the Cincinnati post offlce. Mr. Damon ap-
preached witness and said he Was very sorry he
had not seen him In season, as he should certainly
have induced him not to make bid. Witness
walked away and Mr.. Hill requested US to with
Witness understood by that remark that
Mr.. Hill wished to be alone. Mr.. Taylor and
witness withdrew, leaving Damon there: An hour
afterwards Mr.. Damon met witness and Mr. Taylor
aS they were coming from the dining-rO0m Of
Wiiard's hotel He tDamonl renewed the con-
proof shutters for the government, and was
anxious to do this work, and would like to submit
to witness proposition looking to the withdrawal
OF his bid: Witness replied that the only PROPOSE
tlon that he could entertain would be one to sub
let the contract to the U. S. company. Witness
LETTER FROM DAMON,
introducing to the Manly Cooper Co. Mr.. lyle r
as counsel for the q. s. company, also a tele-
gram from Damon making an appointment for q
meeting; Witness did not respond to the sug-
gestion, but Damon and Tyler came to the Office
suggested in the telegram. 1t was at o'clock In
the evening: Mr.: Cooper. Mr.: Taylor. and Mr..
present as well as witness. A conversation
ensued; witness repeated to Damon what he had
already said in regard 10 sus-lettfng; that there
was gOOd deal OF money In the contract, and II
the department was willing the Manly Cooper Co.
would consider proposition TO sublet. Mr.. Tyler
stated that W n
us 81 500 In consideration Of which were either
to withdraw our bid or offer shutter that would
would be entering into
CONSPIRACY AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT,
and the Manly-Coooper company could not for an
instant entertain it. The Interview then abruptly
terminated, and Messrs Damon and Tyler with
Witness was asked in regard to something which
Mr. Damon had said, when counsel for defense
say evidence and that it might not be possible for
the defense to get Mr.. Damon before the commit
tee IN rebutta and that 1t would be unfair to have
mere statement go on record as evidence.
UPON CRoss-ExAMINAT1oN
witness said:-We were willing to sub-let, but
under no circumstances would we Withdraw our
bid.
Ques.-You were ready to dicker then: why
were you ready to sub-let and let them do the
Ans.-Because Damon assured us that they
could do the work to Mr. Hill's satisfaction, but
we mad begun to think such was the case.
The cross-exam1nation ELECTED no new facts
save witness opinion that the United States COM
pany $4,000 for their contract and stil have
made money by assuming 1t.
CoRROBORATIvE TESTIMONY.
E1ward B. Allison was next sworn. Witness
gave his profession as a member OF the bar at
Philadelphia. Had acted as counsel for the
Manly-Cooper company. Witness then made
statement which fully cO:robOrated the testimony
OF Messrs Manly and Taylor relative to the
bribery offer.
MR.. HILL RECALLED.
Mr.. Hill was then recalled and was questioned
by Mr.. Coleman.
Ques-Have you any business interests, directly
or indirectly, With Mr. Damon.
Ans.-None whatever. In reply to further qtes-
tions, witness said Mr.. Damon had furnished
contracts and upon orders. In fact, most of this
work had been done by Mr.. Damon for years It
was let generally by yearly contract Mr.. Damon
had for years been the lowest bidder under adver-
tisement He was the sole party interested in this
work. He was also member of the United States
works.
Mr.. Coleman.-Thfs United States company ap-
pears to be incorporated in New York, and you
say Mr. Damon does their work in Boston. Now,
Is there any such company as the United States
Fire-proof Shutter company doing business any
Where or manufacturing anywhere on their own
Ans.-I have answered to the best of my knowl-
edge: understood that they controlled facilities
for making shutters.
Ques-Do you consider that you have a good
pond when you have the signature OF one member
surety?
Ans.-As a matter Of fact. don't look at the
bonds myself, trust to one OF my clerks.
Ques-DO you mean to say that you bind the
government to contract without personally know
ing anything in regard to the character Of the
bonds?
Ans.-Why bless you. yes II personally exam
1ned all bonds, should have time for nothing
else.
Mr.. Taylor was recalled. and made few cor
rectons OF the stenographic report Of his previous
testimony.
Mr.. Hill was again recalled, and was further
questioned relative to the bond furnished by the
United States company.
By Mr.. Coleman.-Do you consider it q good
bond?
.Ans.-I do not know. do not remember who
signed IT. l probably had an idea at the time as to
the responsibility of the parties.
By Ihe cominittee.-Do you not require the
articles OF incorporation as evidence OF the bona
hdeS Of a company?
Ans.-The accounting officer of the Treasury SO
requires. thiLk we have them In this case in our
files. - ~
Mr. Coleman.-We would like to see them.
After half hours delay the file clerk of the
architects Office reported that there was nothing
porat1on were doubtless in the second control
lerS of1ice.
Chairman New gave instructions to have search
made for them. At 80 p. m. the committee ed.
Journed I'LL tomorrow morning.
The New City Postmaster.
"a EYpECrEn OulrYrv No uopDnv