The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-01
THE HILL INVESTIGATION.
Getting Down to work-Experts Appointed
to Examine Papers

Getting Down to work-Experts Appointed
to Examine Papers.
WASHINGTON, May 3L-The investigation
of the affairs of the supervising archi-
tects Office of the Treasury commenced this
morning. James Coleman appeared as coun-
sci for Mr.. Murch, and John L. Thomas rep
resented 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 Is per cent. contract
Mr.. Blair, of the Department of Justice
objected to the introduction of the evidence
on the ground that the first contract with
the Dix Island Granite Company was made
by Mr.. Hills predecessor in office, Mullett,
and consequently had no bearing upon this
investigation.
Mr.. Coleman said that it was evident that
Mr. Blair and himself could not act in har-
mony in this investigation, and asked that
the letter of Mr.. Murcn requesting the ap-
pointment of government counsel to assist
him. upon which Mr.. Blair was detailed, be
Withdrawn.
Chairman New said that in order to pro-
coed to business the committee would let Mr.
Blairs objection go over for the present.
This was satisfactory to all concerned and
Mr. Coleman then offered in evidence a
contrsct made in 1873 between ex-Supervis-
ing Architect Mullett and the Dix Island
Granite Company for furnishing stone for the
New York postoffice.
MIR. Coleman said he proposed to show that
this contract entitled the contractor to Is
per cent profit, but the latter with the
knowledge of Mr. HILL who was then assist
ant supervising architect, increased the fig
ures, and new contracts were made with the
company without advertising for proposals
Other contracts with the same company for
work on the st. Louis, Boston. and other
public buildings were also offered in evidence.
Mr. Coleman said he would also offer the reg
ular weekly reports of the superintend-
dents in lcharge of construction on these
buildings. acquisitions had been made
for them several weeks ago, but they were
not vet furnished. Mr.. Coleman then pro-
posed that the committee issue subppnas for
the appearance of certain witnesses and that
two experts be appointed, one design ated by
the committee and the other by the prosecu-
ton, to investigate the alleged fraudulent
granite contracts. He thought it could be
shown that the government paid hundreds
of thousands of dollars more than the stone
was worth at the highest market rates, and
paid for work which was never performed.
Mr.. Thomas objected to the appointment
of experts, and the question was taken under
consideration by the committee.
After consultation, Chairman New stated
that as Mr.. Steumetz was already acting as
an expert in this matter on behalf of Mr..
Murch' there Woclu De no e'InCulty IN Sc
lecting another expert to represent the SUI
pervisng architect.
Mr. Collins then asked for an adjourn
ment till Tuesday next in order to allow
the experts time to examine the papers
bearing on the contracts in question.
Mr. New said the committee would con-
sent to this arrangement as far as Murchs
interests were concerned but would meet
on Monday next to hear evidence on the
charges preferred by PaulsoE and Eyes, of
Brooklyn and Manly. Cooper & Co., of
Philadelphia. who are witnesses, and are
now in the city awaiting examination. A.
G. Thomson, chief computer Of the architects
office has been detailed to represent Super
vising Architect Hill as expert examiner of
papers relating to contracts with the Dix
Island Granite Company.