Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-06-04

A
CUTTER SAYS OF MIR. WALTERS TESTIMONY.
When the Clark Investigation was resumed
to-day the cross-examination of Mr.. Richard
Rothwell, who testified yesterday I'm approval
of the marble work in the terrace at the Cap
itol, was continued.
Mr.. Rothwel said that IL he had been a sworn
agent of the government he would not have
cepted that part OF the work containing dries"
He said that such defects were sometimes sue.
cessfully "doctored." The witness said he had
cut out and set the stone i'm IT. Johns college
building, but did not know whether IL was di-
mension stone or not. lie did not know how
Iii was purchased. as he did not purchase Il.
Counsel for defense having objected To the
lengthy cross-examination, Mr.. jackson said
sseXaminations. IL intend he said. Ito
fight ii out on this line If il takes all summer"
st. Johns college building a first-class job; it
was not contracted for as such. 1t was rough
work.
A TALK WITH A sToNE-CUTTER.
"1 think" said one of the leading stone
cutters to-day, when questioned by STAR re-
porter TO his views concerning the testimony
given yesterday by Mr.. Walter, the architect of
the Capitol extension, "Mr. Walter had a very
good memory whenever his own past good
works were to be remembered or Mr.. Clarks
antecedents, but indifferent whenever his own
shortcomings were in question. His generosity
in shouIdering all Mr. tlark's responsibilities
was a remarkable exhibit, considering that Mr..
Walter Is not now responsible officer.
/ think his good taste and judgment are at fault
when he says the stone work improvements
around the Capitol look well and are dur
able as the Capitol stone work proper. His sight
has either failed or he L. color blind when he
can see nothing but beauty and even color i'm
the terrace wall. am sorry when think how
easily the happy dream of old age docking back
on "A well spent hiel may be broken with
straw. and tnat straw a scientific mistake. L
suppose the counsel for the prosecution had too
much respect for Mr.. Walters age and too much
sympathy for his nerves To call up that ugly
blot on his much yaunted scientific judgment
which led him 10 put asphalt on the back Of
Italian marble 10 prevent stains coming through
TO the face from the cement. How wofully SCI
entific knowledge was at fault may be evil
denced any day by going 10 the rooms of the
President and Vice President in the Capitol and
looking up al the Italian marble panelled roof.
The scientific observer don't always see as far
through the stone as the man that is cutting IL.
IL ought 10 be remembered In this cOnnectlon,"
continued the stonecutter, "that Mr.. Walter
said among other things Alat Mr.. Clark was not
a practical stonecutter or builder, nut was a cars
penter. say this only because an impression
is being sought To he made that our people arc
trying certain contractors. This In not 80. We
have alleged that Mr.. Clark j. incompetent rs
an architect and unreliable public officer"
When asked by THE STAR reporter what the
stone-cutters thought OF the present status OF
the case, the stone-cutter said that he thought
that the state of facts shown hy the testimony
justified the charges. at must be remembered,"
he said, sthat since these charges were made
the work has been improved greatly, and those
now testifying to the appearance and condition
of the work have inspected il since the charges
were made Our testimony relates To the work
made to doctor it up SD ii might pass inspeo-