National Republican., 1883-06-04
Mr.. Murch has received the following letter
with inclosure:

CRANE BRorHEHs MANUFACTURING CoMpANY
Nav Ss is3mT,ta III Hon TToMpSoN n aTReT
c. Washington. II. Dear SIR: am pleased to
see that you arc taking active steps to investigate
the charges axdiust Government Architect Hin In
regard TO alleged malfsasanco Of office In letting
contracts aud various other Irregularities con-
neo,ed With his Official position.
for a iOni time past and as can only speak In a
spint OF sOmmendauon Of the efforts which you
seeminsly are making toward having thorough
aill trust you will continue to persist in good
work until you shall have reached the bottom of
what appears 10 have been the inlquitious pro-
ceedings connected with the administration of
his office for some time past.
For so doing believe that you will receive the
commendation of all well meaning men who are
cognizant Of the fact that this investigation Is
taking place, as many who have heretofore en-
deayored TO do business with the department
have been treated i'll the Same manner as our
selves.
Ibeg also TO inclose herewith copy OF letter sent
the Hon Charles ]. Folger, secretary of the treas
ury of date seventeenth Of April last, which will
give you some idea In a general way OF the
treatment we have received at the hands Of the
Trusting that this will be some use and service,
I remain youHtruly, r. T. CRANE, President.
The following is copy of the letter from
Crane Brothers to Secretary Folger, referred
to in the preceding communication
CHICAGO, April II, lSS3-Hon c. J. BoLoER Sec
retary of the Treasury-Dedr Sir; In the spring of
1873 this company, among Others. made a bid for
the elevators for the custom house and postofcc
in Chicago but, through the error of the superin-
dent in char,e here, Our bid was made for steam
elevators whilo the government adopted hydraulic
elevators, for which we had not made bid.
The matter was then brought TO the attention of
the Hon Secretary Sherman, who ordered an In
yestigation, aud who stated upon tho REPORT
made, that but for the fact that he had promised
to have The court room ready for occupancy At a
certain time he would cause the whole matter TO
be reOpeued and new bids TO be made.
We charge that Sir. Hill, the government arr
chilect made Misrepresentation TO Secretary Suer-
man In regard 10 the del that would be odea.
stoned by having new bias made; and that, ia
place for many months subsequent to the qme
In the opinion passed upon the report by seere-
tary Sherman, he stated that, "but for the delay
In this case serious one--l would set aside the
award"
Further assurances were given this COMPANY
that fir any future wants by the government OF
elevators full and fair opportunity should be
afforded us TO compete for such work, Since
that date (lS70) we have had no advice or oppor-
department, although we are advised that large
number of elevators have been contracted for for
that department
Having thus briefly called your attention to this
matter, we would next respectfully ask that you
cause an investigation to be made showing how
many elevators had been contrated for since those
for the custom house in Chicago in 1879? Where
erected and by whOm2 And what competition, If
any, was invited or allowed under direction or
control OF Architect Hill This company is very
large builder Of the various forms of elevators both
steam aud hydraulic and feel that a great in-
justice has been done us In not giving us an op-
portuuity 70 compete for such elevators as have
been oOntgacte for since those cited above Yours
very respectfully, X. 4. CRANE, President
The School OF ElooutIOn.