New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-06
EVIDENCE AGAINST HILL
Philadelphia Scandal Gro5CS-T'un-
mel Like ,Sieye.

Philadelphia, Jan. 5.-The testimony thus far
taken in the trial Of John W. HILL former chief
Of the Bureau Of Filtration. tends to show that
the contracting firm of D. J. McNichoI & Co.
was paid for work not performed, that the same
firm was permitted to substitute cobbse stones
and gravel for concrete in constructing the
Torresdale filter basin, and that in the pay
ments allowance was made for the con-
tractors plant, for which no provision made
In the specifications
Mr.. Hill, as chief of the bureau, signed the
certificates on which the City Controllers war
rants were issued to the contractors. The Com
rnonwealth charges also that the Torresdale
filter conduit was leaking at the time Chief Hill
certified that the tunnel completed.
The name Of James P. McNichol State Sem
ator, was to-day mentioned for the first time
since the trial began At the preliminary near
ing it was brought out that Senator McNichol
and Israel W. Durham, local Republican organ
ization leaders. were members of the contract
ing firm of D. J. McNichol & Co. but in the
trial these names have not been brought for
ward.
Theodore N Spencer. an assistant engineer
connected with the construction OF the Torres
dale filter conduit, testified that the firm OF
D. J. McNichol & Co. performed only one-fourth
of the work The remainder, he said, was done
by Mason. Hoge & Co, sub-contractors- Early
in February, 1905. Spencer said, James P. Nc
Nichol accompanied by a Mr.. Henger, repre-
senting the firm of Mason. Hoge & Co., called at
the Office Of Chief HILL On March a. Director
Costello of the Department Of Public WORKS.
who was later removed from office by Mayor
Weaver sent a letter to Chief Hill, authorizing
him to allow the contractors extra compensa-
ton for additional excavation. This work. the
witness declared, should have been performed
under the terms of the original contract with
out extra compensation.
Under cross-examination Spencer was asked If
he thought Senator McNichors visit to Mr.. Hill
concerned the extra remuneration paid the con-
tractors. He answered af1rmatively. Follow
ing Senator McNichoPs visit, Spencer said he
was ordered by Chief Hill to figure up the cost
of the additional excavation.
District Attorney Bell then introduced a letter
written by Chief Hill on March II to Director
Costello, enclosing form letter, requesting the
return Of the form by March q. Director Cos
teuo returned the form to Chief Hill. authoriz-
! ing the payment of the additional compensation
to the contractors The letter, Mr.. Bell de-
| clared, was prepared by Chief Hill after
! the visit of Senator AIcNichoI and Mr.. Henger.
! Spencer said the conduit was completed III
| April 1904. 1t was understood to be water
! tight when turned over to the city On being
! pumped out and tested, however, the witness
! said the leakage from the outside into the con
| duit was more than million gallons a day. He
stated, however, that with the conduit fun Qt'
| external pressure would be neutralized anC
| there would be little or no leakage from the
| outside.
| John B. Lucas, an engineer, testified that he
| made tests of the empty conduit from Deem
! Der % to December 30 of last year and gave
/ the maximum leakage as 2,127,145 gallons OF
| December %.
/ Additional testimony of lesser Importance wa:
| taken and court adjourned for the day.