New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-22
SCHOOL COMMISSIONER SWORN.

SCHOOL COMMISSIONER SWORN
GEORGE LIVINGSTON QUESTIONED ABOUT
FIREFRooFING MATERIAL
George Livingston being duly sworn testified
follows:
Mr.. Moss-Q.-Is this Mr. George Livingston?
Ayes sir.
GA School Commissioner? Ayes, have that
honor.
o.-And also member of the United Company
Q.-The United Company. believe it is called
not the man? A,-No, sir
o:-I want to ask you. Mr. Livingston-I am
sick list? A-Not apparently; an absolute fact
Q.-We have tried very hard TO get him. I
Specifications for Public School Building No is on
page IS. the provision for terra-cotta freproohng
hcations marked In that way. but think
exPlain It TO- your satsfactlon m ,a. .tsrs,o.
now, Or your object is 70 draw out the present
Roebling system
you know how this came to be stricken out? A.
Under that special specification. do not
Gotta hreproohng was taken out OF the plans for
school No. rs? Al would like to make
Ono: answer the question. yes or no. A The
fact that the Roebling system was a good deal
better
Oft is true that was stricken out? Alt is
true so far as know from the specifications you
have handed me there 1 do not examine every
Q.-But Irrespective OF every particular specif-
cation you know the fac, thst the terra-cotta sys
Q.-And that was done at your suggestion, was
IT not? AT my suggestion?
Did you not speak to Mr. Snyder about it?
About striking out the terra-cotta system?
Didn't you ever talk with him about ii? A
O-Who did it, A-That have not the slightest
found fos he Roebng system stem specified told the
Superintendent that either construction was equal
niitted to bid on that construction similar con-
Q.-You 80 advised? Ayes. sir.
Q-Why was II not followed? Alt was fol-
Q.|was the specifications so that contractors
could bid on either system? All specifications
OF the buildings which have been let since the
LIST Of January.
BIDS OF TWO KINDS OPENED.
Q.-Why. Mr. Livingston. on the Goth page there
is the Roebling system specified in so many words
with the exact provision taken from their cata-
logue Ar you had asked whether any altera-
tons or additions were made to that particular
specification when you obtained 1t from the de-
partment you would have found the record In the
Building Department that every contractor was
notified that they had the privilege Of sending In
bids on either construction
Q-How could they send them on plans tnat
specified the Roeblng system? Avery easy;
substitute style Of construction 10 another.
II is only a question OF clay blocks or OF con-
0CBut the clay blocks were stricken OUTS A
oLWhy was that? A-They believed the Roeb-
ling construction or similar construcuon Mas
O-They have not done IT in reference TO school
No l75 How was the clay block system restoredg
A-The contractor was given the privilege OF
putting in bid on either construction. 49,,
Q-You do not speak 20 the question. Listen 70
tenn was stricken out. Now, ask you why were
they restored? A.-Each building Is OF dinerent
fer in their general construction. and one may
think the clay block preferable IN one iIstace VI
the terra-cotta or the foeo"ns SSS'e" i" al
other
THE REASON AN OBSCURE ONE.
o. am not talking about builders; talk
ing about YOUR department. which in School No.
i75 actually struck out OF the printed speci1ca-
tons the terra-cotta system. and then Afterwards
put It back again. Why was it put back? A
Because the contractors were privileged TO bid on
either. II It were specified they would think It
was to the exclusion OF the other, and they could
QAt arst the tsrra,cotta was stricken IKE. b be-
ter? A-No; do not put II that way, ~
Dwell your Board thought the hoeohng sys-
was better and then the seaTae 9 was W. have
4 chance? A-Why not? - l.,
o'%Why was it stricken out? A.-Because IN
some construction OF buildings It is preferable to
he CLAW block system
ne o c c'4h was Il restored? Al have given my
o.~Was not the terra-cotta system restored be-
cause M DoHnely waxing r5 tbe School building
md protested against the construction? A-Not
o mot my 10 your knowledge? A.-Not in my pres
A'-Not in your presence? Didn't you ever hear
o.EYou know who Mr.. Donnelly is. don't you?
4 a Don't YOU know he is related by marriage 70
,ne Of the officers Of the Building Department
o,EAnd that he takes an interest in this terra
,otta constructionY A.No. SIR Connected with Mr.
o S'%or with INN Mr. I Brady Aa@No sir.
ne terra Gotta construction? A.-No. sir.
o.-And sometimes called the workmen out On
cred with, and you didn't know that it was be,
ause OF the forcible suggestion OF MI DonneIIy |
hat Ier sno So yo notice dated March is 1899 and
igned in type c. J. B. Snyder. and ask you II you |
Id not kpSw tb ,naS pechcaton for School No 57
III have never seen the notice before ~, L.
S-This is an official notice, and such will |
cad II in evidence
MR.. osULLIvAN INTERRUPTS.
Mr. O'Sullivan-I want you TO testify to that ef-
ect. The Building Department is not represented
q this matter and ! want Mr.. Moss to 70 on the
,and and swear OF his own knowledge this Is
f1cal. think this u 'ei'
nering this evidence, II Is merely declaration
Z counsel May be permitted TO look at that.
Mr. Moss~Do you think it should be connected
urther?
M Noss-Well. we can connect II.
o.-Are you. Mr.. Livingston. member OF the
,emocratic Club? A--No, sir. |
% Then you not in the intimate relationship
IN Mr. Croker that some other Of our witnesses
ave ave been. are your Al don't quite understand
a. question. I a not acquainted with Mr.. Croker.
~ eNot closely associated with Mr.. Croker? A.
10. simply a member Of the organization.
o-That was used for nre-proonnsE A--What
DIN large or small buildings? AIN largo
Illdings and in small also II may De permittes