New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-24
PROBING THE JOBBERY.
BAD WORK ON THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
EDUCATION. COMMISSIONERS, CONTINUE THEIR
.rrn ~

lNNEST1GATlON. 90.
The Committee on Buildings of the Board of Edu-
cation, which has been investigating the alleged
frauds in the Department OF Building. held another
meeting last evening Robert Maclay acted chair
man. Mr.. Maray, however has not yet consented 10
act as permanent chairman OF the committee. fresi
dent Hunt, was expected, has found conslderao'e
difficulty in perssdng any member TO accept the paoo
Owing to the investigation In progress ana 10 DC
prosecuted. the chairman Will have 10 de"o'o
much time to the work OF the committee Few Oh
the members think that they afford to make the
sacrifice OF time. IL is generally believed however,
that Mr. Maclay will be prevailed upon to take up inc
work.
The committee last evening continued the examina-
ton OF the specifications of the various buildings ereceo
anring the last SIX years, to see what de1auonS'
any, were made from them in the construction Several
contractors appeared before the committee iof eAanh
nation. Their evidence upon the whole, was Oh 1he
same nature as that OF Other contractors VINO have been
examined They declined TO accept the responsibility
for any devlations.
Among the witnesses was Mr. Kelly who acted as
an Inspector for time during the construction Oh
Grammar school No. 80, at One-hundred -andthirS-
fourthst. and Lexington-ave. He was removed a.
already reported in The Tribune by recommendation OF
Eeorce W. Debevose disappointment OF School Build
ipgs because of an alteration with the contractor
Mr.. Kelly reported at the time that the contractor
was not doing his duty After his removal the records
81 Board that no more trouble
Kelly In his report submitted to the committee says
that tie specifications for Grammar School No. 80
called for an "ouginal foundation" but that the
specifications In this regard not carried out lie
also says that the walls, instead OF being solid stone
nine inches thick had only about five inches oil stone
while the remaining parts OF the walls were DICK
This was the school, II must be remembered, In Which
81 200 allowed to the Board for certain changes In
the specifications as 10 the stone Mr.. Kelly did not
think that the oe ntractor had difficult piece OF work.
The investigation Cd the school at Broome and Ridge
sts will also be continued. 1t Is alleged that the
specifications that school called for apartments for
the janor although there such apartments, II
Is said In the building.
The committee Of experts to examine all the build
inas thoroughly has not yet been appointed. Pres
cent Hunt said Last eveCng that he had also found
Ii hard TO induce to accept appointment on that
committee, as they did not wish to be mixed up III
any lob Several men whom he had asked to serve
on the committee had absolutely refused to do So
He hoped to have architects and engineers among the
humber, as they alone could make proper exaIninar
ton. - -, 49,
Controller Myers has announced that his depart
ment will make separate investigation, lndependcnt
OF the Board OF Education, of the alleged fraud lie
saws that he win make no more payments 10 con-
tractors engaged in the erection OF the buildings unu
tie investigation IS completed.