The San Francisco call., 1898-04-30
Enqineer Holmes Denies All Knowledge of the
 Financial End.
Admits That Many Changes Were Made in the
 Plans.
CONTRACTORS CALLED ON.
Three Men Who Were Interested 1T the Construction of the Building
 Testify Briefly.

The ferry depot scandal was taken up by the Grand Jury last night, and it will be probed to its lowest depth, for the members have accumulated great quan- tity Of evidence tending to throw light on the unsavory mess, and are determined to make those who have squandered the peoples money if they have not actually absorbed it illegally, suffer for their mis- deeds.
 The session was short, only four wit nesses being examined, and comparatively little of importance was developed; but next Thursday, when the matter will be taken up again, some interesting develop ments are expected. State Engineer Howard C. Holmes and three of the con tractors were examined last night, but, naturally, they put on the best front pos sible.
 Engineer Holmes was examined at length, being careful at all times not to say anything that might reflect upon Ar chitect Swain or the Harbor Commission CTS, who had charge of the construction of the depot. Holmes admitted that there had been many changes in the plans and the materials, but set up in defense the assertion that in every building the origi- nal plans are altered more or less.
 Considerable stress was laid on the point that the beauty of the interior had
 
 when questioned closely regarding the difference in the cost of those changes Holmes said he knew absolutely nothing about that, as he had nothing to do with that part of the matter
 For instance, when asked if it was true that Tennessee marble had been Substi- tuted for white glazed bricks, Holmes said it was, but headed off unpleasant questions as regards the difference in cost (the marble being much cheaper) by asking the juryman if he would not pre- faY- n~laI [ n hT-ia md hon Tor Hod into a tribute to the beauties of Tennessee marble.
 The subject of stone occupied consider able time, and Holmes made it as easy for Contractor Mccarthy as possible. It will be remembered that most of the bid derS on the stone work of the ferry depot and one on Colusa. the difference in the price averaging about 5000, the Colusa stone being that much cheaper.
 Mccarthy bid on oregon gray alone, his allowed to change and substitute Colusa stone at the price he agreed to furnish the other. Holmes said that at the time the bids were opened the Colusa quarry was not developed, and when his atten- tion was called to the fact that several buildings in this city had already been built or Colusa stone, ne said the stone used in those buildings was merely the outcroppings.
 The terra cotta, heating, plumbing and iron contracts were all touched upon, and Holmes told what he knew about them.
 When he was finally excused Captain W. H. Taylor, of the Risdon Iron Works, which had the iron contract, was sum moned. He was briefly questioned about the changes authorized in the iron and steel work, and the comparative cost of the original and the new plans.
 r. McG. Bean, of the firm of Gladding, Mclean & Co.,, next testified to the alter ations in the terra cotta work, his ex- animation occupying scarcely five min utes. and then Thomas Butler was called to tell what he knew about the masonry work on the building. The Grand Jury found he could tell all he knew, or all he wanted them to know, in about two min utes, so after asking two or three minor questions. the Grand Jury continued it's investigation until next week. It will probably require several weeks to get to the bottom of the affair.