Evening journal., 1905-06-22
EX-CHIEF HILL
HELD FOR COURT
Sensational Evidence Against
the Deposed Official in
Philadelphia
APPROVED PADDED WORK BILLS

Philadelphia, June 2z.-On charges
Of forgery and Of falsifying statements,
John w. Hill, former chief of the ill
tration bureau, at a salary of $4,000
a year, was held by Magistrate Eisen-
brown in $4,000 bail for trial at court.
Mr.. Hill resigned his Office a week ago
and the resignation was accepted by
Mayor Weaver after the disclosures
made during the hearing of Council
man Frank II. Caven, who is under
bail, charged with violating his coun-
cilmanic oath, by contracting to furnish
sand to the city for the filter beds. The
arrest Of Mr.. Hill was made at the in
stigation of the mayor in his crusade
for good government
Several witnesses we're heard, but the
only sensational testimony presented
was that Of Frederick Schaffhauser, a
discharged employe Of the filtration bu-
reau and at present employed in the
water bureau. All Of the testimony re-
ferred to two contracts awarded to
Daniel j. McNichol. One was for MAX
ink excavations for water pipes and
the other was for laying pipe. The con-
tract. for the excavations amounted to
$3.50. 900 and that for laying the pipe
was for 100000. There was a supple
mental contract to the last named, the
amount being $4,000
Schafhauser testified that after the
work on the excavations had been COM
pleted there still remained nearly $1,000
Of the appropriation. He stated that
during a conversation with Chief Hill
the latter told him he thought the
$1,000 ought to go to the contractor.
He was told by Mr.. Hill, he said, to
"eat up" the surplus, and, acting on
these instructions, he added it to his
report as rock excavation charges. The
contractor. witness said, never ex-
cavated the rock for which that money
was paid. but stated that the trenches
were widened at the top According to
the contract. any widening ae the top
OF trenches was TO be done at the ex-
pense Of the contractor and without
any extra charge to the city. After he
had made the false entry on his esti-
mates, Schaffhauser said, Chief Hill
told him to scratch it out and insert
the original figures, as the then direc-
tor of public works. Mr.. Haddock,
would not stand for It," Later this
record was destroyed by Chief Hill and
new one made out containing the
charge for additional excavations for
which the surplus of $1,000 was paid.
To show how this was brought about
counsel for the prosecution offered IN
evidence three letters. One was from
Contractor McNichOl to Chief Hill.
asking for an additional allowance on
his contract because Of the increased
length OF deep trenches, necessitating
additional expense. The second letter
was from Chief Hill 10 Director Had
dock. recommending the payment as
requested by the contractor and the
third was from Director Haddock to
Chief Hill. authorizing the payment Of
the money.
Concerning the contract for the lay
ing of water pipe, Schaffhauser said
that under the direction of Mr. Hill ne
had added 10 his monthly statement
charges for excavations that had never
been made
After brief argument by counsel the
magistrate fixed bail in the sum OF
$4,000.
Former Judge Gordon. for the prose-
cution, in his argument stated that he
had not attempted to show all OF the
criminal acts of Chief Hill but that he
merely desired to make out a case IN
the present instance. He intimated
that when the case was brought to trial
there would be further disclosures Of n
sensational nature.
Mayor Weaver after the hearing an
nounced that he had engaged three ex-
pert accountants to Investigate the ac-
counts cf the bureau Of filtration. They
will begin work at once.