Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-29
STUTLER GETS A REST
Investigation Searchlight
Turned Upon Side Issue.
MR.. BEYMER'S CONDUCT
INQUIRING INTO HIS TRANsAc-
TONS WITH MR.. ROBINSON.
Traded Hay for Chickens - Suffers
Accuser on the Rack-Many
Witnesses Called.
MR.. BEYMER'S CONDUCT

fnteohent Warner Stutler OF the street
cleaning department, which have been the
subject of investigation by the Commis-
sioners since last Monday. were practically
lost sight of by the investigating triDunai
today and the Commissioners directed
their attention to two side Issues that have
arisen incidental to the StutIer investiga-
ton.
One of these two side issues was the
charge that Warner Stutler had been fix
ed by a hand-sweeping machine company
which was made by "a citizen" in an an
nonymous communication. and the other
was the implica ton that Inspector Webster
Beymer of the street cleaning department.
one of Robinson's witnesses against Stutler
had shown favors to Robinson while the
latter was District contractor. 1t being
alleged that Bcymer received considera-
ton for the reported favors.
The charge against Mr.. Stutler contained
In the anonymous letter was speedily dis
posed of by the examination of George Z.
fischer, whom. it WAS alleged in the letter.
had knowledge of the matters charged. Mr..
Fischer emphatically denied that Mr.. Slut
Ter had any interest in the hand-sweeping
machine company, or that the superintend-
ent of street cleaning had been fixed" by
that company.
The examination of witnesses relative to
the charge of improper relations between
Inspector Beymer and Royal Robinson con-
sumed nearly the entire morning session,
and had not been finished late this after
noon. Another attorney, Mr.. j. Holdsworth
Gordon, appeared in the board room this
morning. representing Mr.. K. V. Rusk. and
his manager. Mr.. II. p. Bayly. Mr.. Gordon
participated in the examination of wit
neSScs called in the Beymer case.
The Commissioners took recess at
! % until 80 o'clock this Afternoon, when
the inquiry into the Beymer case was
continued. Mr.. Robinson was on the
stand when The Stars report closed this
afternoon.
The Anonymous Charge.
Immediately upon the opening of this
mornings session Mr.. George c. Fischer, a
contractor. called 70 the stand to tes-
tify with regard to the implication contain
ed in the anonymous communication and
read by Commissioner mcfarland yester-
day morning to the effect that Superinten-
dent Stutler had been fixed" with stock in
a hand sweeping machine company. The
writer of the anonymous communication in
timated that the District purchased ma
chimes of the company and that Mr.. Stutier
benefited thereby.
Mr.. Fischer said that he has for several
years been agent for the Sanitary Street
Sweeping Company. a concern MANUFACTURE
ing hand-sweeping machines. These ma
chimes. he said. are used in the District
service.
Did you ever say to anyone that Mr..
Stutler had been fixed with stock in
hand-sweeping machine company asked
MIR. mcfarland.
Il never did," answered the witness.
MIR. fischer said he did not know whether
Stutler owned any stock in the company or
not, but he was of the opinion that he did
not.
Mr.. fischer emphatically declared that
he had never given or offered to give MIR.
f Step anS mSney in the the Dis
said that no District official ever re-
ceived any money or other consideration
from the machine company because of the
purchase of machines from the company
I'D like to know" said Mr.. Fischer upon
finishing his testimony. why l was called
here-who got me into this?'
MIR. Escher's manner in asking the ques-
tlon caused "a general laugh in the board
room. Commissioner Macfarland ex-
pIained the incident of the anonymous
letter and the witness was excused
Mr. Stutler denied specifically the i'm
plicatlon and explained the matter of
purchasing the machines all of which he
SAID. Is matter of record which the
commissioners may examine.
Beymer-Robinson Incident.
The Commissioners then proceeded TO in
VeStigate the allegation brought to their
attention during the Stutler inquiry the
other day that Inspector Webster Beymer
one OF Mr.. Robinson's witnesses, had
shown RobinsoI favors. 1t was alleged
that Inspector Beymer had shown unusual
favors to the contractor for a consideration
This was matter in which Mr. H. p
Bayly manager for Mr.. Rusk. was inter-
ested since II stated the other day
that MIR. Bayly and Inspector Beginner had
some trouble last July. growing out of The
charge that Beymer had been bribed by
Robinson
Attorney J. HCldsworth Gordon partic-
fpated in the examination Of witnesses in
this matter
Lark Brown. colored was called and
said he was in the employ of Mr.. Robinson
when the latter was contractor for ma
chine street sweeping
In reply to questions from Commissioner
Macfarland Brown said while he was work.
ing for Mr.. Robinson he freQuently-about
once week-hauled hay and straw from
Mr.. Robinsons stable to Inspector Bey-
mers stable. He said he also washed Mr.
Beymer's buggy for him. Mr.. Beymer, he
said. paid him no salary but tipped him
~ or II cents occasionally.
Replying to questions of Attorney Cor
don. Brown said that he hauled hay and
straw from Mr.. Robinson's barn to Mr.
Beymcrs at the direction of either Mr.
Robinson or his superintendent
On one occasion. witness said Mr. Bey-
mer used one of Mr.. Robinson's horses in
his buggy. Witness said Mr.. Beymer had
never given him any money In payment for
hay or straw delivered at his barn
In answer to question OF Mr. Robinson
Brown said that the work he did for Mr.
Beymer at the latters barn was at the re-
quest Of Mr. Beymer. He said Mr.. Beymer
also paid him for hauling an occasional load
of sawdust to his barn.