Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-07-21
The Hill Investigation.


sHARP PASSAGE BETWEEN couNsEL-THE INQUIRY A
FARCE.
Mr.: Coleman opened the proceedings to-day be-
fore the Hill Investigating committee by reading
an amdavit complaining that the papers called for
by the prosecution first inspected by the de-
tense, who had ample opportunity to suppress
and destroy any papers calculated to damage the
defense.
Mr.. Totten emphatically denied that he had ex-
amined any paper called Tor by Mr. Coleman, with
the single exception of an unimportant letter put
IN evidence yesterday. he also denied that any
paper had been suppressed or destroyed and
characterized Mr. Coleman's method Of procedure
as extraordinary.
Mr.. Coleman replied that it was matter of Jest
Ia the once OF the supervising architect that the
an essential paper. He said the fact that Mr..
Hill remained In charge OF the official records
made the Investigation perfect farce In the eyes
MI. Totten challenged the gentleman to call q
single witness in support OF his assertion that en-
pl0yes had suppressed papers.
take the matter under consideration, and submit
1t to the Secretary: The committee had no power
to suspend Mr.. Hill.
SKATERS TESTIMONY.
George Fitch, slate roofer, was called for the
defense, He said that he had read in the papers q
statement by one OF the witnesses that copper
wire was superior to the FarQuhar fastener for
slate roofs, ana 1t had caused him to laugh
| ue aSSeTCcu tuaG IQo FaEQuldr fastener
was much superior to wire, and described its
advantages.
On cross-examlnation the witness said that he
kept restaurant, but also did slate work.
MI. C0leman.-"Do you slate your customers"
A-"Yes; when they don't behave themselves !
put French roof on them" [Laughter.l
COMPARATIVE COST OF SLATE ROOFS.
Mr.. Thompson, OF the architects offlce, testified
that the cost OF labor upon the slate roof OF the
New York post ONCE was s27S1 per square, and
with the slate the cost was $4S SO. Upon the Gin
clnnati building and others constructed by Mr..
Hill, the total cost was about sa7 per square.
monthly reports that the labor upon the roof OF
the New York building cost s11 per square. but
could not positively contradict Mi. Thompson.
CROSs-FIRING.
Mr.. Totten announced that he was prepared to
begin the defense in the Philadelphia case, as he
understood that it had been closed for the prose-
cut1on.
Mr.. Coleman declared that he had no PhIladel-
phia case, or Chicago case, or Cincinnati case
they were all parts OF one charge, and he should
The chairman sail that it was not necessary to
repeat the testimony given in the Philadelphia
case In the case OF the Chicago and Cincinnati
buildings. the committee would concede that
the same condition Of AFFAIRS existed in these
cases.
NJ: Coleman replied that the frauds were OF q
The chairman said that the committee would
hear any testimony OF q character different from
tnaG ALREADY given IN the Philadelphia case, but
did not wish to spend weeks in hearing that testi-
CATION.
MI. colernan.-"But the defense deny that it Is
the same"
The Chairman.--.sI don't so understand"
Mr.. Coleman.--"I do; and am Toing to ofYef
the proof and let you reject It."
The Chairman.-"Oner IT. then"
Mr.. COleman.-"We take ND but ono case 1t \
time"
Mr.. Alexander moved that Mt. Hin be required
10 put In his testimony when Mr.. Coleman had
none 70 O6ef, and this order WAS flnally made ne
Also gave notice that he would move At the proper
ume 20 rule out all evidence touching the Is per
cent cODtruotS,
MT Coleman ASKED Il the committee intended to
The chairman replied that tnvy must first catch
their hare. The committee did not know WheFo to
find Mr.. Bliss w
Adjourned until Monday.