The morning times., 1896-03-24

The claims pending before the court of
| claims for work done under contract more
| than twenty years ago, involving an esti-
| mated cost to the District for liquidation
amounting TO half million OF dollars, were
| referred to in The Evening Times OF yes
| terday and the status OF the cases was then
| given.
Further inquiry develops another phase
! OF the subject, however, which, while not
affecting the validity of any just claim, Is
nevertheless indicative OF loose method
| OF disposing of public business in Congress.
The manner in which the bill under whose
provisions those claims are being adiudI-
Gated al this time, was rushed through Con-
gress has been severely criticized in GER
tain quarters, and It is alleged that If the
light once shed upon il had not been ex-
| tinguished, there would have been a de-
mand for an investigation.
AS 1t was there was a haSty conference
| called at the old municipal building on
First street, at which an effort was in
aUgurated 10 prevent final action upon it,.
JUDGE SAVERS OBJECTS.
IT is related that when the bill! was called
up for consideration in the last Congress.
ii was about to pass under a suspension OF
the rules by unanimous consent, when
Judge SayerS Of Texas Immediately OBJ
jected.
His objections were removed, however.
by the assurance from the member of the
District committee wEo had the measure
IN charge that the amount involved was
inconsequential; further, that the claims
had been shown to be just, and that there
could be no good reason for withholding
approval. 1t was also stated that the
number Of claims TO be included would be
quite small.
1t has now been ascertained. 1t is said,
that the possible aggregate Will be sew
eral hundred thousands OF dollars, render
ing necessary an increase OF the District
debt, the issue of 3.65 bonds now being
limited to $4,000, 900, and only about
$40, 600 left on hand, and that the legislH
ton opens the door to the Introduction
of new matters to which, it is said, the
auditor now objects.
These new items. ii is alleged by the
claimants, can be properly introduced uu-
der that legislation, Notwithstanding they
were not included in the original adjudi-
cation.
TRICK OF THE TRADE.
When these facts We're brought TO the
attention OF Judge Savers at the time the
bill was pending, through Auditor Petty's
report, he went at once, as the story goes,
to the member who had allayed his
suspicious OF the bill and threatened TO
move a reconsideration. His next move
was to come to the Commissioners, and
the conference was held as stated.
1t was decided at that conference, 1T is
understood, the Commissioners would APP
prove a modified bill. Judge Savers having
exacted a promise that the original measure
should lie on the speakers table until he
could have time TO investigate.
During the progress OF the debate in the
Commissioners board room-the one re-
ferrcd to-some one telephoned 10 the White
House to ask that the opposition be heard. in
case the bill should by chance have reached
the President. To the great dismay of
Judge Sayers, TO say nothing Of his indig-
nation, word came back that the bill had
been signed two hours previously. tbs
is the story, CLEANED here and there of the
method OF procedure, which antedated the
filing of these claims for re adjudication, and
it is believed to be in the main correct.