New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-04-18
QUESTIONING Mr.. DUDLEY.
rHr RI-IInING nrpARTMENT INQUIRY.


SEPARATE EXAMINATIONS FOR DEFENDANTs-THE
SYSTEM OF NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. TO
QUESTIONS.
On the first dav of the investigation of the
Building Department Superintendent Dudley
was the only witness, and the questions were
almost exclusively IN regard to one of his APP
Monuments. Many objections were made by
Mr.. Dudley's counsel and the progress of the
inquiry was slow. There is to be separate
investigation in the case of each of the ac-
cused persons.
THE SUPERINTENDENT ON THE STAND.
The examination ofthe charges preferred against
Henry j. Dudley Superintendent of Buildings and
his assistants, robert McGnniss, acting deputy ;
Andrew Owens. Chief Of the Bureau of Violations
and Applications Charles X. HYDE, Chief of the
Bureau of Inspections and Fire Escapes; and
Samuel T. Webster. Chief Clerk Of the Department
Of Buildings, was begun yesterday morning before
Judge Barrett, in Supreme Court, Chambers. The
real complainants in the case Hardenburg Taman,a
builder,and ex-Superintendent j. NJ McGregor.were
early in court and were represented by General
John COchrane, ex-RecOrdeT Smith, ;. NJ OstrandeI
and c. I. Polhemus counsel. Mr.. Dudley was
rerresented by A. j. Vanderpoe II. ID. Hatch and
John A. Foley, counsel for the department. The
other defendants were in court, each with separate
specifications of bribery, incOmpetency and mall
feasance i'm Office. Michael Brennan. Henry McGur-
KIN and Edward Purcell were present. Among the
spectators were James L. Morrison, private secTe-
tary TO MAYOR Cooper ex-Aldeman Adams, OF the
Mechanics and Builders Exchange and several
discharged employees of the Department of Build
ings.
Mr. Vanderpoel said that Mr.. Dudley was ready
te 20 on with the examination. He desired to cailthe
attention of the court to the fact that the law pro-
yided that there should be separate examination
for each defendant while the order for appearance
contemplated connecting them all III one general
examination This would virtually stop the busl-
ness of the BUILDING Department. as the order also
REQUIRED each of them to bring all the books and
records pertaining 10 bis Office. HIS only desire
was that the examination should be so conducted
as 10 avoid delay and trouble. The charter pro-
NIded. lie claimed, that the examination shOuid ne
confined 10 such business the head OF tie de-
partmcnt had knowledge or information about
lie asked for separate examination OF Mr. Dudley,
who ready 10 90 at once. .
General COchrane stated that ne had no objection
10 tins course While he agreed with the general
tenor of Mr.. NandcrpocPs remarks, he urged that
the community of taXpaylug citizens had nights as
well as the defendants.
INDIE Barrett-rhere can he no doubt that each
defendant is entitled TO a separate examinations
aud that should be completed before another Is
taken UP, and II must be so conducted IN Chambers.
The cases must be treated as If 50 many separate
orders had been granted. If Mr.. Dudley is eX-
amned inst, the cases Of the others must be post
Al the suggestion of Mr. Ostrander, the Judge APP
pointed Tuesday. at 1880 a. ~, Tor the eNanlha-
ton of the other defendants. -,
supreme Court, General Term, room Henry -
DUDLEY, in answer 10 questions SAID: am thi!ty,
seven years old, an architect by profession, ana
reside at No. oil West lwenty-fttn-st was born
in England and came TO tins country with my
parents about thrty-thTee years ago. Ny father
was uaturallzed. | am now Superintendent OF
bindings having been appointed ON December
~ {l.F,r hot | yvts fNr-su d.
ent, having been appointed by Walter W. Adams
III June. 1873"
Mr.. Dudley was then asked if he received a cert-
fcate OF appointment and If he filed an oath OF
office. Mr.. Vauderpoel objected remarkiug that he
proposed to have end to this case IN the course
Mr. Dudley answered that he took and filed the
oath of office on December Is, 1878.
When he was questioned as to what changes II
any ne had made i'm the the department since Jan
nary / Mr.. NaudcTpOe raised the objection that
this not set forth in the specific charges ana
could not be inquired into. Turning TO Mr.. Ostran-
der he said " NOu certainly did not prepare these
questions. You have had some layman TO do 1t. as
no lawyer would have done So"
General COchrane asked If the defendants conn
EeprOposed to object 10 questions on all matters not
embraced IN the allegations
Mr. NandeTpOe-1es; and yOu are limited by
the charter 10 the sworn charges in the petition.
Before coming 10 these questionable matters, II !
would be better 10 60 through those contained III
the charges.
Mir Dudley, in response to other questions, SAID
81 anpointed John McCarty am inspector on Jan
nary ., 1879. and ne was either practical aTchl-
tecf, a house carpenter or mason, and he hled an
affidavit to that effect in the Othce."
Mr. NauderpOcl entered another objection, when
G.. I. POhemus of counsel, Jumped To his feet ana
in an excited manner sad, We want 10 ma out
all that this fellow knows"
Mr. Vanderpoel intimated that the other side
could have tho exclusive honor OF mduIgng III
abuse, when Mir. POhemus said Il should have
said this gentleman, and take back the expression
OF fellow"
TO settle the disposition of objections il was
agreed bv counsel on bO.h sides that all questions
as 10 qualification and fitness to which objections
were made, should be entered by the StenOgTapner,
marked reserved, ami be submitted to the court Tor
q decision.
Mir Dudev-Mr. McCarty passed no examination
md received no certificate before appointed him.
There were more objections To certain questions,
when Mr. Ostrauder said, 1--WE claim that there are
some twelve or fourteen employees appointed rTcg-
ulariy and they all involved i'll the questions III
dispute
Mr. Hatch-Fully seventeen of the twenty-seven
lev Go on with some of those. We don't want
This examination 10 dag along for nineteen days.
Nh. OstraudCr-Ihcse preliminary questions al
feet all the other departments, and we want TO
settle them once for ali.
MIR Foley axe up the twenty seventh charge
and ask about the Derqulsites and brides.
Mr.. POIhcmUS- We want TO know II he can
legally appoint a cobbler tailor as an inspector
of buildings. 1900 :, ,
Mr. Vandcrpoel-We would like to call the com
claimants and see how much they know about IT.
AT the suggestion Of General COchTane. 1t was
agreed that the questions and objections should be
submitted 10 Judge Barrett at p. III. to-day, ana
that the examination of Mr.. Dudley should be re-
sumed a half hour later.
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4 STROLL ACRCSS THE BRIDGE.