Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-07-18

The Hill investigating committee resumed
its sessions today.
James P Lowell, OF the architects Office,
was recalled and testified there was no
draughtsmsn in the Office in 1873 able to pre-
pare plans for heating apparatus for the
Chicago building.
Mr.. Stinemetz took the stand and made a
general contradiction of the witness and of
Patterson. in his testimony regarding the
cast Of extra work upon the New York post
Office, and declared Patterson had accepted
Hills figures as the basis of his estimate.
j. G. Hill, supervising architect of the
treasury, in regard to the published state
ment that he intends to resign when the
present investigation is closed, said il was
premature
Coleman next proposed to show the rela-
tons existing between Hill and the American
Safe Co, U. S. Fire Proof Shutter Co. and
George L. Damon, all one and the same per-
son, as he said.
Five contracts for furnishing iron shutters
for public buildings made with the U. S. Fire
Proof Shutter Co. were put in evidence.
Coleman called attention to the fact that
they were signed bv Damon as superinten-
dent of the company, and asked if the de-
fence would concede that they were all of
the contracts made tor the supply of fire
proof shutters since August lst. 1876.
Hill acknowledged that such was the fact.
The next in evidence were the contracts
made with Geo. L. Damon for supplying safes
and vaults for pablo buildings.
Thomas inquired the reason for the intro
duction of this evidence.
Coleman answered that he was trying to
show that Damon got all Of the contracts for
safes made by the supervising architects Of
fee since Mr.. Hill had been in office
Thomas remarked that all of the contracts
had been advertised.
Coleman asked if the defence would con-
cede that Damon was the only contractor for
safes and vaults since 1876.
Hill could not say, but thought it was
probable.
The next in order were a number of con-
tracts for safes and vaults which Coleman
said had been made with Damon under YER
bal authority and without advertisement.
Mr.. McLeon, Of the architects office, tes-
titled that Hill had continued the practice of
his predecessor, MIR. Potter, in procuring
safes. The prices paid by the government
were much less than the market prices.
Fourteen safes were furnished after the ad-
vertisement for the Philadelphia postoffice by
Fargo & Co., although Damon was the lowest
bidder That award had been made since
the beginning of this investigation.
A proposition to submit in bulk a mass of
| vouchers led to passage between the coun-
sell Coleman would not say that there had
been a divide between Hill and Damon. but
the business had been conducted in such
way that it was possible to have made such
a divide and no other person could have
known of it. The work should have been
advertised for, but there was a reason for not
doing it which was that secret divide might
be made possible.
Thomas replied that the gentleman might
stop here month, but the evidence he could
put in would not support his charge. The
proof was the other way, that there had been
no divide.
Mr.. Coleman said he could go into the
subject of elevators, of plumbing, of any
branch and show that there was always one
man as in the case of Bartlett. Robbins &
Co. with whom the supervising architect
did business in such a manner that divide
was possible without anyone else knowing it.
The committee decided to allow Coleman
to prepare an abstract of the vouchers to be
read in evidence.
The chairman then read the following let
ter:
'MAGNOL1A. Miss, July Is, 1888.
Hon. John G. New, chairman, Washington,
DC.
SIR have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt at this place, last evening. of your
telegram saying the committee desired my
presence in Washington early this week.
This summons is based assume upon the
belief or supposition on the part of the COM
mite that | am able to give testimony relat-
ing to the charges against the supervising
architect, now being investigated, and such
impression, venture to assume further,
arose out of publication in the St. Louis
Post Democrat of what purports to be an in
terview with me which l supposed had been
disposed of to your committees satisfaction.
| beg to repeat what l said to you while in
Washington, in reply to your verbal request
| or suggestion that should appear as a wit
ness before your committee; VIZ: That
| had no knowledge or information whatever
| touching the subject matter Of your investi-
cation. and if was to appear before your
committee such would be my statement. /
have no desire appear in contempt of your
committee and have nothing to avoid in this
matter except an useless and expensive jour
ney. | trust, under the circumstances, that
your committee will kindly relieve me from
| the attendance demanded. With great re-
spect, Your Obedient Servant,
WIN. H. BLISS"
The American Ri0p Team