The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-22
THE HILL INVESTIGATION
The Demand of MIR. Coleman for All Con
tracts for Shutters Refused.


tracts for Shutters Refused.
WASHINGTON, June 21.-The Hill investi-
eating committee met this morning. Mr.
Coleman asked TO be furnished with all con-
tracts made by the United States for fire.
proof shutters.
Chairman New replied that the question
was too general, and must be made more
specific.
Mr.. Coleman-If they will furnish US with
all the contracts we can readily see what we
want, without letting them know in advance
just what we propose to do. When the
prosecution is compelled to depend on the
defense for their papers, it is pretty difficult
matter to specify in advance the particular
papers that may be required, particularly as
in some instances we do not know what
papers are in existence,
Chairman New then adverted to the state
ment counsel made yesterday in regard to
the conduct OF this investigation, and char
acterized any statement that the committee
is giving the investigation a half-hearted sup
port, or is disposed to impede it, as abso-
lutely untrue.
Mr.. Coleman-No such statement was
made. What 1 said was to show that the ad-
ministration is not Offering or affording any
assistance in the prosecution of this investi-
cation, which is being carried on at the ex-
pense of private individuals, and is in great
contrast with the spirit shown in the prose
cution of the star-route cases. l did not in
tend, nor do I desire to reflect upon this com
mittee, who are doing all in their power to
further this investigation and are affording
us every facility.
Mr.. New-You are as familiar as any of
us with the laws regulating disbursement of
funds by the Treasury Department and you
know we have no money, either to pay
witness or attorney fees. Ii you should go
before grand jury and procure an indict-
ment then | have no doubt YOU would have
every announcement from the administra-
tioE to which you allude, and the Depart
ment of Justice would assume the expense of
the prosecutions; but in this case it is totally
different.
Mr. Murch then took the stand for cross
examination.
In answer to a question as to whom he rep
resented before the committee, Mr.. Murch
replied that he represented himself alone,
and that the statement attributed to Hill
that he (witness) was being paid by the stone
cutters was absolutely false
Question--Is not your only reason for at
tempting to connect Hill with these frauds the
fact that he was member of the commission
before which you appeared, and that the COM
mission refused to listen to your demands?
Answer-That is true; the fact that he was
member of the commission, that he was
made aware of frauds and still persisted in
his course is my reason for connecting him
with the frauds.
Question-Do you not know that if Hill
had acceded to your demands it would have
1Nn1, -. Ill
and would have compelled the government
to finish its buildings with q totally different
kind of granite?
Answer know nothing of the kind I
know there were twenty quarries on the
coast of Maine, owned and controlled by
separate parties, who were then furnishing
granite, and could and would have furnished
the same quality of granite, both in texture
and appearance, as that which was then
being used.
Question-If the IS per cent contracts
had been abrogated would not the govern
ment have been compelled to pay the prices
which your stone-cutters would have de-
manded?
Answer--We offered to do the work for $3
per day, and Mr. Hill, under the modified
contracts, paid $3.50
The cross-examination was pursued
at great length. Witness said that
the greatest frauds upon the Phila-
delpha building were perpetrated after
Hill became Supervising Architect, and after
a superintendent had been put in charge by
the Architects Office. This superintendent
was totally incompetent, and permitted the
grossest frauds; yet he is in the employ of
the Architects Office
In reply to a question by Mr.. Coleman,
witness said his groand of complaint against
Hill was, that after having his attention
called to the gross frauds which were being
perpotrated, Hill still went ahead and made