The Washington herald., 1908-05-27

Despite the fact that Charles McDer-
mott, one Of the chief witnesses, has not
appeared before the Commissioners at
the investigation into the charges Of
favoritism preferred against the engineer
department. Of the District by P. J. Bren-
nan. the hearing has been closed. The
adjournment came after special session
last night. which ended at HIS o'clock.
Beginning to-day at o'clock, the argu-
ments will be presented by the lawyers
representing the principals In the case.
When the Commissioners will announce
their decision has not been decided upon.
but it is expected it will be made public
in a few days.
The voluntary testimony Of Samuel
Bieber. father OF the capitalist. politician.
and property owner, Sidney Bieber, was
the bright spot in the days sessions.
While his statements were Of little i'm
portance from a legal standpoint. they
tended TO enliven the proceedings.
Samuel BIeber's story.
Samuel Bieber. "speculator," as he
termed himself on the stand. was the
first witness at the evening session. He
said his son, Sidney, approached him
about fourteen or hfteen months ago,
and asked his backing in the project to
purchase the Brennan asphalt plant.
My son said the Brennan company had
borrowed $4,000, and he thought it a good
opportunity TO buy the plant. l told him
TO be careful in purchasing. secondhand
plants. and not TO pay any more than
II was worth. After talking the matter
over. 1 called Brennan on the phone. and
told him my son desired purchasing his
plant, and asked him to come TO my Of
fee.
He came TO the Office and said he was
willing to sell. but would have to consult
Johnson. the secretary. Johnson was
called on the phone and told by Brennan
to come to our Office. In the meantime
Brennan left, and Johnson, when he ar
rived, said he would have to consider my
sons proposition Of a $4,000 equity on
the Brennan plant. He said he would let
us hear from him in a few days"
L want to say right here" said Mr.
Bieber, Il consider S95,O0e entirely too
much to pay for Brennan's plant and I
can produce twelve men in this city who
will cOrroborate me"
AT this point Attorney Douglas took
up the examination, and succeeded in get
ting the witness to admit that he knew
absolutely nothing about the capacity Of
the Brennan plant, OF its outstanding
contracts with the District. and had no
idea Of what the plant exactly consisted.
Mr.. Bieber, you say you had no idea
Of the Brennan plant except what YOU
had gathered from general information
Why. then. did you desire to back your
son in buying the concern
Says He Is SpecuiatOr.
Il have been a specuiator all my life.
and was willing to try the asphalt busi-
ness" replied Bieber.
rs the asphalt business in your liner
1T isn't in my line, but could make it
in my line"
Everything Is the almighty dollar with
you. Mr.. Bieber''
Yes, and it Is the same with you too.
Commissioner Macfarland was Obliged
to rap for order at this point TO preserve
the dignity Of the hearing.
Bieber then began long discourse re-
lating to his operations in building a
sewer in this city some years ago, and
upon which he had lost several thousand
dollars. He was interrupted by Attorney
Douglas, and requested to condne himself
to answering the questions put to him.
Much laughter was evoked when Bieber
persisted in talking on subjects foreign to
the matter under discussion.
You advised your son 10 ray S95. 900 for
the Brennan plant, although you and he
knew nothing about this business. and |
had little. If any. knowledge of the status /
of the concern. On what did you base
your estimation of S95000?'
"On what 1 had seen along the streets |