The San Francisco call., 1898-03-02
When He Discovered Them Untrue He Gut Bibb's
 Acquaintance.
Other Commissioners Claim That They Only Worked for the
 Public Good.

The statement was made before Judge Belcher yesterday in the suit of the Paraffine Paint Company against the Board of State Harbor Commission CTS, and was intended to offset the tes- timony given by Bibb relative to the alleged peculiar manner in which Com missioner Colnon transacted certain business matters on the water front.
 It is not improbable that the work of taking testimony will be finished to-day, to the great relief of the attor- neys and litigants. The suit has been dragging along heavily during the past few days. and every one is growing weary of the hours spent in the court room.
 When the trial was resumed yester- day morning Attorney Tirey L. Ford asked permission to make an ex parte motion. He said that a report had been received from Chief. Engineer Holmes calling attention to the dan gerous condition of Spear street wharf, and that acting under his advice the Harbor Commissioners had refrained from authorizing the advertising of bids for the materials necessary to put the wharf in proper condition. We have no desire to evade the law said Ford, and we feared that unless we received the permission of the court to go ahead with the work absolutely re- Quired at the foot of Spear street, we might be adjudged to be guilty of con- tempt. While the injunction suit now being heard remains undetermined, the Commissioners will not proceed with any new work unless authorized by or der of court"
 Judge Belcher replied that he did not see where any harm could result from advertising for bids for material re- quired for Spear street wharf, inas- much as the injunction proceedings were directed against the repairs to be made at Green street wharf.
 Then I understand that the com mission may proceed to advertise for the piles and lumber necessary for the work" suggested Ford.
 An order drawn in accordance with the suggestion of the court will be en- tertained," replied the Judge.
 We reserve the right to interpose in the event of the specifications con- taining any objectionable clauses in- terrupted Attorney Cope, who with Matt I. Sullivan represents the Par aff1ne Paint Company.
 Such course is entirely satisfac- tory to the eSnmission,' answered Ford.
 An order authorizing the Harbor Commissioners to advertise for bids for the necessary work at Spear street wharf was drawn up by Attorney Ford and received the approving signature of Judge Belcher.
 Commissioner Harney was then re- called to the witness stand for further cross-examination. He testified that he had paid considerable attention to the matter of creosoting piles and had f,(, 1@,e, ,1x.I,, sion that 1t was the best process to be used for the preservation of timber He. said that he had no knowledge of a letter having been written to the commission by the Paraffine Paint Company guaranteeing that piles pre- pared by it would last for at least five years and be kept in proper condition. The letter had been written prior to his taking office as a Commissioner.
 Commissioner Chadbourne, whose term of office will expire on the 18th inst, was questioned at length concern ing the contracts aworded the $. E. Slade Lumber Company. He said that he voted for the awarding of the con- tract to the company because he thought the offer made was the best received by the commission. He ad- mitted knowing William Inglis. hav- ing been introduced to him by Com missioner COlnon. He also knew D. H. Bfbb, but was not allowed to go into the details of conversations had with either 1nglis or Bibb, on the ground that such matters had no bearing on the case at issue.
 What motives have governed you in all your acts as a Harbor Commission er|' asked Attorney Stratton.
 "The best of motives" replied the witness. T have always exercised the same care in the matter of awarding Of contracts and the employing Of clerks and other help as any careful business man would do in looking after his own business"
 B. l.. Colnon. president of the board, was then recalled to the stand by At | torney Stratton.
 Did you have any conversation with p. II. B1bb after your appointment as Harbor Commissioners" was asked.
 T did, replied the witness. He | came to me and said that he wanted a share of the lumber contracts to be awarded by the board, as he was a good Democrat and had assisted in the elec- ton of Governor Budd. I told him that was minority on the board and that William Inglis, whose father was an old friend of mine, had solicit ed assistance in the same line. l after ward learned that Bibb had been member of the preceding State Repub- mean Convention, and having decelVed me on his political faith I cut his ac- quaintance. I have not spoken to him TOT over two years. I never sent lnglis to him. The records of the commission will show that I have never had control Of the lumber patronage. When Inglis testified that I told him that was so tied up l could not give him part of the lumber patronage he was mistaken, for l never had any conversation of that character with him."
 J. J. Keegan. secretary of the com and Chief Engineer Holmes were recalled to testify that Attorney Stratton had always advised that when bids were not opened on the day named in the proposal for bids there was great danger of legal complications if the was awarded.
 Attorney Stratton then announced that he had several more witnesses to examine to-day, and that he would be able to close the case for the defense unless the cross s-examinationS were too long drawn out.
 Bumped Into Sharkey.
 Joseph Kennedy while training Tom at Haggerty's on Ocean road yes terday received a slight laceration of the eyebrow during a mix-up and was treated