New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-22
ANDREWS ON THE RACK.
Piled WITH SEARCHING QUESTIONS ABOUT
THE ASSEMBLY CEILING.
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS
BEFORE THE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE
-HIs REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION
WITH sUB-CoNTRAcToR

his REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION
WITH A sUB-CoNTRAcToR.
Charles B. Andrews is stili Superintendent of Pub
c Buildings, although the Assembly yesterday asked
Governor Hill LeutenantGovernor Jones and Speaker
Cole, trustees Of the Public Buildings suspend
himD from office. Meanwhile the Assembly has sup
piled the trustees with further interesting testimony
about Mr.. Andrews-testmony generously furnished
by himself This afternoon Mr.. Andrews under
examination by the Committee Appropriations.
Under q severe cross-examination by Assembyman
Gallup, OF the members Of the Ceiling Cons
mittee, Mr.. Andrews stated that Mr. Reade, of Al
bany, had drawn the plans for changes in the ironi
work upholding the Assembly ceiling and that this
Mr.. Reade had previously been in the employ Of
Timothy ]. Sullivan che contractor who supplied thd
ronwork. These changes gave the contractor an ops
portunity to less iron.
The expert commission which reported to tbs
Legislature on Monday night said this point: "Wo
think that at least 10000 should have been deducted
from the contract price for the changes In the IRON
work. the substitution of the present ceiling Of 3oa
panels in place of the original ceiling Of T6S panels
and for other omissions" Yet this not the sole
interesting revelation made. Mr. Gallup went on and
asked Mr.. Andrews whether he had ever had any
business relations with this Timothy J. Sullivan
who was fortunate to have plans for fronwora
changed in his favor.
No, SIR" replied Mr.. Andrews brayely.
him in Albany % inquired Mr. Gallup.
Then Mr.. Andrews did recolect something. "'Oh,
yes,D no said "my wife bought piece Of
property with Mr.. sullivan's wife last August" Mr.
Andrews further said this interesting transaction
with the Sullivan family that the property s,tu-
ated in EagIest opposite the Executive MansIon that
the property was purchased for 906, I'D that his
wife paid Mrs. Sullivan $1,000 for half the property
The money was paid to Mrs. Sullivan In the Andrews
house.
From what bank did your wife get the moneys
asked Mr.. Gallup
From no bank,' answered Mr. Andrews; and
from all the committee could learn further
about the matter, it appeared that Mrs Andrews had
up nearly 900 in her house. reckless of burg
lars "The fact is,' said Mr.. Andrews. that tha
money was part of my salary $500 yearly which
Mrs. Andrews had saved5 The sullivan Andrews lot
was purchased Mr. Andrews testified, while Mr suli+
van was acting as a sub-contractor under him. II
purchased the property" he said TO Mr. Fish, wfth-
out any regard the fact that public official.
If had wished deceive the public about the mater
would have purchased the property in some one eise's
name"
Hee further said that neither hts wife nor himself
had bank account, and that hls wifes secretary In
their house their safe. One thousand dollars OF
the $500 voted him by the Ceiling COMMITTEES
formed part Of the money used In purchasing the lot
Mr. Andrews also stated, in response 70 question of
for the ironwork, had never complained about ths
modification of the plans for that work.
Mr. Ainsworth said that the committee would Ike
a statement from Mr.. snsith Of the names of the
firms from whom he purchased the lumbeL iron1
sta ned glass and other materials used in the con-
struction of the Assembly Chamber. We shall exA
pect him to be ready to make his defence by Tues1
day nexts continued Mr. Aipsworth. and we shall
expect him then to produce all his books bearing
on this matter" Mr. Hale said he would inform
M Snaith, who had gone out Of town. ana mas
his bookkeeper might supply the names OF firms de-
sired by tho committee
Charles B. Andrews, the Superintendent Of Public
Buildings, whose suspension demanded by tho
Assembly yesterday, then sworn. Mr.. An
drews was pale, and looked thin. 1t was apparent
that the affair wearing upon him. At Mr..
Ainsworth's request, he gave history Of his con-
nection with the reconstruction OF the Assembly
ceiling He said:
All last wincy subject Of taking down the stons
ceiling was aQitated therefore made estimates
"a 20 the cost Of taking down the ceiling and putting
an oak one its place. To my estimate added 10 pen
cent for contingencies The Committee Appropriations
granted appropriation asked less the 10 per cents
that IS they gave s271,0oo. While the bill was be-
fore the Legislature had Mr.. James, an architect OF
this city, make drawings to show what sort OF ce'
ing should be constructed On these drawings based tho
estimate which / submitted to the Assembly as TO the
nrobable cost Of the Before the Governor signed
the bill however Mr.. James said 70 me that be did not
care to have charge Of the work Accordingly wrota
to Mr. Rowe architect and asked him TO come sa
Albany and draw up further plans for me. This was
about June 1. The work was going 70 De gigahds
one and knew 1t must be pushed II it was 10 be com-
peted before the Assembly should meet in the following
January. therefore prepared the plans for the work.
and solicited bids before the Ceiling committee met.
Upon June lS when the committee met L had two or
three bids in INV possession The contractors freely
supplied with Specifications Moreover the drawings
were on exhibition and MT Rowe present TO explain
them to the committee.
Assembyman Gallup, one OF its members, insisted
upon bids being solicited the newspapers for week.
1 advertised for bids in 'The Argus" 1.-THE ExpressT
and 1.-THE Journal" Of this city. When we met a week
later 1 had six bids in my possession The work was
given TO John Snaith, the lowest bidder. He pushed
the work with great rapidy. and accomplished IL in an
unprecedentedly quick time.
Mr Greene-when did you become acquainted
with Mr.. Rowef
MI Andrews-About June l. I received letter.
from him in May, asking for employment He came
to Albany, bringing with him letter Of Introduction
from Professor Alton of Cornell University.
Mr. Greene-were you asked about the alternative
clause as TO which was your choice oak papicr
Mr. Andrews-No not particularly. 1 could not teils
because / did not know myself
Mr. Greene-Did you intimate to MI snaith or 70 M
Sullivan that your choice was papef-machet
Mr. Andrews-I did not.
Mr.. Greene-when did you tell Mr.. snaih that you
would lave papiermache panelsi
Mr.. Andrews-Upon July y.
Mr.. Greonc-Why did you use papief-macho spanoreist
Mr. Andrews-Because the contract, in my opinion per,
mItted me papiermache.
Mr.. Greene-Eow about using papier-maehe for bead'
worki
Mr. Andrews-wel that first. was to be carved oak
but thought papier- -maehe would be bandsomeer
Mr.. Greeno-Dd you consult with the Ceiling Commits
tee about these changesi
Mr.. Andrews-I did not
MI Greene--DId you make the monthly statements 70
Controller wempo on which Mr. snah received payment
from the Controller
Mr.. Andrews-Those estimates were prepared oy Mr"
Rowe the architect They merely approximatves
aud therefore reduced them 90 cent and then ceru
ned them
Mr.. Greene-But estimates are excessive. ana
provide for the payment OF ooo whereas the whole
contract provides for the payment Of only s2Tlooo
Mr. ApdrewI the report Of the experts states
that and L do not understand IT,
Mr. Greene-Moreover, you have paid Mr.. snaitn
e4 600 more his due under the clause saying has
20 per cent OF tho payment should be reserved until tho
Anal