The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-07-03
THE HILL INVESTIGATION.
The Other Side of the Alleged Bribery
Case

The Other Side of the Alleged Bribery
Case.
WASHINGTON, July 2.-The Hill inyestigat-
ing committee resumed its sessions this'foreuoon
anu O6n. s-s-4~-.:-.~-.,-
relative to cost Of extra work performed by
Bartlett, Robbins & Co., upon the New York
post office.
Mr.. Damon of Boston then took the stand to
meet Manly, Cooper & Co.'S charges, and was
examined by his counsel Patrick Collins. He
said he had engaged in the manufacture of
safes and fire-proof shutters, and was Presi-
dent of the United States Fire Proof Shutter
Co. Gen. Tyler went to the office of Manly,
Cooper & Go. and found there Manly, Cooper
& Tyler. They talked over the construction OF
various styles of shutters. Taylor said he did
not see how it would be polite for them not to
do work unless they could make as much
money as II they did it. Finally he was asked
Damon, what will you give US to withdraw
our contract" Witness declined to make any
offer and no sum was mentioned He told
them If they carried out the contract they
would lose money just as Chicago people had
done. The conversation then closed and he
next met Manly, Cooper people at the test.
Mr.. Collins wished to show by witness the
superiority of the United States Company 3
shutter over that furnished by Manly, Cooper
& Co, and that there was sufficient reason for
the award to the United States Company even
at SIC, ,000 greater cost.
Mr.. Coleman replied that II this question
was taken up he should insist upon the atten-
dance of representatives, of Manly, Cooper &
Co.
Mr.. Alexander said the Manly Cooper case
had been closed except as concerned tie S4,-
800 bribe alleged to have been offered.
The chairman sustained this view and the
Damon examination closed.
John Babson OF Boston, Secretary of the
United States Fire Proof Shutter Co., testified
that he heard conversation in the supervising
architects Office when the bids were opened
December 11th last. Witness heard Manly in
vite Damon to 90 over to the hotel Hill did
not order any one out of the office.
The evidence for the United States Shutter
Co. closed at this point and Gen. Stinemetz re-
sumed his testimony. A charge of Si,132 for
one staircase in the New York post Office he
said, should have been reduced 10 $500. He
insJaDced cases where extra charges had been
made by notifications OF the original plans for
balustrades when no extra expense had been
incurred. All the notifications benefited the
contractor rather than the government Sew
eral charges made for extra work done under
verbal order the witness declared should not
have been allowed. Altogether about $4,000
had been illegally charged and allowed for
extra work upon the New York post Office by
Earliest Robbins & Co. Some of their work
was Of the poorest quality.
Mr.. Thomas asked IL he had not made the
estimate OF 1888 900 as the cost of the exte enslon
OF sea wall. Witness answered his estimate
was $66, 900, but Hill estimated 1t at $4,000
and afterwards had to add $4,000 10 that sum.
Could not tell without consulting the bills
whether the same items had been charged for
as extra and contract work. He had been
instructed by Mullett in letter on file not to
give any verbal orders TO workmen and had
rigidly observed that instruction.
Colemansnext read letter to Mr.. Oakshot,
architect in charge Of the New York post office
building, from the supervising architect on
February IL, 1877, requesting him to certify
the enclosed VOUCHERS for work perforsed by
Bartlett Robbins & Co.
Mr.. Hill was called upon to produce certain
vouchers and the committee adjourned until
July 9TH, when 1t is expected the evidence
in the Bartlett, Robbins & case will be con-
cluded.