The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-07
ROW At THE CAPITOL,
Gubernatorial Ire Falls
Upon Expert Dona-
hue'S Head.
HIGH-PRICED SERVICES.
One Thousand Dollars Demanded
for Work Upon the Ferry
Foundation.
COMPLETED IN FOUR DAYS.
Governor Budd Angered at the Modest
Claim Presented by the
Architect.
COMPLETED IN FOUR DAYS

SACRAMENTO, CAL, Dec. 6.-Two hun
dred and fifty dollars day was the mod
est compensation which was demanded
from the State through the Board of Ex-
aminers to-day by P. J. Donahue for SER
vices rendered as expert in connection with
the foundation of the new ferry building
in San Francisco, and the claim has so
aroused the gubernatorial ire that it is an
assured fact that Architect Donahue will
not only fall far short of his demand, but
will be compelled to call upon the strong
arm of the law in order to recover any
compensation whatever.
During the late campaign, when Jim"
Budd and Estee we're running neck-and-
neck race for the executive chair, P. J.
Donahue was one of the formers most en-
thusiastic whoopers-up, and it was evil
IDENTIFY upon the strength of these services
that he demanded the sum of $1,000 for
drilling few holes in the ferry founda-
ton, submitting samples of its material to
an assayer and drawing up report in
which he claimed that the sand used was
of loamy consistency. Donahue claimed
that he also made some computations, but
failed to state of what nature. All of these
arduous duties consumed about four days
time. Donahue strongly intimated to the
Governor to-day that his political services
deserved recognition, and was promptly
informed that any demand of personal
nature would be recognized and liquidated,
but that on no account would political
debts be cancelled at the expense of the
State.
Donahues claim was the first to engage
81 he 81 Exo
this afternoon, and after being duly sworn
the gentleman, in answer to questions by
his attorney, Mr.. Laidlaw, stated that on
the Sd of last February. having been APP
pointed by Governor Budd as expert, he
had made personal examination of quite
q number OF the piers of the ferry founda-
ton and gathered samples of the material
used, which he submitted for analysis.
He had been checked in his labors by the
Board of Harbor Commissioners, but re-
sumed them after the board had received
q telegram from the Governor verifying
his appointment. On February he re-
ceived an order from the Governor TO
cease work, and he then made his report
and presapted his expense account, which
was paid, but he had received nothing for
his services.
'Mr. Donahue," said Governor Budd.
"what day did you see me on this matter?"
81 think it was Friday night" replied
the expert; "and you ted me to call at
your apartment at the hotel the next day"
Now, Mr.. Donahue, how long had you
been in San Francisco at this timer"
About ten MONTHS
Now, Mr. Donahue, did you not come
to me and say: Governor, realize that
you are a very busy man, but as 1 am
newly located here in this City and am
anxious to obtain a foothold in my pro-
fession as an architect, wish you would
allow me to act as expert on that ferry
foundat 1t will give me considerable
standing and greatly promote my material
interests and did l not inform you that
the contingency fund being exhausted
there was no money to pay the labor of an
expert, and did you not say that your
labors would not cost the State cent??
81 remember the conversation. but fail
to remember making any promise to that
effect. In fact believe you introduced
the subject yourself" retorted the expert.
Have you ever stated to any person
that you were performing the work with
out compensation
Not to my knowledge"
"Are you positive of that?" demanded
the Governor. How then do you explain
this statement?" and turning to bound
volume of THE CALL he read an extract
from the issue of February 5, in which it
stated that in an interview accorded re-
porter of the paper Mr.. Donahue in sub
stance said:
There is a large sum of money to be expended
on this ferry building, and Governor Budd Is
determined to know ell about the foundations
before the superstructu1e is erected. shall
give full report. and there is no expense to
be attached.
81 DENY ever making any such statement
to any CALL reporter" emphatically re-
oiled Mr.. Donahue. II remember being
but made no mention OF there
being no expense attached"
"stilI YOU cannot say that you ever made
anv previous denial of this printed state
ment." said his Excellency, land that has
an important bearing on the case. Don't
Won remember that / said l wanted all
SAMPLES of material forwarded to Professor
Rising of the State University for analysis,
as there was no fund to pay any expenses,
and did l not state that l had written
letter on the subject to him"
"You did not sent all samples to Pro-
lessor Price"
~ know you did," retorted the Gov
srnor, "and you sent some to Sacramento.
mo, l never sent anything to aSacra-
mento, either. gave all ray samples to
Professor Price"
Now, Mr. Donahue, did you not send
piece of piling, teredo-bored, to Sacra-
nento as a sample of what was used Tor
foundation and afterward found out that |
you were iobbed 2"
"No; that was sample of an old wharf
sent it to you to show the ravages OF this
oorer in San Francisco waters. 1t was not
/ part of the piling. How could get
down to that?"
"Do you remember writing me letter
n which you inclosed blank bill and
me to fill in what amount
deemed your services as an expert to De
WORTH"
II do"
well, Mr.. Donahue," quietly remarked
The Governor, 81 have very unfortunate
habit of retaining all my correspondence.