The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-06-16
WASHINGTON NEWS.
HILLS INVESTIGATION.
COlunbu CollsetOrshIp-KsIfsr's POsItIOn-rhs
Prs,id.nr. soIutIOn Of the DIaieuity-6oT'
sraOr Foster nIsr.pr,ssntsdin AZ later
view In regard to the GsrmaRI.

WASHINGTON, June l5.-The Hill 1nvef'
tigating Committee met to-day. Coleman,
counsel for Murch, called attention to the
request heretofore made upon the Super
vising Architect's Office for all papers
relating to the extra work performed by
Bartlett Robbins in the New York post
Office. aud inumated that his request had
not yet been complied with. Thomas, az
pearing for Hill, replied that the counsel
had not specified what particular papers
were referred to, and that the charges were
not sufficiently definite or explicit
MIR. Coleman replied that the charges
and specifications were as definite and
specific as would be required In the indict-
ment in half the States OF the Union, and
that an investigation OF this character
should open the doors for the fullest light
upon the official acts defined out. He
would therefore renew his request, and
would ask tue committee to make an order
upon the Supervising Architect for the pre-
dnction OF all the papers relating to tine
extra work performed by Bartlett, Rob.
bins & Co. upon the New York Pos
office, and also copies oil all the
contracts made with them. After "a
further argument without ruling upon the
question the committee decided TO resume
the examination OF Stinemetz in con-
necion with the charges OF fraud and COL
ruption in the construction Of the Phila.
delphia postoffice Witness had concluded
his calculations, and was prepared to show
the difference between the p'ice paid by
the Government to the contractors for
dressing the stone for the entire building
aud the actual c Jst oil the work, based upon
a liberal estimate for the labor. The
total amount paid by the Govern
ment 10 the contractors was $SlS. 700.
The cost to the contractor, allowing
liberal estimate Of at least Thirty per cent
for profit, was S443,100, leaving balance
Of $375, 900 unnecessarily paid by the Gov
ernment Tue basement and a portion OF
the second story having been begun under
the fifteen par cent contract and completed
under the modified contract, these portions
could uot be included in his calculations,
but at rough estimate the difference in
the two prices would add about 100000 TO
the previous totals.
THIS, concluded S!inemeiz's testimony,
and the question arose whether the com.
mittee and the defense would admit that
the same excess relatively existed in cost
Of other public buildings erected uadtr
Hill, or whether the prosecution wouli be
required TO repeat their proof with expert
testimony as to each. Alexander, Of the
committee, suggested that as the same
principle would extend to all buildings, it
would seem to devolve upon the prosecu.
ton to connect Hill with the fraud charged
In this alleged extravaganza in the erection
OF the Philadelphia building.
Coleman replied that 1t might be as bad
principle to steal $4,000 as 100000,
but the dlfense might say as to one build-
ing, I've admit extravagance but you have
not connected Hill with any fraud.
The prosecution were able, and they pre-
posed to prove the same extravagance. ma
management or fraud were shownin cor.
nection with all buildings, and that con-
tracts were continued to be made after the
Supervising Architect had been repeatedly
warned aud advise OF their unlaifness 10
the Government o.
A long discussion ensued, favored with
several sharp passages between counsel.
The point, however, was not decided
and the committee ajourned till lltc-morrow,
when Stineme,z will be cross examined.