The times., 1899-03-24
STILL NO ACTION ON
TEE HARRIES REPORT
The District Commissioners
Indulge in More Delay.
Much Indignation Expressed by
Persons Who Are Interested.
rs "a Sons, Built the johnson
School.

| Still another day has passed without off,
ciai action being taken on the Harries
report on faulty public school construction.
From present indications nothing will be
done this week, and the public will be
| fortunate If anything is done next week
The report was referred back to the Board
of School Trustees several days ago for
signatures. which appeared to have been
| forgotten when the document was orig
inally referred to the Board of District
Commissioners. Although mere trifie of
| time would be necessary for afixing sew
eral names. three days have been per-
mitted to pass without anything being
done in this direction and the report being
returned to the District Commissioners.
Every day strengthens the general belief
that there is no disposition at the District
building to hurry action on the matter.
This, Notwithstanding its utmost impor-
tance to thousands of people.
When the report was returned to the
school trustees it was presumed that such
action was only play for time in which
10 secure data. il possible, with which to
refute the allegations contained in the
statement Of the school committee on
| buildings and grounds. When it was ascer-
tanned that John B. Brady, District In
spector of Buildings. was visiting some of
ries report this presumption was strength
ened. The Commissioners repeatedly re-
fused to be interviewed on the subject of
the report and said that action would
eventually be taken and full report made
on the alleged faults in due time. When
it was found that the report was with
out signatures, the statement was made
by one of the Commissioners that mo
action could be taken on a report without
signatures. Notwithstanding this state
ment, the Inspector of Buildings was in
formed of the contents of the report and
began making investigating tours to the
buildings. 1t is even stated that he is now
at work on his report in reply to the Har-
ries statement. Everything in fact tends
to corroborate the statement that the Com
missoners and the Inspector are engaged
in what pugilists would call "sparring for
wind"
The public is not, apparently, content to
stand aside and permit the report to be
ignored Comments are heard on every
side and the Commissioners are coming
in for many hard hits. The office of the
District Inspector of Buildings is directly
involved in the charges. Either the In
spector of Buildings or his subordinates,
the ''superintendents of construction" who
are compensated for their services at the
rate of 81 per day. are responsible for the
thorough construction of all public school
buildings. These officers are under the
supervision of the Commissioners and it
would seem only natural for the latter to
investigate charges of SO sweeping char
acter as those made concerning the West
ern High School and other buildings erect
ed within the past four years.
Each day the Commissioners delay this
investigation and fail to place the blame
increases the bitterness of the comments
which are being heard about the municipal
executive offices and adds additional odium
to the rapidly growing adherence and de-
testation in that direction.
In The Times of last Wednesday morn
ing wherein the faulty construction of the
Johnson School building was described, in
detail it was erroneously stated that Co
lumbus Thomas & Sons built the Johnson
building, and that C. w. Warnecke was the
inspector. In justice to Mr.. Thomas it
should be stated that he had nothing what
ever to do with the Johnson building, which
is one of the most glaringly defective build
ings of all that were mentioned in the re-
port of Colonel Harries 1t was ascertained
at the Office OF the Inspector OF Buildings
yesterday that the contractor who built the
johnson School was ]. NJ. Dunn, and the
inspector was John G. Bright. The state
ment was further made that Columbus
Thomas & Sons were the contractors on the
Hayes School building, one of the seven
mentioned in the now famous report.
Edward ]. Hannah, the plumber. who
was mentioned in connection with a COM
plant made by S. NJ. Ryder. principal. of
the Grant School. relative TO the plumb
ing construction in that building, visited
the District Building yesterday and filed
a letter with the Commissioners calling
attention to the letter of the principal.
Mr.. Hannah said in his letter: Il call
your attention to the fact that | had moth
ing to do with the draining of air ducts
as will be seen by reference to the plans
and specifications for the plumbing work
that was done there by me, nor can their
condition be attributed in any way to my
work, and / should not be held responsible
for their condition.
1T seems strange that Mr.. Ryder should
use my name with said ducts in such a
reckless and unjustifiable manner In or
der. however, that there be no further
misconception of the matter / request that
this letter be attached to the report and
given equal publicity, also that you will
kindly give copy of report of inspector OF
on my work