National Republican., 1883-07-19
ruE NM 1NvEsTIGArION.


TIE HILL INVESTIGATION.
MIR. Thomas Hopes 20 Live TO Sec u Bin-
tshcd--nIore Evidence on the Matter OF
Safes.
The Hill investigation resumed yesterday
morning at IL o'clock Mr.. Thomas an
nounced that his engagements compelled him
to retire temporarily from the case Ho said
that when he entered IL he did not expect the
investigation to last over two weeks, but it
now looked to him as though it might stretch
out to the crack of doom. lie compared the
investigation to a good old fashioned case of
consumption, in which the patient outlived
his physicians and friends. When Mr.. Cole
man had offered all the papers he could find
in the Treasury department, and there were
no documents in that building that had not
been submitted TO the committee, and
If he (Mr. Thomas) and the members
of the committee were still living
when Mr.. Coleman got through, ho
would return to this city und take part In the
closing arguments Of counsel. He referred
sarcastically to the mysterious absence of Mr..
Murch, and paid his compliments to Messrs.
Steinmetz and Wilbur as tho "greatcst pa
triots the world has ever known since the
days of Aaron Burr" Mr.. Thomas added that
| while away he would continue to think of 10
| per cent, aud modified contracts heating ap-
paratus, salamanca safes, &C., &c, and Murch,
"who has hicd himself away to the rock
| ribbed coast of Maine, not to consume 140
days in cutting old stone, but to hand around
| the hat among the men who labor by tho day
| whilst he lives at the Riggs house."
Mr.. Coleman offered in evidence vouchers
! for moneys paid to George l.. Damon on ac-
count of safes and repairs thereto since 1876,
| for public buildings in New York, Philadel-
MI 10 D..
of which safes no contracts were made.
Mr.. Coleman asked for the correspondence
between Mr.. Hill and Mr.. Damon in refer
enco to safes and vaults since 1876.
| Mr.. Steinmetz was then recalled to testify
| in regard to the heating apparatus in the GUS
tom house in Chicago, which he pronounced
| inferior in quality and workmanship; that
most all the ventilators were boarded up in
the large mail room and the atmosphere was
| in n bad state.
| Mr.. Coleman announced that the prosecu-
ton had closed the Damon case with the ex
ception of introducing the correspondence be-
tween Mr. Hill and Mr.. Damon.
Mr.. Jacobs, of the architects office, testi-
fled that MIR. Hill had pursued the practice of
| his predecessor (Mr. Potter, in obtaining
safes for public buildings. Mr. Damon had
furnished the safes since 1879.
Mr.. Coleman objected to the testimony of
this witness-a man who was as deep in the
self In the original charges he was as deeply
| implicated as Hill.
Mr.. Totten warmly replied that nobody
was implicated by charges made by this per-
son Murch-a self confessed cheat and rascal.
Mr.. Coleman retorted that Mr.. Murch had
not been SO regarded by the newspapers, but
they did characterize Hill as corrupt.
The chairman decided to hear Mr.. Jacobs
testimony. He said that safe men had said
to him that they would like to furnish safes,
but could not compete with Damon in his
| prices. The persons were representatives of
the Herring Farrell Safe company. On cross
| examination the witness said that there had
been but one advertisement for safes since
1879. Was satisfied that Potter did not re-
sign because he did not care to continue Null
let's practices; that had since followed by
Hill. Witnoss's knowledge of the cost of the
safes supplied was derived from the vouchers
and orders passing through his hands.
Witness was interested naturally in this
investigation because he believed il to be an
outrage.
Mr.. Coleman-Dont you know that IL there has
been any corruption going on in the supervising
architects office, you have been concerned in III
The witness Qndignantly)-I know no such
thing.
of it?-A. By a man never saw. / feel interested
because the investigation concerns the whole
Office
The witness was asked if the office had not
rolralnou from advertising 1or safes so as TO
aid Damon in his business.
He answered that he could not answer
that question.
Mr.. Hill thon took the stand, and said that
Damons figures were SO low that other safe
makers told him they could not compete.
The indifference manifested by safe makers
was the reason why advertisements were not
more frequent Advertisements were made
only to protect the department and get a
fair rate. Mr.. Damon had not been given
the slightest advantage over other dealers in
safes.
Mr.. Totten asked if it was customary to
advertise for one safe; Mr.. Coleman objected,
maintaining that the statute was arbitrary in
requiring advertisement in every case.
Mr.. Totten read legal authority wherein
it is held that advertisement is unnecessary
in cases where special qualities are necessary.
He held that safes were of this character, be-
ing covered by patents.
Mr. Coleman argued the contrary PROPOSE
tion at some length He said that the statute
was clearly intended to prevent Just what had
been done hcre-giving to one man all of the
work of one kind.
} The witness, continuing said that safes were
usually required in haste, SO that time could
; not be allowed for advertisement. Three OIL
four kinds of safes were equal to Damon.
safes, which were generally satisfactory.
Cross examination was deferred until to-
day, and the committee adjourned.
|