Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-27

Repjying to questions of Capt Harding
Mr. Stutler said the wage clause was pu.
in contracts because 1t was required Oy act
of Congress in. 1900. He said he never IN
srructed the inspectors to inquire into the
N after to determine whether the contractor
was paying such wages. Witness saia iur-
ither that he doesn't regard drivers as
laborers entitled under the provisions OF
the act to receive wages at the rate OF
81 % a day
In response to questions of Judge Cole
Mr. Stutler said that the inspectors have
orders to send home unfit horses and IN
efficient employees without first getting au-
thority from the superintendent
Pertinent Questions.
Prior to the conclusion Of Mr. Suffers
examination Judge Cole stated that he de-
sired to ask him a few pertinent questions
relative to the general charge Of maladmin-
istration in office.
Judge CoIe-"Have you ever had any
business relations with r. V. Rusk other
than in that broom company in 1888 and
1897
Mr. Stutler-"None whatever"
Judge Cole-.Have you ever received any
gift from Mr.. Kusk?''
Mr.. Stutler-"I have not"
Judge COle-"Have you ever at any time
received any money. either directly or In
directly. from Mr.. Rusk?''
Mr.. Stutler-"I have never received one
cent from Mr.. Rusk. either directly or IN
directly"
Judge Cole-"Have you ever shown Mr..
Rusk any favors?"
Mr.. Stutler@'Never.
Judge Cole-"Ever favored Mr.. Rusk to
the detriment Of the District?
Mr.. Stutler-"I never have.
Witness testified that he had treated
Mr. Rusk the same as other contractors
Mr.. Robinson asked Mr.. Stutler II he
had any authority to clean paved streets
and charge the expense to the approprfa-
ton for cleaning unimproved streets
Mr. Stutler said that he has authority
under the contracts to have done work or
any class that Is ordered by the Commits
sioners. He mentioned that the contractor
is not required to clean Off snow and ice
from the streets under his regular con-
tract. This is charge on the District
Drivers Not Laborers.
In reply to a question of Mr. Robinson.
Mr.. StutIer said he made a distinction be-
tween laborers and drivers OF carts. because
laborers ard drivers were specifically ana
separately mentioned in the law and the
specifica tons
MIR. stutler stated that always at the be-
ginning of each year he makes an lnspec-
ton of the contractors horses. harness
carts. etc.
There was some argument between Mr..
Robinson and Mr.. Stutler relative 10 the
number of DAYS RuSk's force worked last
February us compared to the work done by
Lilly & Robinson the preceding winter. MI:
Rol.inSOn's r"mar i.s seemed to Imply thdI
Rnsk was allowed to work greater nam
Der of days. although the wea Their last rep
ruary was more Gifavorable than in feD-
ruary of the previous year.
Mr. Doyle then testified that the work or
Mr.. Rusk on unimproved streets is FetS
good Around the market. he says. Inc
conditions are unusual and it is necessary
to keep the contractor at work in that
section.
Mr.. DOYLE said that before last Novembe
l,N-M
secuent to that time Mr.. Stutler issued an
order that only men. over twenty-one years
of age, should be employed. He said that
since that order was issued he had seen no
boys. on the work.
Witness stated that while he was an in
spector on the outside work he made but
few complaints to the superintendent
Office. He said he usually corrected faults
himself.
Mr. Doyle recited an instance occurring
since he has been chief inspector wherein
lie was Obliged to give Inspector Boock
Instructions as to the work to which in
structions BCock raised objections. From
Doyle's testimony it seemed that Inspector
Boock objected to the chief inspectors ex-
ercsing authority over him. and the matter
had to be reported to the office where
the superintendent sustained Chief 1nspec-
tor Doyle.
AS general rule, Mr.. Doyle said. the
horses furnished by the contractor were
suitable for the work on which they were
used He sid the inspectors had explicit
orders to send to the barn any unfit animal.
MIR. Doyle knew nothing about wages paid
the laborers drivers He testified that
it has not been found necessary to employ
extra carts or men to clean streets because
of poor work by the contractor.
Mr.. Robinson proceeded to question MIR.
Doyle. In reply to questions. Mr.. Doyle
said the gang under supervision of 1nspec-
tor Rockwell is one of the best gangs In
the street cleaning service.
The court took a recess at 1:15 until 2:3U
O'Clock.
Yesterday Afternoon.
After The Stars report of the investiga-
ton closed yesterday afternoon the Com
missioners proceeded with the inquiry
into the charges contained in the
second count in the allegations against
Mr.. Stutler wherein it is charged that Mr..
Stutler permitted r. " Rusk. contractor
for cleaning unimproved streets during the
fiscal years 1901 1902 and 1903. to employ
inefficient boys and old men and broken
down horses and mules. at lower wages
than the contract specified should be paid.
Mr.. Robinson. in his charges alleged that
the inspectors complained of poor service.
but that no improvement was required of
the contractor.
Five inspectors in the street cleaning
service were examined relative to the
charge contained in the second count.
These were Inspectors Ebert Claggett. ].
l. Barrick, Gustav Book and G. o. Rock
shot. All the witnesses, with the excep-
| ton of Boock testified that their COM
| plants about boys and poor horses and
mules had been attended to promptly by the
| superintendent. They stated that they had
| occasion to complain to Mr. Stutler about
! the service only a few times. All the In
| spectors admitted that they had never re-
| ported to Mr.. Stutler the amount OF wages
! the drivers of carts claimed they were get
| ting.
| Inspector Book Is foreigner and had
| considerable difficulty in understanding The
) questions and also in formulating his re-
| plies On several occasions he became con
| fused and frequently said IN reply to
| question: I'm have to think it over.
Ineficiency Charged.
| Royal Robinson, the first witness yester
day afternoon, said Mr.. Stutler told him
early in 1903 that Rusk was the man tt
be beaten In the coming bids for cleaning
streets. Stutler, he said. accused Rusk Of
not paying 81 % per day. and declared II he
| did get the contract again he would have u
| change his tactics Mr.. Robinson said M
| could prove the inefficiency Of the laborers
| but not the wages.
| At this point Mr. Robinson asked 10 make
| a brief statement about his witnesses. Al
| excepting one witness. he said. are en-
| nloyed in the STRENGTHENING departing Mt
| .They are old men," said Mr.. Robinson
! land ever since these charges were pre-
ferred Mr. Stutler has been busy brow