Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-06
GREENE-GAYNOR TRIAL
Further Testimony Showing
Capt. Carriers Methods.
]. W. o. sTERLEY ON STAND
Contended Defendants Were Favored
by Carter.
WHEN BIDS WERE ASKED FOR
Because It Would Be Arranged to
Belate Arrival OF Other Offers
for the Work.
]. W. o. sTERLEY ON STAND
WHEN BIDS WERE ASKED FOR

SAVANNAH, Ga, t'eDruary ~. w. ~.
Sterley was called to the stand upon the
resumption of the Greene and Gaynor trial
in the federal court this morning He said
Carter had requested authority to print
ESQ copies of the specifications for the
Savannah harbor contract of 1892, upon
which an expenditure Of 100000 was to
| be made OF these lbs copies were sent
to the chief of engineers at Washington.
The witness testified that the specifications
were ready to be sent out July 80. The
bids were to be opened August 20.
Col. Barr, for the government, read let
tiers from Capt. Carter to prospective bid
ders on the contract.
These read, as a rule: Your letter re-
questing one specification received and I
send you one copy. If you do not intend
to bid please return the inclosed specifica-
ton"
It Was Carter's Practice.
The government contends that Carriers
practice was to send but one specification
to each contractor, who was not In collu-
sion with him. thereby giving Greene and
Gaynor an advantage, because it would
be too late for the "outsidery' to get in
their bids by the time the two other copies
necessary to enable them to prepare bids
arrived
various letters to outsiders" who had
been sent but one copy and who either
didn't receive the other two or were too late
to get their bids in. on account of the abb
breviated time that Carter allowed adver-
tisement for proposals to run.
In each letter Carter requested that. in
the event the contractor did not intend
to bid he return the copy OF specifications.
Carter Knew Better.
District Attorney Erwin explained to the
court that though Carter had plenty Of
copies of specifications he was accustomed
to send but one, though he knew the bids
had to be submitted in tripicate.
BY the replies of those who desired the
other two copies. Mr.. Erwin said, Carter
and Green and Gaynor were able to keep
a careful check upon those who purposed
to bid. Some of the letters, he declared,
showed that three copies had been properly
sent upon application, but these went to
Green and Gaynor OF their alleged con-
federates.
Requests From Contractors.
Gen. Barr read applications from many
contractors throughout the country desiring
specifications for the big Savannah con-
tract. Most of these applications failed to
specify the number of copies desired. but
in one instance it was plainly stated that
these copies were desired
tional Dredging Company, William Church.
man, Wilmington. Del, stating that-tnstead
of specifications Carter had fnclosed a copy
of the ordnance officers report from one of
the harbor forts. To this Carter offered an
apology by letter, and Enclosed. as seemed
his rule, one copy instead Of three, and this
nine days before the date fixed for opening
the bids.
Some of the letters received by Carter
ST owed that he sent specifications as late
as three days before the date fixed for
opening the bids One written by Carter
inclCsed specifications eighteen days after
the receipt Of the request for them.
Carter Figured Finely.
Several letters from contractors who had
been sent specifications were received by
Carter Some of these read in court stated
that, owing to the short time left them the
contractors had been unable to prepare
bids
Gen, Barr then read number of letters
applying for specifications on contract for
improving the harbor of Savannah In 1895.
The replies of Carter also were read, as
were letters of Carter inclosing specfica-
tons, in answer to oral requests. Brief
time. Ia most cases, was left between the
sending of the specifications and the date
fixed for the opening of bids
Plenty Of Blanks Printed.
Sterley testified that on this contract 300
copies of specifications were printed. There
were plenty of these specifications. he said;
more than enough to have supplied all the
applicants with a full set each. Ho said
he had met Captain Carter at the Univer-
Adjournment was taken until tomorrow
and that then Carter had given him In
structions to notify Captain Greene as soon
as Steriey received notice from Washing
ton of the approval of the specifications.
Carter had also Instructed him, anticipating
this approval of the chief of engineers to
have the specifications printed.
Adjournment was tkaen until tomorrow,
Judge Speer announcing that, counsel con-
senting, the court would direct that at a time
to be agreed upon the jurors might see
their families at such dates as might be
arranged. though he would require that the
Jurors pledge their honor not to discuss
the Greene and Ga rrith