National Republican., 1883-07-20
SAFES AND HEATERS.
The Matters Under Consideration by the
Hill Investigation Yesterday.

Iho Matters Under consideration ny tho
Hill Investigation Yesterday.
In tho Hill investigation yesterday morn
ing Mr.. Stcinmets, who had taken ofense at
some remarks made Wednesday by Mr..
Thomas, made an attack upon that gentle
man, charging him with being the hireling of
contractors, and warning him that he would
not silently suffer rdicule.
Mr.. Thomas replied with humorous
apology, and the regular proceedings were re-
sumed.
Mr.. Coleman began the cross-examination
Of Mr.. Hill. The witness could not remem-
ber the names of any person except Mr..
Damon, OF whom he had purchased safes.
Other Dealers however, furnished safes, al
though he could not remember their names;
had bad no written communication with safe
makers other than Damon in regard to the
supply Of safes, but dealers had occasionally
called at the office. They applied for orders,
but upon learning Damon's rates declined to
compete. Where excessive freight rates did
not make it advisable to purchase safes near
the place of delivery, all safes were purchased
from Damon. Supposed that the advertise
ment of 1879 had been made because other
safe dealers had expressed desire to compete.
Did not advertise for the Utica vault because
Damon's prices were so low that he did not
consider IL worth while. Did not ask for
proposals from other dealers for that vault.
The examination was interrupted at this
point to allow Geo. l.. Remington, of Phila-
delphia, to testify. He said that he was u
shoemaker, using the Herring Farrell patents.
Know that Damon supplied the safes for the
Treasury department Damon's rates We're
much below the market prices and loss than
his company could build them for at profit.
Had talked to Mr.. Hill about supplying safes,
and saw no disposition on his part to exclude
him from competition.
Cross examined by Mr.. Hill Had q con-
tract with the Treasury department for sup
plying safes. 1t had been entered into about
% month ago. Had also an order for safes
given without advertisement about ten days
ago.
In answer to Mr.. Alexander the witness
| said that his firm had taken the contract for
supplying the safes at the Philadelphia post
Office because they regarded it as a valuable
| local advertisement, and were prepared to
sacrifice profit to that end, or even to lose
money Asked Mr.. Hill to make the adver-
tiscment, but they were under bid by Damon,
| whose bid was rejected because it was re-
ceived too late.
Mr.. Coleman remarked that he had heard
that Damon's bid had been purposely with
| held SO as to let this firm got the work
Mr.. Totten denied the correctness of Mr..
Coleman's information.
George Fredoricks of Baltimore, an archi-
tect, was the next witness. He had made
plans for many large public buildings, but
never himself attempted to draw plans for the
heating apparatus. Such work was given to
| specialists in the profession.
| The plans for the heating apparatus of the
Philadelphia postofice were examined by the
Witness and he said he knew of no architect
in the United States able to prepare them
certainly he was not. They were exceedingly
complicated and difficult to prepare.
The committee refused to allow the witness
to answer the question of whether or not the
architects Office should have called for the
services of specialist in preparing the plans
Mr.. Alexander remarked that the witness
had already indicated that he would have done
just as Mr. Hill did in that regard.
Mr. Coleman replied that the witness knew
nothing of the circumstances, and therefore
his answers did not warrant any such infer
ence He contendcd that Mr.. Hill had
violated the statutes in giving the work To
Hayward instead Of inviting competition
Mr.. Totten denied the applicability of the
statutes to this case--where expert service
was required.
The witness said that he had procured the
plans for the heating apparatus of the Balti
more city hall from Mr.. Hayward.
On cross examination he said the fact that
a bidder had prepared tho plans would give
him an advantage over other bidders if they
were not allowed time sufficient to examine
thoroughly the specifications. If the person
who made the plans adapted them to patterns
in his possession he would have an advantage
over other bidders All of his plans for heat
ing apparatus had been prepared by Mr. Hay
ward, and paid tor by office work done by the
witness for Bartlett, Hayward & Co.
Mr.. HIPS cross examination was then re-
sumed. He said that charges had been made
IN the specifications for the subtreasury vaul
in New York after advertisement, involving
an extra expense of $1,000. Damon received
the contract.
Mr.. Jacobs then took the stand and testified
regarding the rates paid for safes by Mr.. HilPi
predecessors, showing that they were mucl
higher than those paid by Mr.. Hill.
Mr.. Coleman made demand for all paper
connected with the supply of elevators ant
furniture to public buildings, and the com
mittee adjourned.