The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-06-27
J. ". HILL REARRESTED
Former Philadelphia Official Held
in $4,000 Bail For Court.
ANOTHER CHARGE OF FORGERY

Accused Of Signing Fraudulent EstI'
mates and Making False Entries In
Filtration Work Of the McNchoI
Firm.
Philadelphia, June 24.-John w. Hill,
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 IL. WSrman, an auditor In
the city controllers Office, to the wit
ness stand.
Major Woman had In his possession
II warrants that had been paid 10
Contractor McNlchol for work done.
These warrants for the payment OF
money we're issued upon the reports OIL
the assistant engineer In charge or the
work and John w. Hill as consulting
engineer. They covered period dating
from March II, 1892, to February l.
1903, inclusive.
1T is in these payments" almost
shouted the prosecuting attorney, that
will show frauds amounting to the
sum OF $4,000. charged for excavation
over Is feet But | will state now that
I'm the first two estimates Of work done
there was no charge for excayating
over that limit In all the others we
will prove padding"
Henry S. Garrett, a 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. he said he had found a dis
crepancy in item No. II. While the
operatlon called for 10 cubic yards CT
dirt excavated over is feet deep, the
field report presented by Schaffhauser
showed 1855 cubic yards. He said
he called attention to II and was first
threatened and then told to call up ..
]. McNichol. He then told Chief Hill
what he had discovered.
What else did you tell Mr.. Hill p
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?"
ut was"
when did you next see the esti-
mate?"
About 10 days later I had left 1t
with Mr.. Hill. / had up to that time
entire confidence in Mr. Hill. When
the estimate came back to me item No.
II read 1855 cubic yards"
Garrett also testified that he noticed
excuses in other estimates OF more
than $4,000
In cross-examinatlon. 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-
jected. and bids were again asked for
and three were received. Although D..
J. McNichol's first bid was 1918 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 2S6O.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, a manufactures, became his
bondsman. Moth cases against Mr..
Hill will be returned to court at once.