The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-05-08

1 Fleming last November, then chef Of thu
Law and Records Division of the Arch
/ tects Office, the place was given TO a
man who is neither lawyer, builder MOI
| an architect, but is a friend of Logan
! Carlisle. Yet this man is allowed to
| prepare contracts and pass upon questions
! of law involving the expenditure of mil
| lions of dollars.
There is man at the head OF the Trac-
| ing Division totally without technical knowt
| edge; and it is doubtful if he ever saw a
| drawing prior to assuming his present posi-
| ton, important as il is
The people doubtless would like to kno W
what it costs them each year to afford
pleasure trips to the favored employees OF
this office. 1t is said Oh good authority
that at one time last summer at least five
men from this office, aside from the regu-
lar force of inspectors, whose salaries
range from Sc to S14 per day, together
with an additional allowance OF S. per
Cay for expenses, were all in New York
at one time, detailed on inspection. Doubt
less the inspection division can explain
the cause and authority for this useless
expenditure Of public money.
Private Secretar Nanderlip, who is
chairman of tie committee which investi-
gated the supervisors office, said yester-
day when a Times representative spoke
to him about the supervisors office:
The general situation throughout the
department is not such as some very parti-
san people have claimed. We have received
many complaints and heard many stories,
but, when investigated, the ma jority OF
them have no foundation that We can dis
cover. We are trying to conduct an in
quiry which will establish reasons, and
from what we have asCnrtained there is
much less occasion for apprehension amG ng
employees than they appear to believe.
As TO the supervisor $ office, Mr.. WetInOrc,
chief OF the law and records division,
impressed the committee favorably. 1t
is true the chief OF the photograph de-
partment IL not a skilled photographers,
but he seems TO have executive abilit =,
The man at the head of the tracing di-
vision is not skilled tracer. He was TIE
duced from some other position to that
one. 1t Is probable that one of the great
troubles with the supervisors office Is
in the Computer's division Mr. Aiken, l
believe, to toe an excellent architect, buI
do not think he possesses great executive
ability. which is q necessary qualification
for his office. To be architect of merit
is one thing; to be the head OF a great
department Is another :
Mr. Charles F. kemper, executive Of
ficer of the supervisors department, said
that thele had never been any but har-
mOniuuS relations let ween himself and Mr..
Aiken, and said MI Wetmore had made an
efficient official He said that designs
hoI oh hH
hut that il each case it was to better the
building
The reason bids have been so much
lower than estimates" said Mfr Kempcr,
us because in many cases the estimates
Were made two years before the bids, and
prices of material became lower have
no recollection of five men being in New
York at the same time, hut it could readily
happen through business "
Supervisor Architect Aiken declared that
his relations with Mr. Kenlper had always
beea cordial and without discord and that
he had given the utmost consideration to
the appointment Of his assistants Mt
Totten had hepn recommended To him 10y
the president Of one OF the best-known
architectural schools la the country MIR.
Totten, after graduating IL this country,
took a six months course " study in
architecture in Europe
~Itis true that designs have been changed
and delays made, hut the profession viii
sustain my acts in changing the designs
The tracer, MIR MillikeH. is a brother of the
late Congressman Milliken, and it is true
that he is not an experienced tracer. but
be was appointed and had to take him.
am perfectly willing to let architects pass
Judgment on my work l never sought
the office Of supervising architect, ut
became interested in il in behalf OF a
friend When it was learned that lie
could not have it, l presented a letter t.
Secretary Carlisle, and at his request h
tanned others. and was appointed "