New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-11
ARCHITECT FRERET'S LAME EXCUSES.
THE INVESTIGATION FAIRLY UNDER Way
ASSISTANT SECRETARY MAYNARD ACTS


ASSISTANT SECRETARY MAYNARD ACTS
AS COUNSEL
Washington, Jan. 10 (specia.l.--Tbe subcommittee
of the senate which has undertaken to investigate
the management Of the cfiico OF the Supervising
Architect Of the Treasury continued the examination
of Dir. Freret to-day. Mr.. Freret punctuatei his
explanations with such PROPULSION Of big. big DIS,
that Senator Morrill, was led to ask in his mild and
fnoffensive way. after the adjournment of the CON-
mltee, whether Mr. Freret expressed himself in as
forcibe language IN tho Office of Supervising Architect
vs. he had done before the committee: to which the
witness replied that the newspapers hal given him
the rcpufston of swearing great deal he nafahf
IS well deserve It. The testimony taken to-day cofrob-
GRATED tho charges that have been made against
Frerets management Of the Office. Senator spooner
went after the witness with q sharp stick from the
time that the inquiry opened Assistant SECRETARY
Maynard was present to help Mr. Ereret and there
was clerk On hand with a roll Of documents and
papers, but at the hearing last Monday most OF the
papers that the committee wanted were not produced
In response to repeated inquiries by Senator spooner
and Senator Morrill, Mr.. Freret gave history OF the
employment Of outside architects to prepare plans for
public buildings. He said that when he came into
once he found that employment was being given 10
architects and draughtsmen at the localities where
buildings were being constructed and that about 300
day was being paid TO these men. This money
came out Of the appropriated for the buildings
ana not out OF the money appropriated for the Office
Of Supervising Architect. He read paper giving the
prices paid for work at these different places At
BROOKLYN they were paying $23 day, at Pittsburg
e13 day, at Galveston s12 a day aud at Richmond
Va, "a day. All Of these expenditure he said he
had cut on and 10 his extent be had reformed the
ofico When the examination had proceeded little
further Senator Spooner took these cases and showed
that they were not In any way preccdents for the rre
ularty Of which he was accusedettng out contracts
to Washington architects and draughtsmen without
competition and without advertising them. Senator
spooner called bis attention 70 this fact and he ad-
mitted It,
In regard to the reform which he claimed to have
brought about In causing the work to be done here
instead OF at the place where the public building was
to DO constructed, Senator Spooner asked of what
advantage he found no found the now order of things
The reply was, that the plans had TO be submitted
to him before they were approved and adopted, It
caused delay to have them prepared at distance from
this city. Senator spooner then wanted to know in
What form they submitted to the Supervising
Architect now and Mr.. Freret, being anxious show
that there was great saving of time said that he had
pencil drawings shown to him. and he frequently re-
turned them two or three times as unsatisfactory.
Then tho plan is practically your plan is 1t not 2"
asked Senator Spooner.
Yes, undoubtedly the reply.
of what advantage is 1t, II you practically make
these plans" said Senator spooner that they should
be let by contract to architectsgs IN.
To this question Mr. Freret made the astounding
ropy that be could get the plans cheaper by having
uicm done outside. This statement appeared all the
more astounding when he admitted little later, In
answer TO pointed question Of Senator spooner that
ne knew that when be let out these contracts he was
ictDg them In form only 20 the otsde architect and
mat the work on them was TO be done by employees OF
his own once out Of Office hours He said that when
ever ne wanted sot Of plans prepared he called I'm
Ms cnic1 drauehSman Mr.. Van Eerta and told min
what he wanted and Mr. Van Nerta went out and got
some one 70 90 IT, There were never two bidders Tor
tho same work He knew thai SIR Van Neqfa did
work for these architects who prepared the plans
.d MI spcohes asked whether Il was understood when
gave Thorn out, 10 be employed by the architect
whom he favored IN dispensing the favors OF the office
MISS CARRoLLS SERVICES TO THE UNION.
Washington, Jan 10-A bill introduced to-day by
Senator Henderson proposes to pay 10000 ia full
settlement Of the claim Of Miss Anna Ella Carroll
against Tho United States for services In furnishing
valuable information 10 the War Department during
the rebellion and preparing certain publications In aid
Ct the Union during the same period under an
understanding with the War Department Miss
Carroll Is the daughter Of Governor Carroll % Msry-
,sno and i Is said In her behalf that number Of
efsy articles prepared by her under agreement with
tne War Department had great influence In holding
tne people Of Maryland true 10 the Union II Is
2 feet Of gunboats sailed up the tennessee River
sor the purpose Of dividing tho .onfcderacy In two
THE TARIFF BILL IN THE SENATE.
washington, Jan. 10--ln the Senate to-day con-
sideration Of tho Tariff bill was resumed at Paragraph
a. taxing leather not specially enumerated or pro
vhsd for 10 per eent ad yalorem. No amendment
IVES offered
During temporary suspension Of the Tariff bill,
e'oution was offered by Mr.. Hoar snd referred 10
sno committee on Contingent Expenses, insfructing
No committee on Commerce when the River and Han.