The Washington herald., 1908-05-22
CRAWFORD DENIES
HAVING TIP ON BIDS
cen.inuea from pags one.

terdsy In regard TO the bids on the FIRST
street work. which was awarded TO the
Crawford company because their bid was
S lower than any other bid. The evil
dence tends to show that the bids on this
large contract were opened in an irregular
way. though Mr. Crawford testified that
the bid Cor his firm was made by his
brother Percy. who had made up the
figures the night before the bids were
submitted
He derled cafegoricaliy that either his
brother Percy Or himself had been fur
nished any figures by Charles Fernald, or
BY any one else, to enable them to make
low bid
Purchase of FernaId Home.
The first witness called was George c.
McElwee. a representative OF the CO.
lumbia Title Company. who told of the
purchase Of a home by Charles Fernald.
He was followed By E. L. Hillyer. who
explained a deed Of trust placed on the
Fernald property. He was ordered TO
place a record of this transaction before
the Commissioners.
Fred Drew, Of the Drew and Sheehan
Construction Company, told of submitting
a bid for the paving Of First street,
which was protested by the Beall Con-
struction Company, and that the contract
had been awarded TO the Crawford Com
pany on a bid submitted late IN the after
noon, after Crawford had an interview
with Charles Fernald.
FernaId Given Good Character.
W. s. Strauss. engineer for the Wash
ington Terminal Company. told of the
good character Of Fernald and the ex-
eellent reputation he enjoyed.
Joseph H. Crawford. president Of the
Crawford Paving Company, was called
It is the Crawford company which, Bren-
nan alleges. was made the recipient OF
favors from the engineer department
That his company had received any IA
vors OF any one was denied by Mr.. Gran
ford.
After Crawford had taken the stand
on motion Of his legal representative. At
tcTney Fiannery. it was decided TO allow
Crawford 10 tell his story without inter
ruption and let the cToss-examination fol
low.
He stated he had been in the paving
contracting line for the past twenty
years, and that IN that time he had come
in contact with officials Of the District
almost daily He said he had known
Ferna.d IN a business way for the past
fifteen years and had always respected
and liked him.
"As Straight as "A Die.s
Il believe him TO be as straight as a
die" said Crawford.
$50 Far as Hunt. engineer Of highways
is concerned. I want 10 say God never
put a straighter or more honest man or
earth. He Is a warm personal friend OF
mine. a more honest man never lived.
AT the time this investigation was in
its incipiency. Joseph Bradley. Of the
Columbia sand Dredging Company who
testified here several days ago. told me-
all that was on foot He informed me
Brennan had told him that Fernald had
informed Brennan that he (Feruald) had
accepted $500 from Mr. McDermott, of
the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Construction
Company and that he had also accepted
$1,000 from Jack Wainwright. and also
monetary favors from other contractors.
4 asked Bradley what I had 10 do
with the matter He informed me ! had
great deal to do with it."
Crawford Chosen 10 Hold Probe.
It then developed that Bradley had Sc
lected Crawford as the one nearest 20 the
engineers Office to forestan the investi-
cation which Brennan contemplated
It seems that two men were in jeopardy
and that evidence which might be ad-
duced at a hearing at request Of Brennan
would be detrimental to them If Brennan
was allowed TO file his charges
Witness said Bradley had informed him
II FeTnald and Hunt were forced 20 re-
sign. Brennan would withdraw the
charges which he contemplated making.
Attorney Douglas, representing the
Brennan company. through cross-ques-
tionins, developed that Bradley had gone
20 Crawford IN an effort TO smother the
investigation aud force the resignation OF
Hunt and Fernald, because he thought
Crawford was closer to the engineering
department than any one else.
Crawford Favored Combine.
That he advocated the formation of a
combine 10 do the District work was ad-
nitted by Mr.. Crawford He said that
when bids for certain work were adver-
tised he. with Percy Crawford. consulted
with Brennan and johnson. At this con-
ference he informed Brennan the Gran
ford asphalt plant was being operated
at a loss and he did not believe the Bren-
nan company was making any large
prohts.
Il then suggested we join hands in
stead Of cutting each others throats, as
in the past and thus reduce TO a mini
mum the expenses of operation. and get
fair profit out Of cur work"
By cross-questioning. Attorney Douglas
attempted to show that the proposed COM
hiaation, as suggested by Crawford, was
not for the purpose Of minimizing ex-
penses. but 10 force a higher price for
work out Of the District officials
How Crawford Got Contract.
Through cross-questioning, Attorney
Douglas also developed that a contract
awarded March 30. to the Crawford Com
pany. on division. in which the Brennan
Construction Company had been the low
est competitor, with a bid s200 less than
other companies, was given TO the Gran
ford company. after Crawford had called
on Commissioner Biddle and Commits
sioner Morrow, who at that time was
Assistant Engineer Commissioner.
Crawford said he was greatly sur,
prised he had been let in on the contract
at all. It was shown by Attorney Doug
las, however, that the award was made
after his interview with Biddle and Nor
row. Witness intrenched himself behind
the bulwarks of competition.
Denies knowledge of Bribery.
Crawford denied knowledge of any at
tempted bribery on the part OF Sidney
Bieber. and said il Bieber acted In that
manner It was without authority from
him
Commissioner Macfarland then an
nounce1 that Mr. Bieber had been sum
moned ag a witness.
Attorney Douglas put Crawford through
a most rigid cross-examination.
At 4:S9 o'clock the hearing was ad-
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