The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-07-26
PROBING STREET
CLEANING OFFICE
Commissioners Hear EVl-
dence in Stutler Case.
FIRST COUNT BEFORE THEM
Question of Partially Shown to For
mer Contractor Through Bust
sess Connection.

The second session Of the District
Commissioners investigation into the
charges Of maladministratiOn In office,
preferred by Royal Robinson against
Warner Stutler. superintendent Of Street
Cleaning. is in progress this afternoon,
with the examination Of several inspec-
tors in the Street Cleaning Department,
called as witnesses by Robinson.
The evidence Of these men, Inspec-
tors Barrick, Claggett, Rockwell, and
Book, WILL Robinson declares. substan-
tate the second count Of his charges,
which is TO the effect that the District
has lost money by Stutler having al
in cleaning the streets OF the city, the
incompetence being paid for in extra
men. at the cost Of the District.
May Examine Records.
After the Board Of Commissioners de-
cided yesterday afternoon to allow Rob-
insOn 10 examine whatever official rec
ords that have a bearing on the case.
the first count Of the charges was in
Vestigated. This asserts that Stutler
and Rusk. the present contractor for
cleaning streets by machine sweeping
are in close business relations with each
other. and that, in June OF 1899, Stutler
cleaning contractors, 10 buy their
brOOms from the National Brush and
Broom Company, In which Stutler and
RUsk are alleged TO have been stock
holders.
IN connection with this charge. three
Witnesses, Stutler. Robinson, and
Francis Nye, now of the Board Of As
s!stant Assessors, but private secretary
to Commissioner Ross in 1898, were eX-
amined. They We're all freely ques-
toned by Commissioner West. whose
Cleaning Department Commissioner
Macfarland. the presiding member of
the board; Judge Cole, Suffers attOr-
ney, and Royal Robinson, who is his
own attorney. All three were sworn as
regular witnesses in court Of law.
Stutler Shows Emotion.
During the proceedings Stutler was
pale. and his hand trembled as he held
the Bible while taking the oath. Robin
son seemed more seIf-possessed, al
though his hand was also tremulous
when he held out a paper to read from
it.
In reply to questions from the Com
Inissioners, Robinson, the first witness.
said that soon after he came to Wash
ington TO take the contract for clean
ing the streets, he and Lilly, his part
ner, were requested by Stutler, IN the
latteT's Office TO buy brOOmS OF the Ma
tionai Brush and Broom Company, in
which Stutler said he was a stakeholder
This the contractors did said the wit
ness, although they We're offered cheap
er brooms no less than dozen times
during Us four years they were con-
tractors for the street cleaning He
said they did not change because they
did not Ike TO take the trouble. This
was the only time Stutler asked them
TO buy broOms from his company.
Quality of Brooms.
Upon cross-examination by Judge Cole,
Robinson said he knew the other brooms,
the Baltimore brooms, for instance, were
not so good as those furnished by the
Stutler Company.
Upon examination Of Mr.. Stutler by
Commissioner Macfarland, he said he
had not asked Lilly & Robinson to buy
brOoms Of his company, but the con-
tractors being strangers, he had perhaps
mentioned the name OF the company to
them. Mr.. Stutler asked TO make a
statement. He said he was the inventor
OF q patent clamp for hand reversible
broOms. Commissioner Ross and his
secretary. Francis Nye. had assisted him
in getting his patent Then he found he
could not get II manufactured, and upon
the suggestion of Mr.. Ross he had the
National Brush and Broom Company or
ganized. Mr.. Livingston, Senator FL
kin's private secretary, organized the
company. These clamped brOOms were
bought by the District at s. per dozen, 81
less than they were sold elsewhere. AS
10 the charge of purchase Of brOoms
without competition, Mr.. Stutler said the
property clerk had done the purchasing,
he only making the TequisitiOn.
Did you have an understanding with
the property clerk where the bTOOms
were being bought asked Mr.. West.
mo, sir; only knew where they were
purchased after the bills came to me"
All he put in the company was the
patent The others put IN the money,
Superintendent Stutler said. IN reply to
another question The company quit
business in 1900. He had had connection
with no other company supplying arti-
cles TO the District. He said il was new
er q secret that he held stock in the Ma
tlonal Brush and Broom Company.
Stutier then said ffe had recommend
ed some time ago that the District man
rfacture its own bTOOms. which IS now
done at q cost of q, but they are not
equipped with the clamp which Stutlcr
had patented. Witness also said the
Property Clerk continued for some time
10 bur brooms from the National Brush
and Broom Company, when the StUtIer
clamp was not used. not upon StUtler's
advise, however.
Mr.. Nye on Stand.