Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-01
of the facts as to the manner In which Mr.. Cox

OF the facts as to the manner In which Mr.. Co,
| was compensated.
Mr.. Webb said he was not: that he had never
TAXED with Mr. Cox about his compensation
he said he did not remember the words used
| IN conversation with Mr.. Cox when he asked
| the latter to assist him. He did not consider
| MI. Cox as his agent. He had merely asked
Mr.. Cox to assist him.
| When asked what Mr.. Cox's custom was wher
ne went TO negotiate for property, he said ht
could not tell whom Mr.. Cox went to see. Tn,
trustees of the schools would first designate the
location where they wanted a site.
SETTLED BEFORE THE OFFER WAS MADE.
Mr.. Taulbee asked Mr.. Webb il hesat any
time declined to accept any property thai
Mr.. Cox submitted to you?'
Mr.. Webb thought that in one or two in.
stances he had He could not state any case
however. "As general thing" he said, the
lot was settled upon before an offer was made. '
Witness did not go and find out at what prices
the owners held the property. THAT" he said
!. was what employed Mr. Cox to door asked
Mr.. Cox.<e do"
WAS it your understanding" asked Mr.
Taulbee, that Mr.. Cox should turn the prop
erty over to you at the same price at which he
purchased it?''
mo, SIR" said Mr.. Webb. "Mr Cox never
purchased any property. We purchased prop
erty."
Mr.. Cox. he said, helped witness by exam
an offer. 1t was not the custom of the Com.
mlssioners to go behind the price that Mr.. Cox
submitted il it a fair one and was so re-
garded by the building inspector and others
consulted in the matter.
EXAMINING THE TITLES.
The seller, he said, furnished an abstract OF
title that was then sent to the attorney for the
District for report.
MIR. Webb did not remember any case in
which Mr.. Cox submitted the property to him
concerning which the attorneys Office failed to
report upon the title. Mr.. Taulbee then called
for the papers in the case of the sale of the 9th
street police station site. Mr.. Webb examined
the abstract and attorneys report at Mr.. Taul-
bees request. Mr.. Taulbee called attention to
the fact that the abstract furnished by a title
company did not cover the title further down
than the trustees of the real estate
association who conveyed the lots to
Mr.. Pickrell, whose name was used by Mr. Cox
IN making the purchase. 1t did not affect Mr..
Pickrells title. There was an order on the
papers by Mr.. Wheatley directing audit in the
case. Mr.. Webb explained that the validity
and suffciency of Mr.. Pickrell's title was certi-
fed to by the attorney for the District, Mr..
Davis, In letter to the auditor attached to the
papers. MIR. Taulbee read from the papers.
to show that the audit was dated
August g. whereas Mr.. Davis letter was
dated December 6. Mr.. Webb said that
the deeds referred to were inclosed in the
papers. Mr.. Webb was questioned about other
transfers and the reports and abstracts. In
the case of the Weightman school site, 23d and
NJ streets, the abstract was not included among
the papers brought to the committee room by
the Commissioners. In the case of the Phelps
school site, Mr.. Webb said it was purchased on
an offer brought to the committee from Mr.
Huyck by Mr.. Cox. Mr.. Taulbee submitted
the Congressional Record, containing the letter
OF MIR. Webb, respecting the purchase of school
sites. read by Gen. Henderson on the floor of
the House. Mr.. Webb identified the letter as
having been written by him. The committee
then adjourned till to-day
In Mr.. Stellwagen's testimony yesterday he
referred to MIR. b. Crane as a member of the
hrm OF Crane, Paris Il Co.. of this city. Mr..
Early informed STAR reporter to-day that Mr.
Stellwasen was in error about this. Mr. b.
Crane Is not member of that firm.