National Republican., 1883-06-01
INVESTIGATION THREATENED.

A Rumor that the Supervising Architect
is to BE Called 20 Account for Alleged
Shortcomings.
The investigation into the affairs Of the
supervising architects office was commenced
again at the Treasury department yesterday
morning. Mr.. James Coleman appeared as
counsel for Mr. Murch, and Mr.. John L.
Thomas represented Architect HILL Mr..
Murch and Mr.. Hill were both present. Mr..
Coleman said he desired to put in evidence all
papers bearing upon what are known as the
10 per cent. contract.
Mr.. Blair, of the department Of Justice,
objected to the introduction of the evidence
on tho ground that the first contract with
the Dix Island Granite company was made
by Mr.. Hills predecessor in office, Mr.. Null
lett, and consequently had no bearing upon
this investigation.
Mr.. Coleman said it was evident that Mr..
Blair and himself could not act in harmony
in this Investigation, and asked that the let
ter of Mr.. Murch requesting tho appointment
of government counsel to assist him, upon
which Mr.. Blair was detailed, be withdrawn.
Chairman New said that in order to proceed
to business the committee would let Mr..
Blair's objection 20 over for the present. This
was satisfactory to all concerned, and Mr..
Coleman then offered in evidence contract
made in 1873 between ex-Supervising Archi-
tect Mulett and the Dix Island Granite COM
pany for furnishing stone for tho New York
postofice.
Mr.. Coleman said he proposed to show that
this contract entitled the contractor to 10 per
cent. profit, but that the latter with the
knowledge of Mr.. Hill, who was then as
sistant supervising architect, increased the
figures, and that new contracts were made
with this company without advertising for
proposals. Other contracts with the same
company for work on tho st. Louis Boston,
and other public buildings were also offered
in evidence. Mr.. Coleman said he would also
offer in evidence the regular weekly reports
of the superintendents in charge of the con-
struction of these buildings. acquisitions
had been made for them several weeks ago,
but they have not yet been furnished.
Mr.. Thomas replied that the reports would
be forthcoming in q few days.
Mr.. Coleman then proposed that the COM
mittee issue subpGnas for the appearance of
certain witnesses, and that two experts be
appointed-one to be designated by the COM
mittee, and the other by the prosecution-to
investigate the alleged fraudulent granite
contracts. He thought II could bo shown
that the government had paid hundreds of
thousands of dollars more than the stone was
worth at the highest market rates, and that
work was paid for which was never per-
formed.
Mr.. Thomas objected to the appointment of
experts, and the question was taken under
consideration by the committee
After doliberation Mr.. New stated that, as
Mr.. Steinmetz was already acting as an ex-
pert in this matter on behalf of Mr.. Murch,
there would be no difficulty in selecting an
other expert to represent the supervising
architect.
Mr.. Coleman then asked for an adjourn
ment till Tuesday next in order to allow the
experts time to examine tho papers bearing
on the contracts in question.
Mr.. New said that tho committee would
consent to this arrangement so far as Mr..
Murch's interests were concerned, but would
meet on Monday next to hear evidence on
the charges preferred by Pouison & Eyes, of
Brooklyn, and Manly, Cooper, & Co., of Phil
adelphia, whose witnesses are now in the city
awaiting examination. The committee then
adjourned till Monday.
Mr.. A. S. Thomson, chief computor Of tho
architects oflicr, has been detailed to repre-
sent Supervising Architect Hill as one of the
experts to examine the papers relating to the
contracts with the Dix Island Granite com
pany.