Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-05-20
THE CASE OF ARCHITECT CLARK.
The Charges Made Against Him.
THE INVESTIGATION BEGUN THIS MORNING AT
THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.

The investigation into the charges made
against Mr.. Edward Clark, the architect of the
Capitol, by the Stonecutters Union and Council
| No. 66 of the knights of Labor, of this city,
alleging, among other things, that the work on
| the new Capitol terrace being done inn
! properly and that the material was poor began
! this morning in the model room of the Patent
office, Interior department building. Major S.
\. Jonas, of the Secretary office who had been
| detailed Tor that purpose by secretary Lamar,
conducted the Investigation. The plaintiffs
were represented by Mr.. n. II. Jackson as coun-
! ent: w. Y. Robinson, Edward Bonell, Charles
! sword and John Lyons. The contractors
Nc; Messis. Middleton, Lane 4 Co.. stonecuttcrS of
| this city, were reDre esented by MessrS Francis
| Miller and r. E. Hay and Mr.. John Lane of the
firm was present. Mr.. Edward Clark was not
| present.
| THE CHARGES MADE BY THE STONECUTTERS
| Major Jonas read the order of the Secretary,
based upon Il recommendation of the President
directing the investigation to be made, aad
then Mr. Jackson read the charges submitted
by a Joint committee of the granite cutters and
! marble cutters OF the District The specific
charges are as follows:
"First. The specifications and plans for the
marble work on the southern approaches and
northern terrace wall of the Capitol call for the
supplying by the contractors OF the best mar
ble-untorm in color and first-claSs workman
ship. The contractors are also required to fur
nish good and responsible security for the full
Second. The marble used on the southern
approaches and northern terrace wall of the
Capitol-now in process o. constructions of
the worst quality lacking in uniformity of
color; while the workmanship is inferior, all of
which is demonstrated by the fact
in its lines, marred with flaws and
! stuns.' which deprives it of strength and robs
1t OF beauty, and surrounds the nat .ons capital
with an architectural nightmare. After barely
year OF existence. this work, which, had the
governments expectations been realized and
its rights respected, should have endured an
hundred years. is already crumbing to its fall.
The system-if it may be so designated-in
vogue with Mr.. Clark as to the manner of secur-
ing contractors bonds is, we have reason to be-
HeNe, reckless and corrupt; and so thoroughly a
matter of tavoritism that reputable and COM
petent contractors openly assert that it is folly
fourishes under the administration of Mr.
Clark These charges Were signed by Edward
Bonell, chairman Thos. J. McNiclile, NJ. II. Nc
Cann, Charles Sword, Thos r. Purcell, w. Y.
Robinson and Fred. Heideneich, secretaries.
THE KNIGHTS OF LABOR CHARGES.
The charges of the executive committee of
District Assembly, No Go, Knights of Labor,
were also read by Mr.. Jackson, and are speci-
fed as follows:
First. That portion of the Interior depart
ment building fronting north and west, known
as the Patent office, was erected under the
supervision'of Mr. Edw'd Clark, architect ofthe
Capitol.
mands the best material and superior work.
manShlp in the construction of its buildings,
Mr.. Clark, in the erection of said Patent office
used poor material and employed inferior
workmanship, resulting in the placing in the
walls of quarry bed marble instead of facing
marble, and the crOWning of the superStructure
with a wooden roof which undoubtedly made
possible, if it did not invite the fire which sub
sequently destroyed the upper story OF the
building, making Il loss to the government,
which became insignificant only when COM
pared with the ruin inflicted on private citi-
zens by the destruction OF thousands of models
and papers there stored away.
- a Of
the roofing of the patsht office, the government
tract with Messrs. Ciuss II Schultz, architects of
this city, to inaugurate the work of placing u
fire-proof iron roof on the Patent office, work
upon which they are still engaged.
Fourth. The building occupied by the govern
ment as printing office. partially erected
under the direction of Mr.. Clark architect of
the Capitol, and which is entirely under the
supervisor of that gentleman, constitutes us
we are prepared to demonstrate in its mani
fold imperfections of architectural design, ma
terial and Workmanship, a daily threat TO the
lives OF thousands of workinginen and women
there employed. as well aS to the safety of the
tons OF public documents for which it is practi
cally Storehouse.
Fifth. Under the administration of the office
OF the architect of the Capitol, government ma
tcrial has time and again been used and gov
ernment labor employed in the erection OF
private residences for officials. whose position
was such as to make the inference reasonable
that they were able TO bring to bear upon the
officer mentioned a pressure which has caused
him to forget his duty to the government and
the people"
These charges were signed by Thos. F. Ryan
r. i. Thomas. Jas. w. COnsidne and w. y.
Robinson, executive committed
THE METHOD OF PROCEDURE.
Upon the conclusion OF the reading of the
above charges Mr. Jackson said that they pro-
posed to substantiate them by the sworn testi-
mony Of men competent to judge, and of the
workmen. Owing to the shortness of the time
| for preparation, they were not prepared to pro-
ceed with the investigation, and would ask for
an adjournment.
| Mr.. HAY said that he and Mr.. Miller repre-
sented the contractors tor the work, and as the
charges preferred against Mr.. Clark involved
| the character OF the work, he supposed that IL
defense of the work would be q defense of Mr.
Clark. However, they did not represent Mr.
! proceed they would consent to an adjourn
ment.
| Were made against Mr. Clark and that they did
not propose to recognize the contractors and
allow Mr.. Clark to shield himself behind them
Major Jonas interposing said that as the testi-
mony proceeded matters might be elected
| which MIR. Clark would like to reply to, but, as
| he understood 1t, defense of the work would
be, in part at least, a defense of Mr.. Clark. He
supposed that the latter would be present dur
ing the Investigation. He would regard the
| contractors as representing Mr.. Clark.
Mr.. jackson said that the responsibility
| rested with MIR. Clark for the manner of the
work done. Ii he had been deceived by the
| contractors that was q matter between Mr..
| Clark and the contractors and did not concern
| the present investigation.
Il.
that the work was tumbling to dust, and they
! proposed to furnish evidence that point.
While, however, they were defending the char
acter of the work they were defending Mr..
| Clark.
Mr.. Miller suggested that they take up first
! the charges made in regard to the work at the
Capitol, and Mr.. jackson agreed to this order of
| procedure.
| Before asking for adjournment Mr.. Jack
| son asked that they be furnished with the
| specifications in the several contracts referred
| to, and Major Jonas said this information
| would be furnished.
| Mr.. Miller said that it was important that the
| authority conducting the investigation should
! be familiar with the locus, ana he suggested
that Major Jonas should go over the ground
| and examine the work.
Major Jonas said that he had watched the
| with it. He did not propose to allow his views
to enter into this investigation, but would pre-
| sent the facts to the Secretary based upon the
| evidence offered.
| 1t was finally decided to adjourn until to-
| morrow and that the session should last from
to o'clock each day.
WITNESSES.
The plaintiffs in the will summon the
| following witnesses: a. b. Mullett John c.
| Morgan, J. b. Middleton, q. A. Craney, Thomas
| Samers, James Mcknight, VIM. Rutherford
| Edward Hart, Gabriel Baerin, j. Webb Rogers,
| j. ID. Buckley, Henry Messer, John Imrie, Rich
ard Cox, Leander Wilson, w. Y. Robinson, Ed
ward Bonell, Fred. Heidenreich, Thomas Pur-
| Charles Sword, Prof. Merrill
| MIR. j. +. Roc kwell, of the Patent Office, has
| been detailed to act as stenographer.
CAUTION TO STEAMBOAT MEN.-COmplaints
| are frequently made about the high rate OF
ha