The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-11-30
PRICE TWO CENTS.
FRAUD IN FOUR CONTRACTS.
MULLETTS COSTLY UNITED STATkz
STRUCTURE IN CHICAGO.
disappearing Architect Potter Arrested %
General Charges OF Completely with seves
Other Persons In an Alleged Conspiracy.

Disappearing Architect Potter Arrested %
General Charges OF Completely with seves
Other Persons In an Alleged Conspiracy.
William A. Potter, ex-Supervlsng Archi-
tect OF the Federal building in Chicago was ar
rested yesterday by Deputy Marshals Strahaa
Of New York and Stilwell OF Chicago on q
charge Of completely in alleged frauds in 1879
in connection with the construction OF ths
building The Indictment alleges that the
following named persons wilfully conspired 70
defraud the United States Government out Of
1850 900 In the stone contracts the saving con-
tracts. tho labor contract. and tho hauling con-
tract: james @. Hill. the present Supervising
Architect; William A. Potter. ex-SupervsiRn
Architect; John NJ. Mculler. stone contractors
A. G. Mills. formerly assistant in the Archi-
tccts office. and aftcrward Mcullcr's confldcn-
tial agent and partner George ]. Reed foro-
man. and Moullcr's assistant In the early days
OF the contract; Edward Burling. cx-Superin-
tendent OF Construction; George g. Prus-
sing. ex-Assistant Superintendent. and Alex
ander G. Wheaton. Stone Inspector
is alleged that in the stone contract thop
got from the United States payment according
TO stock measurement. although the contrad
called for net" measurement. about t25.0W
being taken frauduenty from the Government
that by the manipulation of the saving depart
mentthey got tl25.000 more than they were en-
titled to; and that in the labor contract they gd
1866, 900 by making out bills and receiving pay.
mont for labor never performed. BurlinR ans
Prussing are charged with having certified V
those bills. and II is charged with having paid
ing contract. II Ia alleged. there was an over.
charge OF t50.000 by payments for the sami
from tho cutting yard. two bills we're put in Zoe
II. IL is also alleged that BurlnR and II Ill no.
cepted worthless stone stone Intending to deiraus
| 1879 as the date OF tho commission OF the al.
legged offences. Potter is accused generally onli
| rs one OF the cOnspiratOre. II Is alleged tha
| Mcullcr caused bills to be presented TO the 500
rotary o. the Treasury on tho lOih OF Septem-
| ber, 1876. which were approved by Buriing.
| PrussinR, and Hill. who knew that they weu
Mr. Potter said that he supposed that tho ar.
rest was in accordaace with some plan OF the
prosecuting officers Of the Goyernment to make
| out case. He declared that he had conducted
| the business OF the Office under the same meth
| ODDS rs his predecessor and his successor had
Is ppqt Mr.. Mullctt responsible for those con-
Thcy are Mr.. Mullctts contracts and no.
mine he replied. When | tqSs }SS, charge Ge, l
strued in the interest Of the Government The
contractoIs however. appealed, from my de-
| cision to the Mtorney-General-I believe II was
| Mr.. Pierrep0gt-whQ sustained the contractors
! and oyerruled me. There was no other course,
| then: but to carry out MIR. Mulletts contracts.
Nj; Mullett is not included In this indid-
| No: asked the Marshal how that could be,
| and he said that the statute OF limitations would
let Mr.. Mullett of. That however, cannot be.
] have been informed that Mr.. Nuleu has
been before the Grand Jury In Chicago
and that II Is partly on his testimony
that these prosecutions have been commenced
| am AS certain OF an honorable acquittal IA
that stand here ! am equally certain Of the
innocence Of Mr.. Hill. He was In the ofliC.
with me, and he is pure and honorable man.
What do you think is the motive Of the ar
Ii looks like an attempt to screen tho reallI
guilty men 10y assaing the Innocent"
who made the original charges q
One OF the chief instigators is the Collectol
| Of Customs ut Chicago"
THE same who was prominent In tho ki(
| glove cases p
The same" Mr.. Potter said significantly.
These charges refer 10 atimo after you quit
ted the office OF Supervising Architect p
Yes. | resigned In July. 1876 and this In
diCtment alleges conspiracy in the Septcmhei
| following, when my connection with the oncl
had ceased. The warrant was defective but
would not take advantage Of such technicality
| anticipated some such action from what haC
heard from Chicago, and was prepared U
Mr. Potter Is Of the Potter family Of which
Bishop Potter Howard Potter. ana ClarksoI
y. Potter ara members. He was arrested In hi
Office at SO William street and taken befo:,
Commissioner Osborn. The Hon. CarksOn N
Potter furnished $4,000 bail.