New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-11-10
MACGREGOR's MISDEEDs.

A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION DEMANDED.
SYNOPSIS OF THE CHARGES AGAINST THE BUILD
ING DEPARTMENT-THE IRON INSPECTION
FRAUDS HOW EX-JUDGB TAPPEN WAS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS HOUSES MULCrED
CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE FOR THE BUILDERS
COMMITTEE.
The disaster in Tenth-ave. on Tuesday by
which 50 nremen and policemen while endeavorng to
save burning piano factory from destruction,
overwhelmed by treacherous "paper walls" which had
been "duy inspected and erected In strict accordance
with law" not only cheap builders and reckless
propretOrs Of the peril Of thin walls but also directs
renewed attention to the gross Encouragement
Of the Building Department. and the Official INSIDE
meanors with which Its Superintendent has
been charged The calamity occurred within short dis
lance Of the sx-stNry building which was blown down
year ago. causing the loss Of several lives and by sim
guar coincidence the factory owned by the same pro-
prietor and was erected by the builders There
seems TO be little doubt that both buildings were made
Quatey supported by walls totally out OF proportion to
their hight and investigation will probably show that In
this previous instance the structure had been
approved by the Superintendent Of Buildings and con-
ructod under the supervision Of Of the inspectors
connected with his Department
While, however, this casualty opens new field for
investigation, the blackmailing operations with which
the officers OF the Department have been charged de-
mand thorough investigation than they have yet
ton OF Matthew Burns persists in maintaining that
serious charges been brought against the Building
Department the suoned digest Of the published accu
sAtions has been prepared. Any who reads these
statements, and compares them with the full reports
given Of the recent meetings Of what has been Justly
termed the withdrawing Builders Committee" at
which they pretended consider all the charges against
MacHeGOr will BIO profoundly impressed with the neces-
sty OF genuine investigation In the interests Of
the hlackmaed builders. This condensed synopsis Of
the charges and allegations lie published with the hope
that it VIII shame either the builders the municipal
authorities into institutinS thorough and impartial
inquiry into the matter.
MAcGREooR's IRON INSPECTOR.
The investigation Of the Department began with an ar
ticle in THE TRIBUNE Of August 81 entitled "Tammanys
Latest job" which opposed the plan adopted for testing
iron Orders The principal charges against the Depart
ment and its Superintendent, James M. Macgregor in
that article appended. The new law requires that
every column beam, Intel and girder intended to
span opening eight feet in diameter shall be
tested by actual pressure in the Of the IN
spectOr, and MacRregor has appointed as iron
inspector his TammAny colabOrer, Peter H. Jack
son, Of the 6rm of J. l. Jackson Brother
who manufacture Just such ron-wOrk Jackson is ap
pointed test He is. therefore, sitting in Judgment
upon his mpetitors business and the rOnfounders
Directing most decidedly to Ubiquitous an arrange
ment have formed association for mutual protection
The law designed partly to drive the small founder
OF the business, partly Iurnlsh
with opportunities for plumber. man named Arm
strong MacEregors chief confederate, boasts that
be furnished the money which procured the passage OF
abl in May 1865, which prepared the way for the ap
pointment of MacRregor. Macgesor had told Jackson
that the latter had "a good thing" and jackson, &C
knOwledgng the fact claimed that "havng worked hard
all his life without making anything. he wanted TO be-
gn." Jackson repeated this language to two fOundery
men, telling one Of them that " he believed that he had
got hold OF something by which he could make for
tune" And, In Conclusion, Macgregor and his cOnfed
crates purposngt organize Joint stock company
do all the work Of the city, All the persons who
thOrEed these THE TRIBUNE be found,
and their sworn testimony easily be obtained.
The next evidence IN this matter statement pub
ished in The Brooklyn CE. d. Times Sept Q, to the
eject that Peter Tostevin builder assaulted in the
Office Of the Building Department by MacgreGOr and his
subordnates for asking why citizens compelled to
pay from us to $780, and in some cases. even $780, for the
privilege Of building tenement houses.
BIACKMAILINa OPERATIONS EXPOSED.
Judge Barnard dissolved injunction on Sept 70,
which had been obtained at the instance Of the supern
tendent to prevent ex-Judge Tsppen from completing
two houses on Fiftyseventhst The affidavit Of John
Sexton builder in this case, states that he applied for
permission add two stories to a building, but was
refused Armstrong the Deputy superintendent direct
ing him to 60 to Robert Murray, a lawyer, TO obtain
permit from the Court. Murray asked $500 for
his services which Mr., Sexton asserted not
worth t2S. Murray then admitted that he did not get
all the money but obliged to divide it among the
Judges Mr. Sexton paid him $3.50 by check, and soon
after obtained the papers. The application itself was
proper one and should have been granted without In
curing any expense The affidavit OF ex-Judge Tappen
states that the Superintendent has wickedly and
tonly pursued him and the his employ by insti-
tutng number Of actions IN different courts, although
no Ia building strict accordance with the law and the
order Of the Court The deponent claims that he is
sstng attacks Of the Superintendent principle,
ia currently reported that various attaches Of the
Building Department and others obtain large sums Of
money from builders and for obtaining eXemp-
tons and certificates and for the settlement Of frivolous
suits. In another affidavit ex-Judge Tsppen said:
"To show the manner in which Mscgregor prostitutes
high Office and to show why he should no longer be
made. and will be Immediately communicated 10 his
Honor the Mayor: few months ago the spperintend-
tory many stories high which fell TO the ground before
in the adjoining premises He has tolerated the erection
OF wooden buildings within the fire limits in defiance Of
ts being ' pSt da Sg buildings Just started
in city and almost all the new dwellingbouses now
constructing have only twelvenGn party walls rom
though he unblushingly denies the allegations He pre-
tends thai in few suS SUrs s ARE s G s
passed, when, as matter OF fact: the lots have
tS S Sas Of SnI he St In consequence Of
this peculiar proviso authorizing all manner OF exemp
tons deviatons this remarkable law is not law to
favorites who make their price, but law to all other
persona And some builders who mean to build Of poor
material are voluntarily of large profit to the
TONS while large and respectable class OF good build
eTs and ownersosome Of the best in the cty-are
annoyed and perseCuted until they also compelled to
make their peace, and pay out money In other ways
which they would eIpend on cOnstrucuon.'
JUDGE BARNARD DEEoUECEs MACGREGOR
After examining these af1dsvts, Judge Barnard said
with great eArnestnesS:
now Vacate that injunction, obtained pdrte
statement and am sstis6ed By fraud in those en-;