National Republican., 1883-07-21
HEATERS AND SLATE FASTENERS.
The Subjects Under Consideration by the
Hill Investigation Hesterioy-Mr. murch
Threatens Ia pVIycrlgc F7r. wottcn.

|
Hill Investigntion Yesterday-Mr. Iurcb
Threatens 20 PulvcriLc MIR. Tottcn.
Before the Hill investigating committee
yesterday Mr.. Coleman read an affidavit,
which recited that A. b. King, Milo Wal
bridge, and John Woodman, all of Chicago,
were important and material witnesses to the
fact that the heating apparatus of the Chicago
postofIice, furnished by Bartlett, Robbins &
Co., was of poor quality and improperly con-
structed. 1t was stated that these witnesses
could not be brought to Washington, and the
committee was requested to adjourn to
Chicago for the purpose of taking their testi-
mony.
f. ID. Bradbury, of this city, was called by
| the defense MS an expert in heating apparatus.
He testified that il was not feasible TO require
each bidder for supplying such apparatus to
| furnish his own specifications.
The plans for the Philadelphia postoflice
were pronounced by the witness to be very
easy of comprehension.
Mr.. Coleman then proposed to show that
all of the contracts for slate roofs had been
accompanied by specifications, requiring the
states to be fastened by the Farquhar patent
| process; that that patent was not the best rs
MIR. Hill well knew, aud that lower bids pro-
posing to use better lastenings had been re-
| iected Thus it happened, said Mr.. Coleman,
! that Farquhar had monopoly OF the bus-
ness of putting on slate roofs; for no person
could use his patent without paying royalty
/ to him.
| Mr.. Totten pointed out that one of the con-
tracts called for the Farquhar patent fastener
or another equal thereto.
| Mr.. Coleman replied that il amounted to u
practical designation of that fastener.
Mr.. Totten admitted that up to u certain
date the contracts did cali for the Farquhar
fastener, because up to that time there was no
| other fastener known TO the department.
| Mr.. Steinmetz Cinterrupting) Indeed, look
at the New York postoflce.
Mr.. TOtteu, continuing, said that when
other fasteners were known to the depart
ment, the specifications had been opened to
them, with requirement that they be equal
to tho Farquhar patent
| During lull in the proceedings Mr.. Cole
man humorously remarked to Mr. Totten
that he had received n letter from Mr.. Murch,
informing him that within half an hour after
! Mr.. Murch met Mr.. TOtten the latter would
| have to be advertised for.
\ model of slate roof was exhibited TO the
committee with the object of showing the
superiority of another fastener over the
Farquhar patent. Edward Wallace, q slater,
testified that other patents We're better than
the Farquhar in cases where repairs wore
| necessary.
To Mr.. Alexander tho witness said that he
| had first heard of the Jones patent ION exhi-
bition) about two years ago. Before that
time the Farquhar patent was the best in use,
| but copper wire was equal to anything for
the purpose.
MIR. Stoinmetz testified that ho had in
spected the Farquhar patent fastener upon
| the Boston postollice building by direction OF
Mr. Mullott in 1873 As n result, he had re-
fused to use the Farquhar patent, in a report
made to Mr.. Mulett.
On cross-cxamination he said that he knew
of no building whore the Jones patent was in
use. Regarded copper wire as better than
any patent fastening.
! Mr.. Coleman then read some contracts
dated in 1850, requiring states to be fastened
| with Farquhar's fasteners and called atten-
tion to the fact that specifications gave the
address of the patenJeo.
Mr.. Totten said that the Farquhar fastener
was the only one known to the department
prior to January 81, 1881, and contracts mad
after that date allowed the use of their pat.
| ents.
A delay in the production of Mr.. Stein
metz's report irritated Mr.. Coleman, and he
charged that all of the papers called for by
the prosecution had been subjected to the
scrutiny of the defense. He declared that
the secretary of the treasury had shown
lack of earnestness in not suspending Mr.
Hill from Office during the progress of the in
| vestigation.
Mr.. Hill took the stand and testified that
the Farquhar fastener had been used by Mr.
Mullett upon the Boston postoiilce with good
results He regarded the Jones fastener a'
of some merit, but thought that it weakened
the slate. Had spoken to Col. Casey or En-
gineer Green about tho State department
roof, but could not remember whether or no
he had suggested the use of Farquhar fasten,
ors. Had never superintendent the cons true
tion of slate roofs.
Mr. Lowe, of the architects office, testified
that it was highly advantageous to submit t.
bidders specifications for heating apparatus
Adjourned until to-day.