The Washington herald., 1908-05-20

/ i told Brennan IN conference with
other contractors. prior to fling his
/ charges, that were he to press the
charges against the engineer department
it would. put two OF my best friends in
the penitentiary. / said I would en-
deavor to have Fernald resign, but did
| not guarantee it, as has been stated by
Mr., Smith. Brennan insisted that c. B.
Hunt. engineer OF highways, should be
ousted with Fernald, because OF his al
legged favorltism 20 the Crawford com
pany. I objected 70 this move, on the
grounds that Hunt had in no way acted
dishonesty"
Wanted an Explanation.
Following this statement Commissioner
MacfaFland asked the wisaess what he
meant by saying 10 Fred Smith that the
engineer department was rotten.
7 said the conditions in that once were
rotten; not the individuals"
DO you mean the conditions were cor
rupt?'
Il charge no corruption. I charge un-
faig discrimination.
Leaving Fernald out Of the matter. can
you furnish the name OF an Official who
knows Of any graft alleged to have taken
/ I can refer you only 10 the witnesses
already examined"
The Commissioner then drew from the
witness that Brennan's reasons for seek
Ing the removal OF Fernald was because
he had received money from other firms
and had shown fayoritism TO the Craw-
fords
At this point Commissioner Morrow took
up the examination and questioned the
/ witness relative TO the conferences held
/ by him, Brennan. and r. ]. Beall
Later in his examination Bradley said
+ ne had based his testimony solely on
/ Fernald's statements relative to graft In
the Engineer Department.
/ I acted Throughout this matter as
! peacemeker I was endeavoring TO have
my friends names kept out of the pro-
/ oeedings we were planning
Commissioner Morrow then tried 20 draw
/ from the witness statements alleged to
/ have been uttered by Brennan in Brad
ley's hearing regarding Commissioner
Biddle's removal by the President
interrupted the Examination.
Charles A. Douglas. Brennan's attor-
ney, interrupted the examination. saying
he considered such questioning importer
as It In no way related 10 the present
case. and secondly, because il was un-
called for on the part Of the Engineer
/ Commissioner.
Mr. Douglas objection was sustained
Immediately before adjournment, NJ
yelling, an employe of the navy yard
was called, and questioned as 10 the sale
OF a house by him TO Fernald in the
spring Of 1906
Wellings testimony brought out the
fact that Fernald. through the Columbia
Title Company, paid him s7.OO0 cash for
property.
On motion OF Attorney Douglas. the
hearing adjourned az $50 o'clock to meet
again this morning at 10 O'Clock.
smith the First witness.
Fred Smith. stockholder Of the R. ].
BeaH Construction Company. was the
first witness called at the morning ses-
sion he told OF a conversation In the
Raleigh Hotel on April 3. at which were
present Brennan, r. J. BeaH, and Joseph
Bradley, sand contractor.
We we're discussing our grievances
against the District engineer department.
and Bradley" said the witness. declared
he was with US; that ne had been dis
eliminated against, and that he would
stand by us at the proper time.
I insisted We were not conducting the
case properly; that We would never get
thorough investigation from Maj. Nor
row. and that We ought TO let him handle
the matter in hts own way. Then he
would take up the matter and whitewash
the parties, as he had already shown
disposition to do. I suggested we take the
affa!r before the President, and have the
Secret Service force put on the case.
Then, and not till then, would we get at
the facts. Brennan said he was person
ally acquainted with the President, and
could get full hearing. said If he
couldn't do il l was quite sure I eouId
We then discussed the plans the secret
Service would probably follow in ascer-
taining the facts.
He Was Not a Gutter,
Later, Bradley came TO me and said:
Fred Smith. you may think I am a ouit-
ter, bat / am rot. These proceedings
must stop. II they go to the President
you cannot stop them. and il will prob
ably put two Of my best friends In the
penitentiary.'
In bis testimony Smith said one Of these
men was McDermott Of the McDermott
& MCMILLAN Construction COMPANY from
whom Fernald is alleged 10 have received
$500 Continuing, the witness said Nc.
Dermott. when informed OF Fernald,s rs-
mark threatened 70 break his facs ,.
Smith said Bradley had at no time acted
as agent Of either McDermott or Gran.
ford, and that his efforts to stop the nro-
ceedings were solely to protect his
friends.
II was while testifying OF the alleged
irregular method in which bids were
opened oy Charles Fernald, then assistant
engineer Of highways. that Smith stirred
the engineer Commissioners anger.
smith was testifying as to visiting Com
Hiissiouef west TO make complaints re- !
gasaing conduct in the engineer depart |
iiieH'' sild 70 obtain information. Look |
ing at Maj Morrow, the witness said,
You seem surprised that went IN Mr. /
west instead OF coming 10 you to see |
about things in your department. Do YOU /
want 10 know why before I prooeed7"
Yes, so ahead and spit il out" Maj |
Morrow replied
1 am not splitting anything. major" /
answered Smith, apparently displeasef /
az the expression, but 1 am here to tell /
what know. / went TO Mr.. West be-
cause knew l would not get fair and /
courteous treatment from you had /
been told you did not like me, and had +
said ! was a mischief-maker. and an /
undesirable citizen"
Who told you that?' asked the En-
gineer Commissioner.
Mr.. Brennan told me-"
Calls Brennan Liar.
'.NIr Rrennar, ia = liar Il ha saia .hot