Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-28
FIGHT OVER OLD IRON.
Il. B. Smithson Is Charged With
Standing in With a Purchaser.
SALEOF THE GOVERNMENT SCRAP.
A Claim That It Was Not Knocked Down to
the Highest Bidder.
COL. MERRILL ASKED TO INTERFERE

Colonel Merrill has been asked to nullify
a sale of scrap of various kinds at Davis
Island dam on Wednesday last, and the alle-
cations made by complainants, whose names
seem to be legion, are quite serious, and
whether any of them are caused by disap-
pointment must be left to future develop
ment. In Hudibras there is some mention
of the perils that environ those who NEEDLE
with cold iron, referring to the awkward
ness of the Parliamentary soldiers who got
away with Charles l., but the perils IN the
present instance are, or may be, of legal
kind. The scrap belonged to the Govern
ment.
The charge is that there was collusion be-
tween the auctioneer, H. B. Smithson, and
the buyer, William Bostwick, by which
the stuff was knocked down to the latter on
lump bid of S11 per ton, though his bid had
been but $40 IS, while John McDermott
had bid S11 and City Weighmaster E. M.
Sims S12 Sims and McDermott say that
Smithson, when they protested, said he
knew his business, and refused to heed their
protests. They also allege that Smithson
went to Huling Bros Office yesterday
morning to learn the cost of bringing some
scrap from Davis Island, which he said his
partner had purchased.
Bostwick Could Not Be Found.
An attempt was made to see Mr.. Bost-
wick yesterday afternoon, but without
avail. 1t was said that he and Smithson
occupied the same room in the Eisner &
Phillips building, but there it was learned
that Bostwick was no longer tenant and
the informant stated that he would be found
at 1923 Liberty avenue, the Pittsburg Brass
and Copper Company, Limited. The doors
of the building were closed and no answer
was returned to knock. On the main
door was posted a constables sale notice by
Constable Groetzinger, the plaintiff named
being G.. W. Tindle. No one in the vicinity
appeared able to cast any light on the sub
ject.
Last night smooth-faced man called at
this Office and said he desired to add some
thing to what is given above. He refused
to give his name but was recognized as
young iron dealer of this city. He added
as buttress to the charges made against
Messrs. Bostwick and Smithson the name of
William Carlin, Of I: Carlin & Sons, of
Allegheny City, who, he said, would sub
stantiate the claim as to the value ofthe scrap.
Expect Word From Merrill To-Day.
The visitor also stated that they expected
to hear from Colonel Merrill this morning.
Colonel Merrill ordered the sale, and the
Government, as we'll as the disappointed
bidders, is given as an interested party.
The visitor stated that the stuff sold was
composed of 80 tons Of wrought iron scrap,
worth at least s44 80 a ton Cong as sold);
81 tons of MANILA rope, S44 80 per ton, and
over 231S tons cast scrap, worth at least S14
a ton. in all worth 81. .143 40, whereas all
was sold for about s7O4, less than one-third
of its value. A large amount of the wrought
scrap, he said, was iron chain, worth at least
2 cents pound, or $44 80 per ton.