The Washington herald., 1908-05-26

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For the first time since the hearing OF
charges OF discrimination by the Brennan
Construction Company against tie engi-
neer department began, fifteen days ago,
the engineers had an inning yesterday.
The most sensational event of the day
came at the afternoon session. when Com
missioner Morrow produced a letter writ
ten by P. J. Brennan TO Sidney Bieber. in
which the Brennan Company offered to
pay Bieber S1.0OO for the privilege OF
dumping earth taken from the excavation
for the House Office building on property
which Bieber owned in Southeast Wash
ington.
The introduction Of this letter followed
closely on the heels Of testimony from
Brennan that he had expected 10 be paid
by the District for placing the dirt on the
plaza at the Union Station, and that he
had sublet this contract TO the Stuart &
Wilmuth Contracting Company.
Efforts 10 show that Brennan was aware
Of the fact that he would not be paid for
dumping the dirt on the plaza site at the
Union Station. and that in subletting that
part Of the contract to Stuart he knew
they would have 10 hold the bag. failed,
as Brennan said Fernald had told him he
would ger paid the same as the McDer-
mott Company. and that he had informed
StJert TO that effect. He denied he was
aware of the fact that the McDermott
Company was paid only for the dirt they
hauled from lexington, and contended
that he expected the same price on the
dirt he sent 10 the plaza as they had re-
ceived from the lexington work
The Important Witness.
Brennan was by far the most impor-
tant witness Of the day. and when he
was called 10 the stand the spectators
leaned forward in an interested manner
and strained their ears so tnat not 4
word would escape them. Brennan was
visibly nervous. He spoke In a hesitating
manner, and there was lack Of the en-
ergetic. sharp. and decisive answers which
characterized his testimony on the first
day OF the hearing.
AS he took the stand. Brennan said:
If I am forced 70 use any profanity In
the course Of my testimony. I trust tho
Commissioners Will understand that no
offense is meant"
Attorney Douglas. representing Bren-
nan, opened the examination with refer
ence 10 remarks Of Fernald. He said:
1T has been sworn by you. Mr. Bren-
nan. that Mr.. Fernald told you OF receiy-
ing money from contractors. Is that SOP
Brennan said: ''Fernald came TO me and
said: They are all grafters down there
and informed me that unless we put up
for it we need not expect TO get any
work 80
He further said" continued Brennan.
&c NIcMullen and McDermott had put I'D
$780, Wainwright E.OOO.a and that Thom-
as got 5000"
Mr.. Douglas then asked Brennan 10 ex-
plain the offer Of $4,000 made to him by
Sidney Beiber.
Brennan said Beiber had come 20 him
and offered him $4,000 for the bids on the
resurfaCing work He said Bieber had
informed him at the time that he Die
ber) had seen the Crawford people. and
that they were willing to do anything
Brennan said about the bids
Il thought him too sharp for me-
said Brennan, so referred him 20 Mr..
Johnson.
On being questioned by Mr. Douglas.
Brennan said this offer was made before
the bids went in
Attorney Douglas referred 10 the testi-
mony a few days ago. 10 the effect that
Brennan had informed Mr.. Smith that
Maj. Morrow Engineer Commissioner,
said Smith was an undesirable citizen,
and asked Brennan 10 explain.
In the Majors Room.
Brennan said: we were in. Mai Nor
rows room, I think, with Capt. Mark.
ham. Maj. Morrow. johnson. Davis. and
myself. and were discussing varioua
things. As I was going cut Mai Nor
row said: I don't blame you. and I
don't blame Bean IN this matter. but I
do blame Smith: he is meddlesome.' or
words to that effect. and desires 70 get
the engineer department a little notor!-
ETY.
When 1 next saw smith, continued
Brennan. Il said, Smith. you are an
undesirable citizen. 1 then related to
him the remarks made in Maj. AIor4
rows Office"
Brennan said he had not meant 10 con-
vey TO Smith that Maj. Morrow had used
the words undesirable citizen
Commissioner mcfarland asked Bren-
nan rndnr what rcndfriOnu r1,a cor,,argo
tons with Fernald regarding the latter
receiving money frem contractors wer5
held. The witness replied they were pri-
vate, and occurred on various occasions,
Brennan said his relations with Fernald
had always been friendly. and that no
had placed implicit confidence in him
until informed by his superintendent. Mr.
Johnson. that Fernald was endeevoringS
70 learn the figures which the Brennan
Continued on Pnne q CoIumn q