The Washington herald., 1908-05-26
BRENNAN LETTER
TO BIEBER READ
Continued from Page One.

Brennan said that neither Johnson nor
himself could assign any reasons for
Fernald desiring to ascertain the figures.
He said the conversations with Fernald
were held prior 10 the opening OF the
bids.
Commissioner Macfarland then took up
the loan OF 500 made by Brennan TO
Fernald.
Explaining this, witness said: "Fernald
came to me and explained that he had
! Just finished furnishing the major por-
ton OF his home. but that he needed some
few things additional, such as pictures.
SC, and asked me If would indorse his
note for $500. ] told him l would indorse
notes only for mself and the Brennan
Construction Company; and then l gave
him $500 In cash. and accepted his per-
sonal note, which Is for three years, and
has not yet matured."
In response 20 a question from Commits
sioner Mcfarland as 70 whether there
had been any interest or principal paid
on the note. Brennan said there had not
been.
The note was then produced and passed
around for the inspection Of the Commis-
sioners. The witness said he could NOT
remember where the note was drawn up,
but was under the impression IL was at
his Office, as he thought the body Of II
was in the handwriting OF his bookkeeper.
/ He said that on one occasion. when he
was In the engineer department signing
vouchers. Fernald had said he would like
TO Ak the note up. but Brennan had told
him, as his mother, Mrs. Brennan. was
very III at the time. the matter could be
arranged later. The subject of liduidating
the amount had not been mentioned since
then, he said.
Explains What He Meant.
In answer to Commissioner Mcfarland
as to what his Interpretation OF the re-
marks made by Fernald to him about the
company not getting any District work
unless they put up for 1t. Brennan said he
thought Fernald meant 10 convey the idea
to him that a public Office was private
snap.
! Continuing. Brennan said: ~ did not
think II Fernald's intention 10 force
money out OF me for his own use. but
believed ne made the remark rather in
the nature of advice
Brennan said Fernald had mentioned
no other names. with the exception OF
| Thomas. as having received money. He
reiterated much OF the testimony he gave
on the opening day OF the hearing. He
said he did not believe Fernald would
take money out OF his cash drawer. and
that he would allow Fernald access 10
the cash drawer OF the Brennan company
at any time.
Maj. Morrow took up the, cross-exami-
nation in an effort to fix the exact dates
Of the conversations with Fernald. Bren-
nan said he could not remember the
dates.
Il want 20 fix the time when you first
became suspicious that Fernald was
grating" said Commissioner Morrow.
Il don't remember replied the wit
ness.
Maj. Morrow then produced a copy OF
The Washington Herald Of April IS In
conversation with Fernald regarding the
Brennan company being too 'chinchy."
and would get no work until they put
up for II. that II might have taken place
on the same day he had made the loan
to FeTnald.
Il don't remember the dates. We might
have conversed on the matter on that
day. but my recollection is we did not
the conversation relating solely. 70 my
best recollection, 70 the completion OF
furnishing the Fernald home" said the
witness
Maj Morrow said II such conversation
had occurred on that day It would
place Brennan IN a serious light.
Here Attorney Douglas interposed with
the announcement that Brennan was per-
fectly able TO take care of himself on
the supposed seriousness Of the matter.
Brennan was then asked Il he had ever
been told that on one occasion Fernald
had been seen at the engineers Office
with big roll OF money.
Witness said that ne had, and at the
time il was common talk in the en-
gineer's Office, but he could not recolleet
the names Of any individual he had heard
talk Of H.
Maj. Morrow asked the witness If Bieber
had not offered the S25. 900 for an equity
In the asphalt plant OF the Brennan Com
pany. and the witness said he had not,
and explained how absurd an offer Of that
description would be- He said he thought
the OFFER was made to learn from the
Brennan Company their figures on the
resurfacing work or to keep them from
bidding.
Never Been Approached.
In reply to q question from Maj. Nor
row, Brennan said he had never been
approached by any OF the employees Of
the engineers Office for money, so far as
he could remember. He also said he
never heard any names connected with
alleged receiving Of money from con-
tractors other than those Of Fernald and
Thomas. both OF whom were mentioned
TO him by the former.
Responding 20 a query as to whether
he had ever taken a trip with Fernald.
Brennan said that when he purchased HIS
asphalt mine in Cuba he took Fernald.
who. az that time. was working for the
District. along. and that on their return |
Fernald, who had been on leave Of alb
sence during the trip. made a report to
the Commissioners Of the quantity OF the
deposit and the quality OF the asphaltum |
II contained. He was asked II he paid |
the expenses OF the trip. and said that |
he paid portion OF Fernalds expenses. !
but the latter would not let him pay them |
all. He said he took Fernald because he \
was an agreeable and companionable fell |
low and a capable man in that line. On |
another occasion Brennan said he sent |
Fernald 10 Norfolk, Va, TO do some |
work for him.
examination disclosed the fact that /
Fernald had not accepted any remuner- |
alton from Brennan, TO the best Of the |
latter's recollection.
Mai. Morrow asked Brennan II he had
consulted with any one before he had de-
cided to take a District officer on a trip /
Ike the Cuban one, and witness said he |
had not done so.
Did you not think the action might be |
misconstrued? asked Morrow.
Il did not" replied the witness.
Brennan said Fernald had informed him
when the work Of excavation for the Of
fee building OF the House of Representa-