Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-10-12
DAVIS KNEW NOTHING OF CHANGE
Contractor Who Laid Brick Paving
Tsstifies That His First knowledge
That Change in Paving specifies'
tons Had Been Made When Ccun-
Gilman Christie Brought Matter Up.

stand in his own behalf yesterday al
ternoon in the investigation by May
or Jones OF the engineers actions IN
allowing the contractor to reduce the
depth OF the sand base under the WI
ritied brick paving without the knowl-
edge of consent of the city council. AS
he had once beore. Mr.. Pearse admit
ted that he had reduced tue depth OF
the sand base from the four inches
required by the specifications to from
two to two and one-half inches ana
explained that he issued the orGers
after he had found that the paving
would not roll smooth with four inch
es OF base under II.
Difference Not over $500.
The city engineer stated that the
cost in the difference of laying the
amount of sand base put down and III
laying the four inches required by the
specification would not exceed $500.
This statement caused some surprise
to the members of the council and
others present, but the statement was
corroborated by President Maloney.
of the Washington Asphalt Block and
Title Company.
Mr.. Pearse also testified that when
the council let the contract for the
brick paving between and along
side OF the tracks of the street
railway company that it vr-
tually repealed some of the pro-
visions of the specifications for the
paving between the tracks and the
curbing. He explained this by saying
that the specifications for the rail-
ways part of the paving called for
two inches OF concrete base between
and two feet OH each side of the
tracks. He said that it would be
impossible to put down four inches OF
sand abutting the two inches OF con-
crete and get the paving to roll well.
This part of the engineers testimony
was substituted by President Malon-
ley.
Mr.. Pearse was on the stand for
about an hour and was questioned
at some length by both Mayor Jones
and City Attorney ]. A. Massie, who
represented the city at the hearing.
Mr.. Pearse made virtually the same
statements that he had repeatedly
made to the council and the commit
tees since Councilman Z. +. Christie.
of the Second ward, first brought TO
the attention Of the council two
months ago the fact that less than
! four inches of sand base was being
used under the vitriied brick paving
! then being laid on certain of the
streets and avenues of the city by
Contractor ]. W. Davis.
Conclude Evidence Today.
Mayor Jones began the Investiga-
tion In his Office at the city hall yes
terday morning at 10 o'clock before
Excellent progress was made during
the dav. all but three or four of the
many witnesses summoned having
been heard before the mayor adjourn
ed the hearing for the day. The TAX
ing of testimony will be concluded
this morning and then the mayor will
make his decision.
City Engineer Pcarse was
present throughout the ehaTing
yesterday with his attorney. Mr.. o.
ID. Bachelor. who questioned all OF
. the witnesses placed On the stand dur
ing the day
Contractor Knew Nothing.
Contractor J. w Davis took the
stand just before the hearing was ad-
journed for the lunch hour yesterday
and he testified that he knew nothing
OF the change in the depth OF the
sand under the paving and that II the
city engineer told Mr. Shannon. the
paving forman employed by Mr.. Davis.
to change the depth. the foreman did
not report IL to the contractor. Mr..
A. Davis went on 10 say that the erst he
knew Of any change in the depth Of
the sand was when the matter was
brought M tn the council.
Councilman Christie. who FIRST
brought the sand base matter 10 the
sttentscn Of the council. was The frs;
witness placed On the stand when the
Investigation opc-.cd Mr.. Christie
knew nothing further than tia, less
han four inches Of sand had been
pat down under the paving on Tvcn-
ty-cigh;h street near JET rson ave
noe
Vice pre sideat G n. West. Of .he