New-York tribune., 1905-06-21
WEAVER ENDS CONTRACT.
ARRESTS EX-OFFICIAL.
Philadelphia Filtration Chief Under
CHARGE of Forgery and Fraud.

Philadelphia June 2O-The arrest of John w
Hill. who resigned last week as chief of the Bu-
reau Of Filtration, the charge OF forgery
and falsifying certain books and papers belong
ing to the city, and the annulment Of Sioo.ooo
contract held by D. J. McN1chol S Co. were
The dramatic developments to-day in Philadel-
phia's political upheaval. Hill entered Sio.ooo
bail for hearing tomorrow morning
An interesting feature of the case is that
Stuart Wood, who, a member OF k D. WOOD
g. Co.. which has furnished iron piping for the
filtration system, and who is a member OF the
Committee of Seventy, which is fighting the
Republican organization. became Hills bonds
man The arrest of Hill is the third that mas
occurred in connection with city contracts since
the Mayor began his fight for municipal re-
form.
The arrest of Hill was not a surprise, as 1t
had been rumored for several days that ne
would be arrested charges to be preferred py
the Mayor. The warrant was issued late IN the
day. and Hill appeared at magistrates once
this evening and entered bail. The warrant
charges him with having committed forgery IN
that he made or caused to be made. state
rnent giving a false estimate of the work done
bv tbe firm of D. ]. McNichol & Co, on the nj
tra+ion nlants and also with falsfying certain
hooks and papers of the city for the purpose OF
defrauding the city.
HILL when chief, received salary OF Sl''VVo'
the highest compensation received by any city
employe Up to few weeks ago Mayor
Weaver had the highest regard for the aohlty
of Chief Hill as an engineer So well did ne
think of him that last April he urged the CITY
Council to raise his salary from S12.Ooo to ST.
coo With he political upheaval Mayor
Weaver began investigation Of all bureaus
with the result that Chief Hill resigned last
week
The resembling of the $EOU,VUJ contract held
bv n 7 NIcNichol g. Co. caused CONSERVATION
in noliticai circles In revoking the contract the
ua,yor directed the Director of Public works TO
Immediately take steps to advertise for bids
fo. the work remaining to Oe doEe aud nater-al
20 be supplied. The contract heid py McINieno'
& Co was for furnishing filter sanc ana grdVei
and terra-cotta lateral connections for the
TorresdaIe filters The original value or the
contract was 100000, but on March Ii TINS
was Increased 10 100000 by supplementary
contrac: Up to date. $213417 has been paid
for work done under the contract. The. McNichol
firm sublet all OF the work 10 James Caven &
Son Last week Councilman Frank H Caven,
of the latter firm was arrested for violating his
councfmanic oath in being interested in city
contracts He vas held in bail for trial after
a sensational hearing.
The McNichol firm has had contracts for about
two-tEirds of the work in constructing the hltra-
ton system So far. the system has cost the
c,tv inward Of $50. 100000 and 1t is estimated
that it VIII cost about $5,000,000 more to com
plete the work Mayor Weaver said tonight
that he issued the order ~escinding the contract
hecause he felt that the citys interests would
not be safeguarded unless re dlo IT,
,The Broad-st. boulevard. which IS BENG con-
structed by u firm composed or state senator
Csaorca 4 Ware and Recorder OF DEEDS William
Vare and which will cost about 3o.0O0OOO is
now under investigations
clarence Nfeeser was removed to-day by Fresl-
cent roosevelt as Deputy Collector or inter
nal Revenue at Philadelphia. Meeser formerly
was \ clerk in the copyright department III the
Congressional Library, and was involved In tae
Salter election frauds The investigation was
made nv the Civil Service Commission and MS
removal is The result of that investigation
SaIter with Meeser and several oIhers. were
charged with fragrant ballot box frauds- me
exnos1ire of their methods created 4 sensation,
. and soon after their arrest all fled and remained
il, hiding for over a year subsequently al put
one returned and stood trial, being acquitted
Mavor weaver at the time was District At
torney Meanwhile one OF the alleged consphrd-
tors Iyho did not run away pleaded guilty
The investigators while here investigated the
case of Mrs EIenora Park. who gave testimony
for the defence in the effort OF Salter ana
Meeser to establish alibi, and VINO suose-
ouentIy received a place in the United states
Mint here.