Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-03-11
The Seneca Stone investigated.
OF sUPERvIsINe ARCHITECT
MULLETT.


MULLETT.
This mt IN n the House Committee on Public
Buildings and Grounds commenced their inves-
hgation under q resolution Of the House direct
ing them to inquire why Seneca stone had been
used In the new State Department building by
the supervising architect, Mr.. A. b. Mullett,
against the directions of the committee; and
cracked by the frost.
MIR. A. b. Mullett was sworn, and WAS exam
med at considerable length. He testified thai
Seneca stone was used only in the partition
walls OF the basement, when blue stone could
not be used; that the foundation was of con-
crete; that the limestone of Harper's Ferry was
unht for the work, the specimen submitted to
witness being exceedingly hard and full OF II ac-
lures That he was guided in making the change
by dollars and cents; that there remains now
out few yards to deliver, and the cost of the
whoie quantity Of Seneca stone used will not be
above S6,eo0, which will be
SAVING TO THE GOVERNMENT OF NEARLY
2400G.
Witness had not heard of apy of the stone in the
Duiiung being cracked; there might be some
ahseasoned stone on the wharves damaged, out
ne mao not seen any oft. He also testified as to
,he Portland and Richmond granite used in the
bull DING, stating that the stone is cut at the
quarries, and the government pays the con-
tractors for cutting, boxing and shipping 10 per
cent. on the amount expended, the time being
kept by government superintendent; under
TINS systom the government secures the grade of
work needed, and gets 1t delivered fast or slow
M tuis Id per cent. WAS as low as thew
conid get contractors to work, ald in fact the
contractors for the New York and Boston
buildings will not duplicate their contracts
Inc men work 10 hours per day, except in
winter.
Mr.. Mullettwas asked if a man could perform
AS MICH WORK IN EIGHT HOURS AS TIN,
ana answered by asking, could any one Of the
committee do as much in eight As ten hours? 1t
was utterly absurd.
ByMr. Getz:-Seneca was used as a m after OF
economy only; witness had no interest in the
seneca quarries, and his relations with that
company were anything but agreeable; he could
not say how Vandenberg could offer to furnish
seneca stone eighty cents less than the Seneca
company offered il; the
WEATHER HAD NOT AFFECTED THE WALLS
anu ne did not know of block OF Seneca being
cracked in the building As to the relative value
OF the stone, he would not give a cents differ
ence between Seneca and granite. On the
ashinRtOn aqueduct were some houses and
bridges constructed Of Seneca stone; it had been
found durable by the engineer department.. All
Ihls investigation was started by Mr.. Adams.
became he (Mr. NJ would not use his miserable
hafper's Ferry stone.
only one who had spoken of Seneca stone in the
building, and denied that Adams had started il
as far as he was concerned.
MIR. Mullett continued stating that he believed
that dams was
AT THE BOTTOM OF ALL THE TALK
against it, and referred to Adams having pub
lished letter in the Sunday Herald some time
since. The Seneca stone had been used in the
Chesapeake and Ohio canal and its durability
was remarkable. The Seneca quarry was not
worked when the Treasury extension was being
erected. He had been told that it was at first
proposed to build the Insane Asylum OF it, but
the stone could not then be had. The SmithsOn-
ian built of il, and there had stood the test
of fire. 1t had been tested by Prof. Henry and
others of the institution. He had never stated
that he would not use IL. Adjourned.