New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-25
WHAT GOOD MORNING MEANT
IN THE MOUTH OF MR. DONEGAN 1T SIGNI.
FLED A CALL FOR MONEY.

WHY CONTRIBUTIONS TO TAMMANY WERE MADE
INVESTIGATION OF THE OLD BUILDINGS
DEPARTMENT CONTINUED.
The investigation into the methods and affairs
OF the old Buildings Department was resumed yes
terday by the Con, lissioners OF Accounts at their
offices In the Stewart Building The first witness
Peter J. Brennan. the builder, who swore at
the last hearing that he had paid $50 to William
J. Fryer VINO head OF the Board OF Examiners
at the buildings Department. for the changes Fryer
made in plans submitted for the Babcock G. wilcox
Building at Cortlandt ard Greenwich SITS.
Brennan presented the check in evidence, and said
that he had mailed It to Fryer.
william J. Fryer then called. He said he
lived at No. $50 Columbus-ave; that he has been
architect during the last twenty-five years. and
for years has been member OF the Board OF
Examiners Of the Buildings Department He then
described the duties OF the Board OF which he was
a member, and declared that under the law the
Board has certain discretionary power regarding
the changes Of plans ard specifications, though
the law imposed certain conditions regarding the
buildings themselves He said that the superin-
tendent too, had large discretionary power. and
was not compelled to act within the law
He asked If it were not true that the plans
for the American Tract Society Building had not
been passed until after the seventh story Of the
building had been reached. His answer was that
It might be
Asked regarding the plans and his talk with
Augustus PAUL. one OF the Tract Socety's
draughtsmen, Mr.. Fryer said that the Board had
not accepted the plans, and Paul. had called upon
him for advice and information. Mr.. Fryer added
that when men came to him for such advice or
information they did of their own volition and
ne always considered that they engaged him as
a consulting architect For that reason he always
charged for hi, services II am an architect" he
went on land whenever was consulted l expected
to he paid. That Is my business.
Referring to the Brennan check, Mr.. Fryer SAID
that the plans OF the Babcock & Wilcox Building
were very properly rejected. Then howard Con-
stable had visited him. and Mr.. Fryer declared that
he told him the building would not stand up Con-
stable suggested to me- the witness sald that l
take charge Of tire plans and modify them as saw
IT. He asked me VIVA; would charge. and told
him"
Mr. Fryer told Mr. Constable 10 have his draughs-
men change the plans rom certain suggestions that
he then made. and the plans were then resubmtteo
to him privately. lie had suggested few other
changes, which were made. Il then thought they
were all right passed them. received my $780, and
have spent the money long since" Mr.. Fryer ad-
mtted tina, he nede several thousand dollars year
In sucn consultations.
Mr. Fryer said the Board Of Examiners met once
a week Each member received $40 a week FOR Els
services.
On cross-examlnation. Mr. Fryer said that ne
never used his influence member Of the Board
IN the interest OF any architect or builder.
John Askey, a builder. OF No. &c East Ninety
egh,h-st said he never paid any money to building
inspectors.
W. II. Gloss. the next witness chief clerk OF the
Buildings Department. then testified that for thirty
years he had paid various sums Of money TO the
Tammany Hall collectors. who came around an.
nuoly." He had paid So so and s-o a, times 20
pan Donegan, the regular collector Mt; Done.
gan and was Identified Mr. Gloss added ina;
Donegan usually appeared about september OK eacn
| year and SAID Good morning. DO you want 70 see
Prior to Donegans call, circulars had been received
BY the attaches OF the Department, asking for con-
SAID he never heard Donegan ask Tor money, nor
had he seem anybody give him money He himself
through fear that he might lose his place:
August Bernsie. Of No lol East Eishty.s,xn-ss.:
he thought he would lose his Job but TO strengthen
| himself He was appointed clerk through Judge
washington Parker. OF No. 10 Gay-st;. another
clerk IN the Department. had also PAID the regular
samuel j. Parker assistant attorney. also paid
sc 0H fat IT, he had Hs been
asked fer any money, and had always given tho
Thomas j. Mcca6e. o. No 81 Washington Place.
saii he paid per cent of his salary eecn year 6ut
Tamnany Hall. and although holding the office Of
clerk for twelve years, he never had Il intinated
to Rim he would lose his job il he did not pay
Mr. Doneean vas then called TO the stand. He
took the chair smiling jovially on the Commissioner
ana said his name was Daniel NJ Donegan, and
hat he lived at No 80 East Eghty-secooind.,st Mr.:
Donegan said he known the "Wisktnke."
and tha; he had been clerk in the supreme Court
and Mayors marshars office too. He admitted nav
ing received the contributions. He denied that he
had ever asked for money, and said that he ell
ways turned the money over to the treasurer OF
Tammany Hail. John McQuade Mr.. Donegan said
he called frequently q. the Buildings Department
whenever he had business there
"You usually said Good morning."
Yes the l would say to you IL called
your Office
But you never called at my office"
NO. but shall. II you say you have a certified
check ready