The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-05-16
DISTRICT DEFENDS
FERNALO, CHARGED
Brennan Attorney DiSlikeS
Question Relating to
$500 Note.

That the Corporation Counsel Of the
District Sc appearing more in The role
OF defender Of Charles Fernold, former
Assistant Engineer Of Highways. than
as an assistant 10 the Commissioners in
probing the charges Of favOVitism, was
the allegation made by Attorney Charles
a. Douglas. appearing for p. J. Bren-
nan. at the hearing before the Commis-
sioners today.
Corporation Counsel Thomas, in ques-
tioning Edward Markham. Assistant
Engineer Commissioner, referred 20 the
loan Of $3.50 by Br-nnan TO Fernald and
asked what excuse was given by Breu-
nan for the loan.
Mr. Douglas Immediately arose with
the statement that his client is not
appearing in the light Of a defendant
but as the one preferring the charges
now under investigation
Il do not like the attitude this ,n-
vestigatIon is assuming he said. IN
stead OF inquiring into the charges of
favoritisu, the case is developing into
a defense OF Fernald and the prosecu-
tion OF Brennan.
Il would ike TO have made known
now the attitude of the Commissioners.
Commissioner MaCfarland assured Mr.
Douglas that his desire is TO arrive al
all the facts. in order that justice may
be meted 10 all.
III is the Commissioners endeavoT
to conduct the investigation along those
lines" said Mr.. Macfs-land.
IN reference to the note IN question
Captain Markham said later in his tes-
tiInony that when called TO Fernald' S
attention. he frankly ACKNOWLEDGED re-
ceiving the loan an from Brennan.
Markham on Stand.
In resuming his cross-examination OF
Capt. Edwin Markham, assistant engi-
neer commissioner, Attorney Douglas
addressed himself to the award -
a contract involving, approximaI11 -.
$1,000 which wss given to the Crawford
Paving Company, and which was pro-
tested by the 2. J. Beau Construction
Company.
It was brought out by Captain Mark
hams testimony that the bids were
opened in an informal manner, and not
I in the presence Of the bidders, and al
the same time. Fernald, it was said
declined TO open the bids at y O'Clock
giving as an excuse that all the bids
were not in, and that he was too busy
at that time TO attend 10 the matter
He Met Crawford.
! subsequently FeTnald left the Office
and. it was said, met Joseph Crawford
/ of the Crawford Paving Company, IN
the office Of Robert Farnham, engineer
of the pennsylvania Railroad Company
! Informing him that his bid Tor the worl
| in question was not in. Crawford. it was
| testified. said that he had forgotten it
and at 4;so in the afternoon submitted Z
proposaI OF S13.615. FIVE dollars less thar
the bid Of the Beau Construction Com
| pany.
r. J. Beau entered a protest to th
| award. which was confirmed by tn
! commissioners. and la'er revoked, fol
llowing an opinion of The Comptroller o
the treasury, who decided that sueI
proposals should be advertised. Thi
procedure was followed, and the Bren
| nan construction Company was the sue
cessflil bidder in the second instance.
Was Not Suspicious.
| Asked by Mr.. Douglas whether he di
not consider as suspicious the fact tha
after an interview with Mr.. Fernal
Crawford submitted a bid S less thal
that Of the lowest bidder, up to the tim
of his submitting a bid, Captain Mark
ham said he did not so regard 1t, bu
/ Do