The Washington herald., 1908-05-21

Commissioners resumed their seats to
listen to a brief typewritten statement
prepared by Mai Morrow.
It follows
desire 70 state that in view Of the statement OF
the attorney for Mr. Brennan. as TO the altitude
which the public may take toward the Investigation
now in progress. ] consider that Il would be IN
Compatible with ms appreciation Of my duties as
member Of the Beard Of Commissioners that should
retire from ny position as a member ot that board
in the effort 10 obtain all possible light on the
ThTious questions at isSue.
But I can zee no possible objection 70 ny vol
UNFAIRLY reiTaiuing frem taking part N the decision
Of the case. and / win 50 refrain,
do not however, believe it compatible with his
dignity as a member Of the Board Of Commissioners
that any member should be sworn as witness
have made and shau make statements BEFORE
the board where such statements VII throw light
uuon any roint at issue And should properly hers
state that IN case the board should at the concur
sion Of this hearing TT to forward the record Of
the hearing 10 the United States attorney for such
action as he may deem advisable such statements
viii be pat in the foun Of an affidavit In order
that they may be placed before that Official IN The
sane light as the balance Of the record. which u
sworn testimony
The investigation was then resumed.
w. +. Brenizer on stand.
The first witness called was Warren F.
Brenizer. a local contractor, who ex-
planned a conversation between him and
Brennan. concerning reports OF irregular
transactions IN which Fernald was al
legged 10 have been implicated.
Brenizer said he had told Brennan he
had heard Fernald had accepted money
from contractors. but that it was all
based on hearsay. Attorney Baker. OF
counsel for Brennan, asked the witness
II he had stated how much money Fer
nald was supposed to have received and
by whom il was given.
Witness said he did not, and that he
had told Brennan that as the accusation
was merely hearsay, It would not be
vouched for by him, and that he could
not recall the names OF those who made
the assertion.
I have never heard any TumoTs OF any
description concerning irregularities in the
engineering department, said Brenizer
Il have never heard remarks made by
officials Of the District government that
would lead me to believe they were look
ing for money or endeavoring to secure
faYors."
Not Suspicious of FeFnnId.
Commissioner Macfarland asked why
Brenizer had not informed the Com
nissioners at the time he was told Fer
nald was receiving money from con-
tractors. He replied:
Il have known Fernald for a long
time. and mad never heard anything
against his character. At the time
heard these charges ] placed no Gre
denee in them, and / ana frank 10 admit
that I think IL was foolish on my part
10 repeat those rumors to Brennan in
the first place without having grounds
upon which 70 base them
r. J. Beal. the next witness. said that
two years ago he had heard Fernald
remark that he Fernaid) would not do
anything for the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad Company because It was too
close and would not give up anything
He was not cross-examined.
After he left the stand the session ad-
journed until 10 o'clock this morning.