The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-03-13
THE COURT HOUSE INVESTIGATION.

Ex.MayOr Gunther On tho Stand-Two
Other Witnesses Examined-No Frauds
Vet Proven.
The Special Committee Of the Board Of Supervisors ap-
pointed to investigate the alleged frauds tho building
OF the new Court House. met yesterday sfternoon-prs
sent Supervisors Fox Blunt Beakey and Hayes Super
visor Fox in the chair Supervisor Ely was as usual
present with his counsel Mr. Anthem and Mr. Cram ap-
peared for the committee aud the iron contractors
The FIRST witness placed on the stand was ex. Mayor
Gunther He testified that in April, 1894. he sent .
communication TO tho Board Of Supervisors informing
Thorn that three houses engaged in the iron trade had
sent him communications Informing him that the prices
charged for the iron work high, and that h6
asked them TO appoint a committee TO investigate
the matter. He said his communication NOT
based on any personal knowledge OF fraud, and
that he knew Of personally In the Of
the building OF the new Court House. He testified thas
he signed bills for payment OF iron work the Court
House after he had sent the communication In question
TO the Board because he said, he compelled siga
them Tho witness testified that he told there
extrayagance In tho work the Court House. but that
he did not know OF H.
John Fowler OF 1877 West Twelfth street. was tho next
witness the stand His evidence the effect that
he had put in bid for the work the Court House the
rate OF from seven totwelve and bali cents pound but
that he thought he would have lost money II he got the
contract; no never expected 90 get 1t when he made tho
bid. and put II In without having the plans anl
specifications; he would however have taken the
tract al the price he sad had II been awarded him.
he the contractor for the work the dome Of
tho Capitol at Washington, and contracted for It orgia
ally at seven cents pound but IL putting
in claim Tor fourteen cents because Of the governneqt
stopping tho work In 1856 he could not mako proAs
the iron work Of the Capitol at fourteen cents .
pound the price he csmed for work done since 1891
be the advertisement for proposals for the now
HERALD building, but did not put Ia proposal for H.
Theodore H. Gross examined aud testified that he
put IN bid for work the Court House forty poe
cent above the market price, and tina. private parties
ara paying more for the same iron work now than the
county Is paying for the work on the Court HOUSE
There little elsc In the evidence of this witness thst
really amounted 10 anything
The examinations and foss-examinatons OF the I've
lawyers engaged very rigid and lengthy, and some
times the counsel had 70 be held to the rules by the
ercise OF tho full authority Of the Committee but the
above is. In few words, abont all that elicitca
really bearing on the yesterday.
The counsel for Mr. Ely asked u tho blank subpcenaa
suggested at the previous meeting by him 70 be placed -
his disposal ready and the Chairman OF the Com
mittoo informed him that the Committee had recon-
sdcred their decision, and decided to subpmna the
witnesses Themselves that Mr. Ely his counsel mighe
Mr.. Ely asked " Mr.. Keum, the ARCHITECT, had re-
ported the number Of pounds Of iron used In the build
Ing Of the Court House.
Mr.. Fox replied that memorandum had been sup
piled 10 him by Mr. Koium, which showed that th0
necessary information this subject could be found -
the Comptrollers once.
The Committee adjourned I'll three O'Clock this AFTER
noon