Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-26
THREE NEW BISHOPS McDERM0TT IS AWAY
Mehodists Elect Drs Smith. Contractor Wanted by Com
Lewis and Hughes. >mssioners Leaves City.
BRISTOLS CHANCES GROW NOT REACHED BY SUBPOENA
Washington Pastors Strength In Testimony Desired
creases With Each Ballot ism" Investigation.
DISTANCING HIS COMPETITORS ASKS POINTED QUESTIONS
Union Churches Int innate
and South Is Int ntional.
Contractor Wanted by Com
missioners Leaves CITY.
NOT REACHED BY SUBPOENA
Testimony Desired in the "Favorit.
ism" Investigation.
POINTED QUESTIONS
Attorney for Brennan Construction
Company Intimates That Absence
Is Intentional.

IT developed at the session today OF the
inquiry by the Commissioners into the
charges Of favoritism against the Dis
trict engineer department that Charles
McDermott Of the McDermott, McMullen-
Hoffman Construction Company. who
Charles Fernald. former assistant eng
neer of highways, is alleged to have said
gave him $500. and who was subpoena-d
to appear before the Commissioners. de-
parted from this city the day following the
beginning of the inquiry. The Commits
sioners were informed of this fact by
James Jenkins Overn. chief engineer OF
the company mentioned. who testified be-
fore the Commissioners today.
Mr. Overn said Mr. McDermott has Wis
tied several cities since he left Washing
ton, the witness adding that he is ignor-
ant of the whereabouts of Mr.. McDermott
at present.
He was in Philadelphia yesterday. hav-
ing been summoned to testify in a dam
age suit witness said. '.and don't know
when ne VIII return to Washington.
Unable to Serve Subpoena.
At the conclusion of the session yes
eCiueS commissioner !" SSl Icdu a re-
port from Maj. Sylvester. chief of po-
lice. to the effect that the policeman
detailed to serve the Commissioners
summons on Mr. McDermott reported he
was unable to serve Ii. Inasmuch as
Mr.. McDermott's appearance before the
commissioners is greatly desired by
them. 1t was decided TO summon Mr..
Overn. who is in charge of the work In
McDermott's absence.
tolY ba rc<
whereabouts of Mr.. McDermott. Mr..
Oyern was questioned by Attorney
Douglas Of counsel for the Brennan
Construction Company
You say Mr.. McDermott left Wash
ington the day following the COM
mencement of this investigation?' At
torney Douglas asked.
Yes. sir, witness replied
Il suppose you recognize the serious
ness and gravity of the charges made
against Mr.: McDermott?" the attorney
remarked.
Preference as to Words.
II like the word Inference better than
charges" Mr.. Overn said
We'll. then. you consider the infer
ence. as you call it, grave, don't your
Yes"
Have you seen McDermott since he left
town.
Yes: I saw him in Philadelphia last
Friday"
Did you tell him that the Commission
ers had summoned him to testify before
them in connection with the Allegation
that he had given Fernald 81, 500. and did
you advise him to return?
Il told him he was wanted witness
said. land I gave him some Washington
newspapers with articles about the in
vestgation in them. l didn't advise him.
though.
You are under oath. Mr.. Overn. and I
want to ask you the broad statement
whether or not you suspect Mr. McDer-
mott of purposely evading the law. and
that he has no idea of showing up?" At
torney Douglas asked.
Il have no right to suspect anything.
the witness replied.
Matter of Dumping Earth.
Mr. Overn was then questioned by At
torneys Douglas and Baker and each Of
tract with the District for dumping earth
In the Union station plaza fill.
He testified that his company deposited
several hundred thousand cubic yards OF
earth in the plaza. but was only paid for
earth excavated from the cut in Ecking
ton. He said it was understood that dirt
from elsewhere was not to be paid for.
On the witness stand yesterday r. }.
Brennan stated that he expected money
for dumping earth in the plaza. which
earth was excavated from the site of ths
House office building.
Will Notice Absence.
1T is not too late for Mr.. McDermott
TO appear" Commissioner Macfarland
said when Mr. Overn finished. This in
vestigation began May T. MIR. Overn
says Mr. McDermott left town May Is.
The Commissioners issued the subpoena,
~ lo, L.
MAY "a. when his name was furnished 10
the Commissioners If Mr.. McDermott
does not appear the Commissioners will
take notice of that fact In their con-
clusions. Moreover. the entire record Of
this hearing is being sent day by day to
the United States attorney for the Dis
trict of Columbia and he will have the
entire record when We finish
With the view of completing the investi-
CATION the Commissioners announced al
todays session that they will hold
session this evening from o'clock 10 II
o clock
MI Brennan Again Testifies.
Mr.. Brennan followed MIR. Overn as .
witness today. In answer TO A question
by Commissioner Morrow he said he does
not wish to assume the powers Of his at
torneys. but believes the Commissioners
should confine their questions and inNes-
tigation to the charges of fayoritiSm. He
said the Brennan company originally
claimed that favortism had been shown
the Crawford Paving Company by the en-
gineer department. which directly resulted
in the investigation, and that he feels
these charges have been substantiated.
and he does not care TO assume the role
of public prosecutor.
This investigation Is costing my COM
pany several thousands of dollars by liav-
ing its inspectors. engineer and other Of
ficials in daily attendance al these hear
ings." Mr.. Brennan added. "and | insis 4
that the Commissioners confine them
selves to the specific charges of favorit-
ism
Commissioner Macfarland told Mr.. Bren.
nan that II is the intention of the Com
nissioners to haye light thrown on every
additional phase of the matter, and that
they will use every means within their
power To secure the same.
Will Probe to the Bottom.
Whether the original charges of the
Brennan company have been substantiated
or not rests with the Commissioners. not
with you or your attorneys Mr. Macfar-
land said. Regardless of what you might
think Of the probable outcome Of the in
vestigation. the Commissioners will probe
these charges 10 the bottom AT the be-
ginning Of the investigation you were