The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-21
Assistant Engineer Coop
er TeStifeS Against
Carter.
HOW MATTRESSES WERE BUILT

Pointed Out to Him-Obeyed orders
He Thought Wrong Rather Than
Lose His PositiOn-His Reports In
trOduced to Contradict Some of
His tements-Considered the
Rock Below the Specifications.
Thought the Work an Unduestion-
able success-Put $4,000 in an Es-
Innate for Lobbying.
There was considerable interest yester-
day in The testimony of a. S. Cooper be
fore the court-martial, which resumed its
session at Il o'clock.
The witness has been an assistant engt-
neer under Capt. Carter for thirteen years
off and on. He was brought here from
the West by Capt. Carter, having served
with him out there, and was placed in
position of trust and responsibility even
though lacking at that time in any prac-
teal knowledge of the construction of
mattresses, or of jetty work.
Mr.. Cooper has been looked upon all
along as one of the star witnesses for the
government, he having given testimony
al length before the board of inquiry. 1t
Is said 10 have been principally on his
testimony, together with that of another
employe in the office. that the charges
against Capt Carter were based. Mr..
Cooper's testimony was not concluded
when the court adjourned yesterday after
noon, and the cross-examination will be
resumed when court meets this morning
at 1880 o'clock.
Mr.. Blair said, before the court proceed
ed further, the accused would like to know
whether he would be allowed to examine
a certain chart which he had been trying
for some time to see, but had been refused
access 10 it, Capt. Carter, he said wanted
TO know whether he would be allowed to
see that chart, and if not, he would. like
TO make a motion in the premises.
81 had already anticipated the desire of
the accused" Col. Barr said, land that
chart which has just been completed will
be open to his inspection to-day"
That was satisfactory to the accused,
and Col. Barr then introduced some reports
made by Marion Twiggs, and referred to
in his evidence taken in Augusta. These
reports were relative to measurements of
mattresses and stone used in the work at
Cumberland sound by the Atlantic Con-
tracing Company, and one of them called
attention to the stone as not being up to
Specifications.
Col. Barr then swore Mr.. A S. Cooper.
one of the supposed star witnesses for the
government, who gave lengthy testimony
before the board of Inquiry He said he
had been employed as assistant engineer
in the Savannah district off and on for
thirteen years. Since returning the last
time he had been here, he said, four and a
half years. His duties. he said, had been
in surveying and inspecting the river and
harbor works
PLEASE describe the mattresses put into
the jetties under the contract with the
Atlantic Contracting Company" Col Barr
said.
There was a bottom grlllage of poles
above which was placed some bundles of
brush, and above these there was another
grillage of poles"
Were those the mattresses that went
into the work." was asked.
Yes, sir" ives the reply.
Were they in accordance with the spec-
ifieations for the third type mentioned in
the contractg" was asked.
They were not. The specifications called
for fascines. These mattresses were built
of bundles of brush. and not Of fascines. as
called for. This was done under the con-
tract of 1896"
Was the brush trimmed at am" was
asked
1T was not" he said.
Did you see any mattresses built in ac-
vrrTfA
third design go into the work." was ask
ed.
NO, sir. saw none built i'm accord
ance with The specifications for that de-
sign" was the reply
Mr.. Cooper stated that he had a COPY
OF the specifications, but when he return
ed TO the service here in 1898 he was told
10 follow the style of mattresses he found
being used on the work. These mattresses
We're not built of fascines, as required
he said, but they We're satisfactory to the
offcer in charge. and thai was what he
wanted ! saw about all of the mattresses
that went into the work"
The witness gave some testimony with
regard 10 instructions received about the
nights of the different courses in mats
given him. They were of varying nights
he said.
'can you estimate the cost per square
YARD OF these mattresses, as put into the
work. Col. Barr asked
Il have made an estimate" was the
reply. THE cost of these mattresses
when sunk, find to be about 9 cents pei
square yard. 1 based this estimate on q
2,000-yard mattress. The charge is made
per square yard of each course"
Mr.. Cooper then gave a detailed state
ment of his estimate, showing the amoun
estimated for each expense, such as la
borers, foremen, privileges, material. etc
His estimate footed up was $lS3 rs for Tn,
construction and sinking 2O00-yard mat
He then gave an estimate of the cost O
the plant In use by the Atlantic Contract
tng Company, putting 1t at $32, $50. Tn,
plant, he said, would be worth about $1,000
when the company got through with 1t. in
volving q loss of So $50. He also CAV,
computations for interest, and figured IN,
total loss at$3O "A day on that account. II,
gave then cost of the expense Of runnins
the tugboats used, the best tugs costint
about SIS to $50 day. and the others abou
SIS a day.
Have you seen any mattresses built il
accordance with the third design" wa.
asked.
II saw some built in accordance with
that design placed in the breakwater a
Tybec in 1897. They were built under IN,
orders Of Capt Gillette, Mr. Cooper said