New-York tribune., 1871-09-14
THE FRAUDS IN THE BUILDING DEPART
MENT

MENT.
Rx-JUDGE TAPPAN's CHARGES AGAINST MR.. MAC
aREGoR-A DEFENSE By THE sUPERINTEND-
ENT.
Rumors of fraudulent doings in connection
with this Department have been CURE ut for time
and various alleged misdemeanors Of Its officers,
especially 81 relating to iron work, have been
thoroughly discussed In The TRIBUNE. The afadavits
e1-Judge Tappan before Judge Barnard on Tuesday,
which were alluded to In yesterdays paper c"oborste
the criticisms made upen that Department, and point
out st other apparently nefarous doings Judge Tap
pan says that no is the owner Of two houses in Fifty
seventht in Of construction, and that he s
informed Of the following facts which he considers
good evidence that Superintendent Macgregor is guilty
of alfeasance In office few months ago the superin'
tendent tolerated the construction Of ra brick piano
factory many stories hgh which fell to the ground BE-
fore 1t completed, and carried death 70 amy Nv
ing on the adjoining premises.
He has tolerated the erection OF wooden buildings
within the fire limits in defiance Of the law. At this
day party walls only inches thick process OF
ton In many buildings just started In this city anu a.
most all the dwelling houses now constructing have
but l2nch party walls from cellar TO garrett Although
the officials pretend that this 10 not allowed except In
where the plans were out before the act OF S was
passed. the truth is says Mr. Tappan, that there are
cases where the lots have been bought and buildings
started by long after the passage Of the act
One Of the persons connected with the department on
receiving lately for passing through certain pians
asked for q box Of cigars, "because It was done 90
cheap" man named Murray having an ONCE In Pine
st., Ia said to be full Of business connected with
the Department and yielding large returns
in tho matter OF penalties" exemptions
and "deviations Again. 1t Is stated
that in consequence Of the peculiar provisions OF the
s1s section the Building law which authorizes all
manner Of exemptions and dCviatons, this law Is not
law for favortes who poor materials and illegal
hopaa huild
secuted with charges Of violations Of law until they pay
large sums to tho blackmsers 1t is alleged further,
that the Superintendent is permitting Pinch party walls
q rule, and not an exception. In most buildingsl
The Supreme Court, by order Of Aug. ST. granted Tap
pans application to put Pinch walls on the third ana
fourth Of his buildings but the Superintendent
refuses to certificate therefor. II leinch walls
are insisted on all the way up, there will not be brick
enough to finish the houses now building in this city,
four inches space will be lost and the extra expense will
come upon poor tenants Experts inform the Judge that
such thick walls waste, and that there not 10
inch party wall in his neighborhood
To these accusations Mr. Macgregor makes the follow
ing reply:
DEpARrMEsr OF BUILDINGS, No; FoURrH-AvE.
~ s,1s Of ns aH mornns YOU give the pro-
ceednes had yesterday before Justice Barnard in the
The The facts "a. sin in the case are as follows:
On the 18th day Of June. 1871, plans were submitted
Fifty eyenth-st, Tappon. In the plans sub
se Ss5s
as being in accordance with law When the buildings %
mp %s d sss
to permit him to build the party walls from the second
1SAsi on s s @
the party walls TO be 1e inches 10 thickness Judge Tap
IN the plans, and. why / could mot join in .
Mr. Dollinger called again in few days and showed me
what he claimed to be order from Judge Sutherland
inch walls to be erected order left served
Deen To-
certificate and not competing me to DO It, for the lax
in letter or spirit However certificate wds issued
the law required and as Mr. Dolinger commenced to
commenced proceedings epjOin him and the owner.
Orders were granted and served. The one on Mp. Dol
TaPpan set aside and further order was pro-
hbing from prosecuting Judge Tsppan, his builders
%s SF anoer Directing me to to
o s% Soss
AI protest against IT as unwarranted by law
creased This met the approval Of the Board Of Fire
Underwriters and all frsclass architects, and was jus:
nss
the Of @ and not then and TnsTe COW
OF the
ton Of buildings under the old law There was no
OF %sis f nOn nor Was Il ever claimed that bOnser
na
with the laws Of is could not consistently % n make axe a., an
statement and history Of the case.
In regard the Mr. Murray mentioned In the afd avit
Of Mr. extOn have only to say that dc not know
the gentleman, never having met him to my knowledge
have no connection relations with him of any kind
manner, description whatsoever. make charges
for the issuance Of any certificate permit, or anything
else and Mr. Sexton has been induced to think he
has been msled. and whatever money he has paid Mr.
Murray must have been for professional services Of
which know nothing. Mr.. Bexton has been In my
office and at my house several occasions since the
currence referred TO, and has made mention Of 1t
to
AS myself am not TO be driven from faithful and
just discharge Of my official duties superintendent Of
Buildings by any insinuatons or threats: II am guilty
OF any acc unbecOming officer Of the City Govern
ment, there is o tribunal before which be speedily
brought for trial. prepared to meet chaI at
and without delay. challenge the most thorough
investigation. JAMES NJ. MACGREGOR,
Supt. Of Buildings.
TAMMANY LYRICS.
10 CONNOLLY.
It's /" too thin," Dick; you've got to CO.