The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-05-15
Assistant Engineer Commits
sioner Answers Charges
Made by P. ]. Brennan.
ACCUGER GIVEN
ASPHALT WORK
Charles Fernald Well Enough TO
Attend Hearing, But Fails to
Recognize Contractor.

That IN no instance since his counec-
tion with the Engineer Department, be-
ginning with September of last year.
has there been faroritism showl IN the
awarding of Disuilt contracts, was the
testimony offered by Capt. Edwin Marx
ham. Assistant Engineer Commissioner,
at the hearing today before The Commis-
sicners in regard TO the allegations pre-
ferred by =. J. Brennan. president OF
the Brennan Construction Company.
A number of the witnesses desired b.
the brennan Construction Company
Were present. but viii probably not be
called upon until tomorrow. Charles
FeTnald. former assistant engineer OF
highways. who was absent at the hear
ing on Tuesday because OF illness, at
tended, but no look of recognition pass
ed between him ana Mr.. Brennan. his
one-Jime friend. whose charges resulted
in the resignation of Mr.. Fernald.
Says Brennan Got Contracts.
Capt. Edwin Markham, the first wit
ness. in answering the testimony o:
Mr.. Brennan that the latter was the
successful bidder in all asphalt work
since entering the business. offered the
report OF the Engineer Department for
1894, in which il was shown that the
Crawford Company was awarded a CON
tract. It being the lowest and the Bren-
nan Construction Company, the highest
biddet.
The question OF the award for the
erection OF the sewage pumping sta
ton was discussed, Captain Markham
! testifying that under the specification.
/ there could be no division OF the con
tract which was aWarde1 IL the A =
Stannard Construction Company and Is
an entirely dissimilar instance 20 the
division OF the contract of March 80
1907, for paving streets. concerning which
q protest was made by Brennan
Attacks BTennan's Testimony.
Referring To the remark alleged .,
I have been made by Fernald 10 Haroil
Davis. ice president, and Edward 3
Johnson. superintendent OF the T5ss.gz-l-l-
Construction. that the Brennan people
would get no mere work. because the5
were too chiHchy. Captain MARKHAM
said that Ar. Brennan at first said thai
/ remark had never been made tn hiEr
/ personally, bat atJerWord declared thai
I Ii had
He said also that at an interview be-
I tween himself Major MorroW. Fcruaid
and Brennan, the latter said that re be
.ieved FcrUald 10 be honest, afteTWaTC
GUAM lllE IL III rA AtAAti tfltt7
/ the statement that be believed FeTuald
! honest according 10 Lis lights and
more fool than kuayt,'
! tsross-examinatiou by Attorney Charles
/ A. Douglas brought out the fact that
I Joseph II. Bradley. superintendent OF
I the Bradley Construction Company, ep-
preached Brennan and Davis, asking
| them 10 call of the investigation be-
cause it would land McDermott, of the
{ McAIulIen and McDermCJt Constructor
/ Company. and Joseph IL. Crawford, OF
/ the CRAWFORD Paving Company, III tbs
/ leaitentiary-
! Captain Markham said that after in
vestigatiOn of the contracts ia which
/ McDermott was interested me belieyel
/ there was no reason for suspicion O
/ bribery between McDermOt tand Fer
/ Iald or Crawford.