Evening star., 1883-07-25
The Hill Investigation.


TESTIMONY WANTED FROM QUINCY, MASS.
Before the Hill investigating committee this
morning Mr.. Coleman read an affi1avit reciting
tie frauds alleged to have been committed In con-
nect1ol With the stone dressing contracts, and
setting forth that testimony essential to the
prosecution could be obtained from persons resi-
ding at Quincy, Mass, where some Of the work
was done.
Mr.. Totten held that Mr.. Coleman was not en-
titled to the testimony he desired. 1t was not re-
buttal, but only cumulative proof.
Mr.. Coleman maiGt lined that the testimony
was important primarily, and proper to be given.
The committee reserved its decision upon the
question.
IN REGARD TO THE CHICAGO WITNESSES.
the chairman said that Mr.. Walbridge was now on
his way h"re and the collector expected to secure
the attendance OF King and Woodman.
Mr.. Coleman asked that King and WOodman be
authorized by telegraph to inspect the heating ap-
paratus in the Chicago building.
MT rotten said that Mr.. Coleman did not appear
10 Know what hts witnesses would swear to. He
OBJECTED to this del 1t threatened to stretch out
the proceedings TIL the crack OF doom.
Mr.: Coleman disclaimed any intention Of delay
Ing the proceedings
Mr.. HILL ON THE STAND AGAIN
Mr.. Hill was then placed upon the stand, to tes-
tfy In answer to the charges OF fraud in furnishing
elevators He said that a committee OF experts
appointed by the Secretary OF the Tresury to
lect elevators for the Chicago building had report
ca IN favor OF the Hale apparatus. The report was
| Toau IN eVQ Qpnce.
Mr.. Hill said that the subsequent awards OF con-
tracts Tor elevators had been based upon that re-
port
To Mr.. Coleman the witness said that he knew
! the report applied only to the elevators for the
| Chicago builiing The only advertisements after
That report were for steam or freight eleva-
t0rS ana not Tor hydraulic passenger elevators
! Circular letters may have been issued instead OF
adv &adv;rtIsements; but competition was had. Tn
derstOod that Otis Co. and Hale d Co. were
separate firms, but used the same patents. Otis
| Co. supplying the east and Hale & Co. the west.
Regarded an elevator as machine requiring such
ski! ana science In Its construction that IL did
not 1all within the statute prescribing advertise
| ments for proposals.
| Mr.. Coleman read Mr.. Hlls endorsement upon
| proposal by Otis q Co. for supplying elevators,
stating that he had compared the prices with the
! prices given by other nrms.
The witness said that he had not Invited COM
petition by other firms but had their price lists in
| his office. Referring to the two instances where
the lowest bidder had not secured the contract for
the record to show that the proposals did not con-
! template supplying efficient apparatus.
Mr.. Totten offered in evidence a statement of
the proposals for supplying the heating apparatus
| Tor tne PENSION building in this city now being
constructed under the superintendent OF Gen.
| MeigS
Mr.: Coleman remarked upon the failure OF Bart
lett, Robbins CO. to put in proposal. II the
| paper was presented to prove that that firm did
| not get all OF the work IL came too late, for the
bids were opened after this investigation had
Bartlett, Robbins Co. did not care to bid where
| Hill did not supervise the work
the wide difference in the eleven bdS-Irom $23 900
to $s1 ,OOO-where bidders We're required to supply
Their Specifications He supplemented it with
| statement OF the bidiin3 for heating apparatus
for the Cincinnati building, conducted according
10 TO, MI W. mrs plan, where tue bids ranged from
| Sl2S0 to $l51,0O0.
PROGRAM FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE WEEK
| The chairman announced that the committee
would tomorrow hear Mr.. Walbridge, o. Chi
| cago; on Friday Mr.. st. John. OF New York and
| on Saturday MesSrs. King and Woudman OF Chi
| an Nr I,nn St
| prevailed upon TO attend.
Mr.. coleman said he should refuse to examine
| Mr.. Walbrldge until the other witnesses were
present.
Tha chairman said in that event the committee
| would eX imine Mr.. Walbrdge upon the allega-
| tions contained In Mr.. Colemans affi lavit.
Mr. TOtten said that he should resolve himself
| persisted in his refusal.
The Chairman.-Tnts investigation has been
going on for SOM time. and h,s-
Mr. Totten qnterruptng >-"Petered out"
TONED in the charges. When the testimony is
completed the committee Will receive written briefs
and VIII hear oral arguments"
MT Coleman protested against this decision.
| without success. He then calei for certain pa-
pers. ana the chairman began to show signs of
,pi1ience. ne SAID that the call was for an enor
| they couli be found. Discussion followed.
lac committee then adjourned until Friday as
thcy mad decided, upon reflection. to consider Mr.
ColemanS objection to eX lnlining Mr. WaIbrIdpe
before the arrival OF the Chicago Witnesses
MR. sT1NEMETZ CALLS MR. THOMPSON A LIAR
After The STARS report OF the investigation
| closed yesterday Mr. Thompson OF the architects
Office, testified relative to tile cost OF stone cutting
FOR the Philadelphia post Office, and thought the
estimates made by Mr.. StinemetZ entirely too low
During his testimony he stated that he had heard
Mt StnemeH say in an Avenue restaurant that
II was now Ills time, and he Was going for the s-
perVlSing architect, the chief clerk and the chief
GGonputer Mt Siinemetz fatty reJoined that Mr..
thompson was liar. Mr.. Al Xtnder warned Mr.
stneliitZ 10 keep still or leave the ROOM Seure-
tary Folger appeared before the comnittee pre-
vlous to is adjournment and stated that there
was but $40 OF available FUNDS to pay expenses of
the proposed trip OF the committee TO Chicago.
DISCUSSION required TO the future course OF the
committee. Mr.. Totten believed that the DEFENSE
could conclude their case In a day. but Mr., Cole
maj refused to state anything regarding his ru-
ture course. The committee then adjourned to
meet at II o'clock this morning.