New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-06-09
THE INVESTIGATION OF ARCHITECT CLARK
WASTING TIME.

rvnoy TIE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIDUSB.l
WASHINGTON June S.--As fair an example
ne any that might be given OF the loose and irrational
manner in which business is done at the Interior Depart
men the socalled investigation OF Architect clark
1t been dragging for several weeks anu the
end is not yet. The time OF Mt Jonas private secre!
10 Assistant Secretary Mqdrow. is taken up IN listening
to testimony, day after day. which throws no ne" hsh'
on the subject under investigation aud which appai-
emily, serves other purpose than that OF ming Tue
pockets OF lawyer who poses as the champion Vi !"
Workingmen's Union. The whole trouble grew out VI
the fact that Architect OF the Capitol ms eau Vi
employing stone and marble cutters on the new caption
Terrace by the day. followed the directions OF the Ton
gressiona Committee having the matter in charge ana
had the work done by contract. This done In the
regular way by advertising for bids ana awarding te
contract to the lowest bidders 1t is obvious that inc
work could be done CHEAPER by contract than by uS
work. In doing this however. Mr. Clark incurred 'pe
enmity OF the stone There exists In Washington
a stonecut,crs' Union which, like many other WORKING
mems associations is imposed upon and led by dea
gogues for their own private profit and emoiumeht'
This Stonecutters Union was induced by Dehocia''o
politician who wanted Mr. Clarks place to Ireier
charges against the Architect OF the CAPITOL Inc
charges formulated and submitted to the freSlneh
referred the Secretary OF the Interior VINO ID
his tura sent the papers to Assistant Secretary Mudrow
who appointed Mr. Jonas to hear testimony summon
witnesses and report facts to him for recommendation
The charges in effect were that the marble employed
in the construction OF the Terrace was detective spoe
of uneven quality and inferior to that called Tor III INC
specifications that the work done careiessy; tha
the lines the wall out Of plumb and that u was
already before being completed, crumblng to pieces
The witnesses called substanate these charges Tor
the most part members of the union, DISCHARGED
by their employers for ncompetency or bad habs ohe
man he could defects in the wall from the
Baltimore and Ohio Depot physical impossiby since
| hill hotv he
Another man had ~ confess that he worked only teen
days out OF every month"; and when pressed TO state MS
for such deness refused to give an
everybody in the room knew would nave compromises
HIM given truthfuy. Most OF the testimony offered by
the witnesses the union conflicting In character
II showed that in several instances at least 1t was the
result OF pressure brought upon the witnesses by
| the leaders in the union.
OPP osed the testimony OF these witnesses was mat
OF men like Colonel Casey the engineer IN charge oil the
Washington Monument; General Meigs the architect IN
charge OF the new Pension Building; MI. Wa,er' the
! former architect Of the Capitol whom Mr. Clark SUE
cerded; Mr. Olmsted. the landscape architect VINO ws
charge of the work done In Central PARK IN New tUik
and indeed in almost every other puzzle park W ln
they testified 10 the satisfactory character OF the No
| done. Colonel Casey showed that the marble ebpo!cu
in the Terrace better than that used IN the mohh-
ment MIR. Walter declared the workmanship superior
Mr. Olmsted said that he could not nave neSIea a
dumfou nded Mr.. Jackson. the lawyer Tor tae uhIon
who began to cross-eXauine these men as II he were
engaged IN me Gohgt.ai lasa VI Nh 0i,ea that hi
compensation consulting architect al his own request
! had been down the work was nearing completion
from $1,000 TO $500 year, staggered MI jackson h
his friends. They had not imagined such treatment oI
| the Government possible. Yet, Notwithstanding the
character of this testimony and the evident almus
which controls the action OF the union the secretary OF
the interior sits serenely by and permits these arelc
proceedings on al the expense OF the GoVerhhrnt
in time and money at great personal sacflhce ID money
TO Mr.. Clark and the contractors who nave TO employ
counsel to meet these itrumped mp charges and apar
emily with the object only OF gratifying the rlle anu
OF "A
/ men.
| The lawyer employed by the union Of course sees
bnly picklngs for himself In the proceedings, ana tue
longer they last the better Is he satisfied. Already he J..
reported threatening to proong the investigation
| until November
Secretary Lamars inaction in the matter Is meeting
| with severe criticism.