The Washington herald., 1908-05-22
CRAWFORD DENIES
HAVING TIP ON BIDS
Contractor Emphatic in Pay
ing Scandal Inquiry.
TELLS OF EXPECTED PROFITS
Man on stand says He Expected TO
Make IL Per Cent on 81 600, 600 Job
Awarded to Brennan Company.
Bieber Not Authorized 10 Offer
$4,000 to Head on Competition.


For once there was nothing OF a strik-
ingly sensational nature in the investiga-
ton before Commissioners West and
Macfarland. in which Engineer Commits
sioner Morrow is taking an outside part.
Most of yesterday was occupied with
the testimony Of Charles II. Crawford.
president of the Crawford Paving Com
pany. who asseverated with some show
of Indignation that he had known
Charley" Fernald for more than twenty
years. and believed him 10 be quite hon
est and square. He also expressed his
entire belief in the honesty Of c. 5.
Hunt. engineer Of highways.
Mr. Cranford's testimony was given in
the first place as direct statement by
him IN refutation of certain charges and
statements that have been made in the
investigation up to this time. His cross
examination, conducted by Charles A.
Douglas. was directed mainly to bringing
out the story of the proposed eombina-
ton Of the two street-paving companies
with a view Of securing a higher price
for the work Mr.. Crawford admitted
that all the negotiations looking to a
combination of the Brennan Construction
Company and the Crawford Paving Com
pany had come from himself. and he
gave as his main reason for the pro-
posed combination the fact that the Dis
trict of Columbia was getting its public
work done at such low rates that there
was no profit in 1t, either for Mr.. Bren-
nan or himself.
Expected TO Make IL Per Cent.
In this connection it was interesting to
note that under cross-eXamination Mr..
Crawford admitted that In figuring on
hts own bid for the work which was
awarded to the Brennan Construction
Company, he expected TO make Z per
cent on the four-year contract involving
s.. .000. 600. which would net him $12O000.
He also took occasion TO deny ever hav-
ing authorized Sidney Bieber 10 approach
any one with an offer OF $4,000 not 10
compete. and this statement was empAa-
sized by the fact that Bieber entered the
investigating room and took a seat in the
rear just about this time. Commissioner
Macfarland announced that Sidney Bieber
had been summoned as a witness and
would appear to testify.
It is plain that the present investigation
is nearing an end. though it may last two
or three days more.
OF the important witnesses yet to testify
there is P. J. Brennan. Percy Crawford.
Mr.. McDermott, whom Commissioner Mac
farland stated In court yesterday morning
had been away on business, and Sidney
Bieber. 1t is not improbable, too. that Engi-
neer Commissioner Morrow may go on the
stand seeing that he has voluntarily de-
clined TO take any part in the judgment
OF the matter. and Charles Fernald may
testify TO clear away such chsrges as
have been made against him.
May Go TO President.
In connection with the decision of the
Commissioners in this investigation. there
is much speculation among the contrac-
tors and their friends, who display their
intense interest in the case by always be-
ing present as to what viii happen in
case the two Commissioners now sitting
in judgment on the case should agree to
disagree. In case Of a tie vote, there is
no one. now that Commissioner Morrow is
out Of it, to break the tie, and it is
thought that in that event the whole mat
ter may have to be submitted to the
President Of the United States for such
further action as he may deem necessary
to clear the skirts Of the District govern
ment.
Whatever way the decision goes. it is
most likely that there viii result some
suits in the civil courts of the District to
test the legality Of certain contracts
awarded.
There viii probably be some additional
testimony taken before the investigation
closes as to the sums of money received
by Charles Fernald- The first witness
yesterday. G. c. McElwee, of the Column
bia Title Company, testified as TO the
1900 house purchased by Fernald and
now in the name Of Mrs. Fernald.
Buys House with Check.
The records of this witness showed that
the house, located at l15 Fifth street
southeast. was paid for by FernaId with
$50 cash and the remainder OF the sum in
Continued on Page e, Column 4.