Evening journal., 1905-06-24
ANOTHER CHARGE
AGAINST HILL
Former Philadelphia Official
Held in So, 900 Additional
Bail
FORGERY Is AGAIN ALLEGED

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
$4,000 bail for trial.
Judge Gordon, after reading a por-
ton Of the contract, called Major
Charles II. Worman, an auditor in
the city controllers ofice, to the wit
ness stand.
Major Worman had in his possession
IL warrants that had been paid TO
Contractor McNichol for work done.
These warrants for the payment OF
money we're issued upon the reports OF
the assistant engineer in charge OF the
work and John w Hill as consulting
engineer. They covered a period dating
from March II, 1892, to February z
1908. inclusive.
at is in these payments" almost
shouted the prosecuting attorney, that
I will show frauds amounting 10 the
sum OF 100000 charged for excavation
over IS feet. But ! will state now that
in the hgst two estimates of work done
there was no charge for excavating
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 8, which had been offered in evil
dence, he said he had found a dis
crepancy in item No IT, While the
operation called for 10 cubic yards CT
dirt excavated over IS feet deep. the
field report presented by Schaffhauser
showed 6756.6 cubic yards. He said
he called attention to It and was first
threatened and then told to call up y.
j. McNichol. He then told Chief Hill
what he had discovered.
What else did you tell Mr.. HIP"
Garrett was asked.
Il 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 OF the discrepancy should De
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 next see the esti-
mate?"
About 10 days later. had left It
with Mr.. Hill. I had up 10 that time
entire confidence in Mr.. Hill. When
the estimate came back to me item No.
II read 6756.6 cubic yards"
Garrett also testified that he noticed
excesses in other estimates of more
than 100000
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 a Mr. Wallace was
the lowest bidder. These bids were re-
iected. and bids were again asked for
and three were received. Although d.
J. McNichoi's first bid was S3.1S a 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 236O.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 Hin was held in $1,000
bail for trial. making his total bail
! $4,000 for the charges preferred
against him this week. William Wa
terall. a manufacturer, became his
bondsman. Moth cases against Mr..
Hill will be returned 20 court at once.