The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-01-26
SEVERE
cROSS-FIRE
Mr.. Rentz Again on the Stand Under
Severe Cross Examination.
THE QUO WARRANTO PROCEEDINGS
Additional Interesting Information in Ref
erence to the Agreement Between
the Controller and County
Commissioners Brought
Out.

lut OOublull6I anu OOuubJ
Commissioners Brought
Out.
Pottsvile, Jan. 2G--When this report of
the proceedings of the trial of the County
Commissioners closed Frank Rentz, one of
the defendants, was recalled for further
The witness said he
could not fix the date of our interviews with
Judge Pershing.
The first was in our office Myself. Allen.
Martin and Ulrich were present. Can't say
whether Judge Bechtel was consulted or not.
1t was a general conversation. Judge Perish
ing said we could change the heating and
lighting arrangement without the formal
approval of the court. Think this referred
to tho old as well as the new buildings. The
conversation with Judge Pershing was not
confined to the old buildings. 1t covered
both the old and tho new.
Judge Pershing's letter was produced by
Mr.. Schalck, whereupon Mr. Ryou walked
over to Mr. Schalck, took the letter out of
his hands and remarked This letter be-
longs to me, | brought it here"
The court The letter is evidence and
open to examination by both sides"
The court refused to increase the appro-
priation and the original bids were modified
to come within the limit fixed by the court.
The plumbing bid was not returned because
there was no modification in that branch of
the work. The bid was the lowest and we
held it over.
"Yes, sir, do swear that the changes sub
sequenty made in all the plans and specif-
cations we're made for the purpose of reduc-
II II. a Al
plumbing" emphatically declared the wit
ness
The witness was questioned in reference to
the plumbing contracts, and said Bast was
the lowest bidde~ and was awarded the con-
tract. He received some extras. Had no
business relations with Bast. On our trip to
New York Mr.. Hill purchased two mileage
books; don't think they were included in
his bill don't know that he bought one
in Mr.. Aliens name. l never saw the two
mileage books; perhaps they were included
in Hills bill of $4,000.
MONEY SAVED THE COUNTY.
The witness said he read the specifications
for electric light plant in our Office before
advertising Mr.. Rehtz then explained how
the county was saved the difference between
81, 179 and $s,400. The fixtures as l told
you. were not inclndsd in this because it was
impossible to do so at the time we advertised
for wiring because we wanted to give all a
chance. People called upon us and made
this request. We would have done SC
whether this request was made or not.
The Buchanan contract was shown wit
ness. 1t looks like Mr.. Payne's writing,
am not an expert on penmanship.
Mr.. Geary was employed in May 1895.
never saw any plants or maps Of the old
buildings and made no personal search for
the plans and drawings. l thought there
should be- but they could not be found Mr.
Connell searched for them and reported they
were not in the building. If Mr.. Connell
who had been in the Commissioners office
about six years. could not locate them,
certainly could not.
THE GEARY CONTRACT.
The Geary contract was then taken up
Witness said we agreed to pay Geary $40 pei
day. Judged his work by the presentation
of the drawings made by him. He wa
hired by the day. There was more wOrh
than we anticipated. The SIS paid Mr.
Geary was for his assistants, and l know
they were with him. l have plans in ny
office showing drains, &c, at the almshouse
unless they wero stolen within the last 10 o
IL hours. | scrutenized the bills as pre-
sented but never compared one with thu
other. l don't know that he charged us fo
work on April 5, 1896, which was Sunday
That evidently escaped our memory or notice
but it is likely the date is wrong, and should
be week day.
We took Mr.. Geary's report. Whether i
was honest or dishonest, l cannot III. w
regarded the report as correct and acted aC
cordinEly. Mr.. Geary employed the men
| did not swear in the equity case las
summer that the Commissioners emplOye,
them. We instructed Mr.. Geary to engag
them. l was too busy with my official dutle
to act as time keeper for Mr., Geary / be
lieve, however that the number of mel
mentioned on the list were actually emplOye,
under him. Mr.. Rentz testified that the SUI
vey for the division of North Mannheim
school district was made prior to April 1896
We were governed by tho certificate of tn
clerk of quarter sessions and | was no
aware that Geary was employed at the aims
house at this time. 1t is almost impOssbl
to watch everything that was done daily
This bill slipped my memory.
To-DAY's TESTIMONY.
This morning the sixteenth day of tn
| commissioners trial on lno CnafBo OF mlsut
meanor in office opened with Frank Rent
one Of the defendants on the stand, to III
dergo a severe crOss-eXaminatiOn, the pros,
cution's lawyers having has the benefit of
nights rest, and time to ferret out the wea
points of the witness direct testimony.
He said his interview with Judge Persl
ing was held in November 1895, instead
1896. which he previously fixed for the tim
O. Had you previously to July been
New York or any other place to look u
= electrical machinery?
, A. l cannot now say.
: O. Then you didn't go to Philadelphia an
New York until after you awarded the biz
, of July 2Srd, 1862
7, A. | don't recolleCt
O. Is there anything on your minutes
show why you did not readvertise for plum
ing and electric lighting?
: A. can't find any reference to the subjec
/ Q. Where is the written opinion of JUDI
+ Pershiug stating that the Commissioners hS
p tho right to put in an electric light plal
without advertising for bids2
4 A. We had such paper but cannot no
y find it; we made a search for it.
Q. Have you any writing about the a
4 bestos
e A. We have none; there was some corr,
!, pondeuce with IL. w. Johns, who furnisht
it, but we have not the letters here.
Q. Why did you advertise for steam he's
l. ing bids and not for electric lighting bids