Evening star., 1896-07-18

rlent chose to keep the pump running. OF
course, II any of the water had been car
ried off Up to the fort to be used for drink
Ing or bathing purposes. the supply in the
stream would soon have given out.
a further investigation has since been
made. which shows that the third we'll was
supplied with water from the stream in
practically the same manner The first
pipe line was not sufficient to furnish 50,
600 gallons a day, hut when three-inch
terra Gotta pipe was laid alongside of the
first the volume was readily increased to
10000 gallons.
In point of fact. while the matter has
been kept as quiet as possible. 1t is said
that there was actually nc water in any of
the three wells.
Looking for the Subcontractor.
To say that the War Department officials
are nettled about the affair is TO put 1t mild
ly. Gen. Doe fs said to be out of town. Gen
Batchelder is understood to have a good
deal of the "I-told-you-so" air about him
1t was the very audacity of the scheme tina,
resulted In its success, and up to the pres.
ent time no one has been able even to guess
when the pipes could have been laid with.
out the work being seen by some one. II
was most ingenious method and vet II
depended largely on luck to go through. fol
the moment the water was pumped away
ior actual use the whole thing would have
been discovered
1t is understood that the matter has beer
ia,d before the Department of Justice, and
that enorts Rave been made to locate the
smooth subcontractor. AS soon as he had
received his money he returned to his home
IN Pennsylvania, and letters received from
him by friend in this city stated that he
was preparing to leave for South America
where he had made contracts for dfeainp
other wells. So far as can be learned moi
the slightest blame attaches to Col. Maisf
ana his associates, and 1t is generally ad.
mltted that they have lost more than tn,
government by the fraud.
What Col. Maish Says.
In conversation with Star reporter to-
day Colonel Maish said:
Il am very sorry that the story In to h.
made public just now, for had hoped tha,
1t would rot be generally known about
until the authorities had succeeded in find
ing the man who has done us so nicely
when the time of settlement came W.
gave the subcontractor somewhat more
than the amount agreed upon, for we fell
sorry for him for the delays and draw
backs he had met with, 1t was a most re-
markable game. and / am surprised tina,
any sane man would have the audacity tt
play 1t. knowing that sooner or later Il
would all be found out. The most remark
able feature is that 1t was not found ou
sooner.
We intend to do exactly what is riKh
IN TINS matter. We have! asked for per
AA'AH''oii W SeahS oul tNc original contract
and. although the time has really expired
1t would seem to ne no more than fai,
that we should be given the opportunity
If not, we shall refund every cent that W.
took In for the work, and will be heay,
losers by the whole operation
A humorous side to the affair? Yes.
suppose there is. 1t is funny to think o.
Well running on for ever. like a per
petual motion machine, and yet in realit,
not furnishing a drop of water that Nigh
not have been taken up In a bucket from
the stream near by. Yet, l think you ar,
IN better position than l am to see tn,
humorous side of the situation