The Washington times., 1908-04-23
.FERNALD CHARGES
LEAD TO HEARING
Commissioners Ask P. j.
Brennan to Talk Next
Thursday.
Desire to Know His Views
on Division of
Contracts.

Following a conference, the Commits
sloners today decided TO give a pubic
hearing next Thursday morning at II
o'clock, at which p. J. Brennan, whose
charges against Charles Fernald, Of
the Engineer Department, resulted in d
call for that officials resignation, viii
be given an opportunity TO express mis-
views regarding the division of certain
contracts for street paving work, and
the reasons therefor
Ii has come TO the ears of the Com
missioners that Mr.. Brennan has cir
culated the report that the award 81
the contracts was not made in accord
ance with the rules Of equity. In order,
therefore, 10 set at the bottom of the
matter the Commissioners have decided
10 permit Mr. Brennan TO present his
side Of tho case before the fun board of
Commissioners and in the presence OF
all persons interested.
Major Morrow Speaks.
ia a statement issued today, Engineer
Commissioner AICrrOW said:
4 know that Mr.. Brennan has for
this year been harboriBg this resent
ment against the office and has been
talking with a great many people Of
this decision as a raw deal, and / re-
gret that he has seen fit TO consider it
in this light. His attitude and state
ments are directly responsible Tor the
charges made in connection with the
recently opened bids for the paving Of
First street and in the discussion in
connection with this matter he invited
our attention 10 some grave Irregular
ties charged against Nj Feruald, and
which nave resulted IN MI. fernald >
separation from the office
has made about Mr.. Feruald may be
true. L do not believe that they are. nor
do ! believe that Mr.. Brennan believes
that they are. They were however OF
such character that the office could
not overlook them and Mr.. Fernald'
resignation was requested and accepted
The Commissioners viii, however
give Nj. Brennan "a chance 10 be com
pletely heard anew IN the matter, al q
public hearing, fixed at my motion FOL
next Thursday.
I desire to make my position clear
that IL there are any irregularities IN
the Engineer Department there is uC
one more Interested in finding them Ou
than / am. nor - there any one VINO
would favor taking more drastic actor
L. put stop TO them than Will
note certain statements in the press thi,
morning which. L believe, should be re
piled 20 in detail
He Explains Statements.
1T is stated that the Commissioner
revoked an award 20 the Crawford PAY
ing Company recently protested against
by the BeaH Construction Company
and suggests that the reason of this
revocation was on account OF an irragu-
larity in opening the bids. rather thar
Inon The D2ObAbiy adverse ruling of d.,
COMPTROLLER that might be expected IN
the matter. The District Auditor hay
ING. subsequent to the Commissioners
decision 10 award this contract to the
Crawford Paving Company. stated 10 tbs
Engineer Commissioner his doubt thai
the Comptroller would pass payments
under this contract where the fOTmali
ties II public advertisement had moi
been followed
'sTn regard 10 this particular case. J
wish to state that when the charges OF
the ReaU Construction Company of IA
voritism we're received by the Commits
sionars. an investigation by the Board
of Commissioners was at once made, al
which Mr. Beau and Mr. Smith. of the
Beau Construction Company. were pres
ent as were Captain Markham. Mr.
Hunt. and Mr.. Femald, of the Engineer
Department. and also MeSSrs- JOSEPH
and Percy Crawford, Of the Cranforl
Paving Company.
AS a. result of this investigation th'
Commissioners issued an order award
inc the contract to the Crawford Paving
Company. the lowest bidder. BY reason
of the probable adverse action of th'
cornptrollcr as outlined above, and Al
the suggestion OF the District Auditor
and for no other reason. the Commits
sioners cOuntermaDded the order award
ing the contract TO the Crawford Payius
Company. and the work Is now beins
formally advertised for new proposals
CAPT. BUTT ORDERED HERE.