The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1905-06-29
HILL REARRESTED
FOR FORGERY
Former Philadelphia Official Held in
$4,000 Bail For Court
SIGNED FRAUDULENT ESTIMATE

Philadelphia, June 24.-John w. Hhl,
former chief Of the bureau OF filtration,
was rearrested and hailed before Magis-
trate Eisenbrown on charges OF forgery
and fraudulently making false records
in McNichol contracts. He was held in
$1,000 bail for trial
Judge Gordon, after reading por-
ton of the contract, called Major
Charles H. Norman, an auditor in
the city controllers office, to the wit
ness stand
Major Woman had in his possession
Il warrants that had been paid ID
Contractor McNichOl for work done.
These warrants for the payment OF
money were issued upon the reports OF
the assistant engineer in charge OF the
work and John w. Hill as consulting
engineer They covered period dating
from March II, 1892, to February Z,
1903, inclusive
1T Is In these payments almost
shouted the prosecuting attorney, that
| will show frauds amounting to the
sum of SAC, 900, charged for excavation
over IS feet But | will state now that
in the first two estimates of work done
there was no charge for excavatins
over that limit. In all the others we
will prove padding"
Henry S. Garrett, former filtration
employe was the next witness. His
testimony proved the most sensational
Of the hearing. When shown estimate
No. 5, which had been offered in evi-
dence, ne said he had found q dis
crepancy in item No. II. While the
operation called for 10 cubic yards CT
dirt excavated over Is feet deep, the
field report presented by Schaffhauser
showed 67566 cubic yards. He said
he called attention to it and was first
threatened and then told to call up D.
j. McNichol. He then told Chief Hill
what he had discovered.
What else did you tell Mr.. Hill ,"
Garrett was asked.
81 told him | did not want to be
implicated in the matter and get into
trouble with politicians. He appeared
surprised. and said something was
wrong and ought to be corrected.
suggested that it be arranged that the
discovery Oh the discrepancy should Je
made again in the office on the follow
ing day when Field Engineer Ash
bridge was present
WAS that plan carried Out?"
1T was
when did you rext see the esti-
mate?"
About 10 days later / had left it
with Mr.. Hill. | had up to that time
entire confidence in Mr.. Hill When
the estimate came back to me item No.
II read 675G6 cubic yards
Garrett also testified that he noticed
excesses in other estimates of more
than $40, 900
In crOSs-eXaminatiOn the defendants
attorney charged the witness with con-
tradicting what he had said in direct
examination.
In summing up. the prosecution
called attention to five bids in July,
1901. at which time Mr.. Wallace was
the lowest bidder These bids were re-
jected, ana bids were again asked for
and three were received. Although d.
J. McNichol's first bid was $31S cubic
yard. his second was $3.50. said Mr..
Gordon. and notwithstanding he was
the highest bidder. he received the con-
tract for 10 cubic yards at $3.50 per
cubic yard. And this estimate Mr.
Gordon said Hill raised to 2360.4 cubic
yards without any authorization.
This" he declared. shows the length.
breadth and depth of this conspiracy.
AT the conclusion of the hearing
former Chief Hill was held in $4,000
bail for trial, making his total bail
$4,000 for the charges preferred
against him this week. William Wa
terall. manufacturer. became his
bondSman. Moth cases against Mr..
Hill will be returned to court at once.
Higher Pay For Expert Riflemen.
washington, June % Additional
pay of 81 month to enlisted men in
the army who qualify as expert rifle
men. is offered in general orders 10.
sued by General Chaffee, chief of stan
and is calculated to stimulate rifle
practice IN the army Qualification
Tor the additional pay cannot be made
by men IN the Artillery Corps.