Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-29
Mr.. Taulbee's Committee Continues Its
Examination.
Mr. JOHN +. cox GIVES HIS TESTIMONY AS TO
THOSE WHICH HE SOLD TO THE DISTRICT
SOME INTERESTING FACTS BROUGHT OUT By
MIR. TAULBEE's QUESTIONS.

SOME INTERESTING FACTS BROUGHT OUT By
MIR. TAULBEE's QUESTIONS
All the members of the Taulbee committee,
the District Commissioners and Messrs. Cox
and West were promptly on hand this morning
when the Scholastic investigation was resumed.
The only persons late were the ATTORNEYS. Mr..
Davis was half an hour late and Mr. Payne did
not come at all. Mr.. Webb suggested, as the
counsel were not present, that the committee
proceed as they began Saturday and hear frs,
the objectors to the methods of the Commits
sioners, then the Commissioners could reply.
Mr.. Taulbee thought, however, it might obvi-
| ate the examination of many witnesses by hear
ing the Commissioners explanation first. II
was finally decided that Mr. John +. Cox should
| take the stand.
Mr. cox GIVES HIS TESTIMONY.
Mr.. Cox had packet Of manuscript in his
hand and as he took seat in the witness chair
he said that he had written out as he recol-
lected them the facts relating to these various
transactions. From time to time during his
examination he referred to these memoranda,
| The witness said he was q lawyer.
'Are you dealer in real estate?" asked Mr.
| Tauibee.
II have dealt in real estate" said the wit
ness.
Have You license to deal in real estate9"
"when did you get it?'
II took one out, l think, about two months
ago."
did you have a license prior to that?"
'Yes, sir, said the witness, ''in Mr.. Dodge's
| term Of Office as assessor"
when did that expire?"
"About year ago, in November, think"
After some further testimony respecting his
agency. Mr.. Cox said, Il should state that all
this property came right in my hads. do not
advertise in any way through the city or put
out posters as a real estate agent"
What was the reason of your taking out q
lcense?"
1T was rather demanded of me that should
do it," said the witness.
'Who demanded 2"
''The assessor" said the witness, directed
! me note requesting that should take out q
license"
The witness then went over the list of
twenty-seven sites purchased by the Commits
| sioners that has been laid before the COM
mittee, and picked out nine sites with the pur-
| chase OF which he was connected. He was
walking on the Avenue one day when he met
Commissioner Webb and Col. Totten. Mr..
Webb requested witness to call at his Office
with reference to the purchase of the sites then
appropriated for. That was il. 1885. soon after
| the appropriation was made. Mr.. Wheatley,
the other Commissioner, also spoke to him
| once or twice. Witness went to the Commits
| sioners' office and the Commissioners indicated
to him generally the neighborhoods in which
they wished TO have the sites purchased.
What arrangements did they maker" asked
Mr.. Taulbee.
| "None whatever" said the witness. "The
Commissioners plainly told me that they had
no money from which to pay me. They sug.
gested to me to select property with the view
to getting the sites as cheaply as possible"
| Mr.. Taulbee asked if the Commissioners in
dicated that he was to get any compensation.
Not through them, said the witness.
| Through anybody"
Though the owners, in case contaminated
q sale; yes, sir" answered the witness
| "Did You understand from what the Commits
sioners said that this work was to be q Rratuity
on your part?" asked Mr.. Taulbee.
mo, sir; not gratuity. understood that
II had any compensation it should come from
/ the owners"
| The witness said in this case he paid the
earnest money, $25. The major of police, he
| said bad told him the neighborhood in which
he wanted the site. Witness went to Mr.. Geo
r. Repetti, an old school mate, q member Of
the firm of Weller Repetti, the agents for the
property. Mr.. Repetti offered him the prop
erty for S71< cents. Several sites had beer
offered ranging from 30 cents to IS cents in
price. When this property was offered at S7h
r Gents, Witness .han tim,%Ss me bought
Witness said he bought il IN the name 8
Daniel 8. Pickrell, q friend Of his, fol-
the purpose Of convenience in transfer. 1
was his intention, in case the District did no
accept the property, TO transfer il to an invest
ment company OF which Mr.. Pickrell was presi
dent and the witness q director. This com
pany, the witness said, would be guided by hi
judgment in making such purchase. He had
no arrangement at the moment to make such
sale to the investment company.
What did You give for that property"
Il gave 373{ cents per foot"
s.Did you submit to the Commissioner propo
sitions to sell any other property in that neieh
borhood at that timer"
Il did not"
''what did you receive for it?"
"Forty-two cents, think. I see on this Lis
IL 10 put down ct ~ 2-10 cents."
Mr.. Cox said he thought be told Mr.. Wheatley
that he bought the site before Major Moor,
had approved It
When asked how much he made out Of III
transaction, witness saids II received checl
from Weller b Repett for eS22lz; out Of tha
paid t2b for the abstract"