The Washington times., 1908-05-27

actually used this ingenious scheIne as
vehicle for conveying 10 the ran
hords an unprecedented amount OF work
aoA contemplated in the original con-
ract The bidders were told that they
3 would be required to do a reasonable
amount OF additional work, ana that
amount was fixed at about $4,000. Major
Morrow himself assured the officers Of
he Brennan Construction Company that
30 work above the estimated amount
would be given 10 the Cranfords under
hat contract The contract covered the
regular appropriation for the fiscal year
of 1907 and 1905 and even though dis
eliminated against IN the interest OF the
Cranfords, Mr. Brennan. upon this as
surance finally acquiesced, after strenu-
eus protest. 10 the determined viii OF
Lhe Engineer Department"
with what result? Having secured
the Cranfords as paving contractors
the scandalous performance was WI
messed OF giving them additional Wolh
70 an amount aggrega ting about SAeUps
the money for which was not derived
from the regular appropriation act, but
came from money on hand at the time
the division of the contract was made.
The purpose TO do this must have Deeh
tn the minds OF the officials or Inc En-
gineer Department, when the statement
was made that only $4,000 OF new Work
would be ordered.
1.-THE only explanation which we nave
furnished for this gross favoritism Is
that the work was determined upon
after the division OF the contract
He Scores Morrow.
1--WE find another unprecedented
thing that sheds light upon the motives
Of the engineer department In the prem
lses. Il is provided by the organic law
that the District Commissioners shall
rot enter into any. obligation on behalf
II the District until the same shall have
been approved by Congress, and yet we
1-~- 81 aI-
Eegregating about 500, 900 We're deliV-
cred TO the Cranfords. when there was
no money available to pay for the work
when completed, and in order TO give
the Cranfords the full benefit OF all pos
6ible work under the contract an ur-
genCy deficiency appropriation of $780,
J00 was asked and secured OF Congress
These orders were delivered TO the
Cranfords months in advance of the
time when money available for the
payment of the work was in hand, SO
that again there was violation OF the
law in this attempt 10 obligate the Dis
trlct for the bench Of the CranfOrds. IL
advance OF the approval OF Congress.
The evidence of favOritism and posi-
tive corruption surrounding the FIST
street contract IS conclusive.
"If any evidence We're necessary to es-|
tablish beyond the shadow Of doubt tav-
oritism TO Crawford and discrimination
against Brennan, II is 10 be found IN
the attitude of the Engineer Department
and the Engineer Commissioner In par
ticuIar toward the two contractors in
this full investigation.
Before we had proceeded upon this IN
vesLigaTion very far. both Mr. BeaIl
and Mr.. Brennan had been denounced
by the Engineer Commission6r-Mr
BealI Of a mischief maker and a man
seeking notOTiety-NT. Brennan as pre-
ferring charges which were not true
and which he himself did not believe to
be true.
Test Of veracity.
What a spectacle in the light OF the
testimony which has been adduced here.
Had Mr. Beau no foundation for com
plant growing out of the First street
contract. and had Mr.. Brennan no cause
TO prefer charges on account OF the d.
vision Of this contract and open declara-
ton by Fernald, that unless he paid for
the work he would not get it? In the
course of this investigation the En-
Eineer Department and particularly the
Engineer Commissioner has shown re-
markable evidence OF rank hostility
toward the proponents of these charges,
and has aided and abetted the Gran
fords as II he had been their paid at
torney,
that no light has been cast upon the
relation OF the CranfOrds with the de
partmeut, except that which has been
wrung from him in the course or this
Investigation So bitter has been his
feelings toward Beall and Brennan that
he has not been able to conceal IL on
any occasion and in his own mind 10
question the good faith and integrity
of every man who has appeared here TO
attest the facts He has denounced
Brennan as a liar, taking advantage of
the technical word when he himself ad-
mits the substance of the remark.
we are willing 10 submit the issue
OF this evidence, together with that Of
verecity between the Engineer Com
rgrf4
Brennan has not been the miniOn OF
fortune.
Attorney J, s. FIannery, attorney for
the CranOrds. and John Z. Laskey. rep
resenung Fernald, will submit argu-
ments or their respective clients. and
Attorney Charles a Douglass Will close
for Brennan.
Hunt Gives Reasons.
Conway B. Hunt, engineer Of high
ways, whom Brennan desired TO have
removed, at the same time acknowledge
ing that he had nothing on him." was
the closing witness at last nights ses-
sion. Mr.. Hunt was on the stand
nearly three hours, during which time
he went over the entire list OF streets
awarded 10 Brennan. and, the Gran
fords. under the division Of the con-
tract OF March 30, 1907, for street paw
ing work.
III edCA instance MI Hunt gave ElS
reasons for recommending that certain
work so TO the CranfOrds and that u
certain part be awarded 10 Brennan, |
his evidence tending 10 show that ha !
Is in no way connected with the charge |
OF faVOTitism.
In reply 10 a question by Commits !
sioner Mcfarland. Mr.. Hunt said that
lie never has received money from any |
contractors OF others having business !
with the District. /
Contrary 10 expectations, Mr.. Hunt |