New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-02
ADDITIONAL COST TO THE CITY.


ADDITIONAL COST TO THE CITY.
Before he left the stand Mr. withers pointed out
that the additional cost to the city Of the
prison under the plans Of Morgan & slattery was
500 .917 90
that he knew about the plans for the beams in the
new Tombs building. The original plans. drawn
by his firm provided for beams ST sufficient
strength to support the weight that might be i'm
posed on them.
WAS there any reason for the substitution Of
other plans calling for heavier structure than the
plans prepared by your"
None whatever. The whole purpose to
underrate our work so that Horgan & sattery
could get in"
Were you asked to get out?'
We'll, It intmated that We had better get
out by Commissioner Lantry."
The witness said that the original plans pre-
pared by HIS firm had already passed and had been
approved by the Building Department when they
fled that the only reason for the criticism
made was to make room for the substitution Of
Horgan slattery in place Of Withers & Dickson
John r. Thomas the architect who drew the de-
signs for the Hall Of Records. the next
witness. Replying to Mr.. Moss he said II had been
the intention to produce a building that would be n
credit to the city-a building of utility and beauty.
and with interior decorations 10 harmonic with
the exterior He added that he had not known tho
points OF criticism OF Horgsn & Slattery OF his
work until they had been read TO him at a meet
ing Of the Board Of Estimate ard Apportionment
He denied that their plans would reduce the cost
81 10000 He thought that II the plans OF Morgan
& Slattery were adopted, which left out the mosaic
floors. marble staircase statues and other decora-
tons, there might be saving IN the city OF 100000
Mr.. Moss wanted know whether not the sub
stitution Of ironwork in imitation OF marble and
plain pavement for mosaic work would not detract
from the artistic appearance of the building.
Witness said that he believed 1t would. He had
no quarrel however. with the city. and II the
proper officials directed him 10 substitute the
cheaper work in the interest OF economy. he had no
objection to so changing his plans. The Mayor. he
said. honest In his opinion in seeking to save
10000 for the city, but he believed that the Mayor
had been deceived BY Horgan Slattery.
Mr.. Borgan was recalled. and denied that he had
attempted to criticise Mr. Thomass plans. but sd-
mitted that ne had tried 10 take out certain orna-
mentations in the building.
And 10 substitute a counterfeit for a rea?'
NO sir; but to substitute cheaper materials In
the less frequented parts OF the building"
MI Horgan denied that he had tried to tone down
Mr. Thomass "super-ssthetic taste" He did not
know whether not his taste was as good or bet
ter than Mr. Thomass. He laid claim TO some ar
tstic taste
in regard to iron Orders For several minutes Mr..
Horgan answered ,gibly enough.
What is the difference between the weight on
the top Of a girder and that on the bottom7'
This has gone far enough. I refuse to answer
any technical questions"
you can't answer said Mr.. Moss You have
gone far as you can
"A child could answer your question:
stop! Stop! When you cannot answer, just say
So Just answer the question. nothing else"
What is the strain the upper side Of beam
called" asked counsel
Mr.. Horgan declined TO answer that and a series
of similar questions. He said a boy could answer
those questions. but that he did not concede Mr..
Moss's right to ask them
II thought should elicit that answer" retorted
| Mr. Moss You answered as far as you could and
| then you declined the ground that boy could
| answer. and you are not boy
Mr. Horgan did not reply. and Mr.. Moss made a
| long explanation using many technical terms,
which showed that he had been well coached. and
| that he had spent part of his vacation studying
physics.
'I shall refuse TO answer all technical questions "
| the witness persisted.
| o-Do YOU know? Al refuse to answer. You
| can go on enjoying yourself You are not an engi-
neer. , J.. 49,. 49,. .,o
| tions 70 You, would YOU consider them absurd? A.
| Not all OF them. About % per cent OF those you
| Do YOU know how TO compute the strength
of iron. columns? Al -, do ma, Al ,.t,.. 70
answer. II You send to our office will show you
| the figures. ,,.so,.. o,,od, = -.
Odd you ever hear OF Hodgk'nsons methods
| Al never did
! The duel between counsel and witness was con-
| tinued for more than twenty minutes with no
| greater result than was achieved from the first
| half dozen questions.
GIVES UP IN DESPAIR.
| At last Mr. Moss gave UP in despair, and decided
| n return 10 the question OF the Hall OF Records.
| Have YOU ever studied the beautiful side OF
architecture" he asked
| II hope So" replied Mr.. Horgan.
| What is the earliest style Of architectureT'
| "I decline to answer technical questions or to
| submit TO an examination as TO my capabilities"
Mr. Moss passed the question and answer by
| and asked the distinguishing characteristics OF
| Egyptian architecture. Mr.. Horgan forgot his
earlier decision and talked for time on Egyptian
| and Assyrian architecture.
| THAT Is right" said Mr. Moss. in the tone
schoolmaster would use to pupil In approval.
| Counsel showed astonishing knowledge OF his
| subject and talked Of Greek early English and
Indian architecture II lecturing The witness met
him fairly at every issue and they argued aboutdhe
different capitals. columns. etc. All the witnesses
unwillingness talk had disappeared and It real
| " looked as II counsels contention was correct
that he didn't really object to answering questions
! unless he found II impossible"
Before he left the stand the witness said he con-
| sidered himself the peer Of any architect In this
| country He said also that the firm OF Horgan q
slattery was a corporation, that all save two
| shares were held by Mrs Horgan and Mrs.. slattery
and that ne received salary OF 5000 year for hi,
| services
| Edward F. Carroll. who succeeded his brother
| John F. Carroll as clerk OF the Court OF General
| Sessions said he received a salary OF 1880 year
and fees certifying TO copies of indictments He
was unable to say whether these fees amounted ia
q 900 annually but he admitted that all the copyins
| work was done by the District Attorneys clerks
And that the fees he received just for certify