The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-03-24

Owing to an interruption of two
hours resulting from the desire Of the
attorneys to attend the sheriff's sales
and the fact that Mr.. Newcomb's 8
hoarseness compelled an adjournment
at noon, only about an hour was oc-
cupied yesterday BY the hearing of the
county commissioners appeal from the
auditors surcharges.
Architect Lacey was on the stand
most of the time. and, in answer to
questions by Mr.. Kelly, gave explana-
tions tending to justify the one hum
dred and thirty-five expenditures which
are surcharged because of being un-
warranted or unlawful.
Regarding the $1,000 commission paid
Conrad Schroeder for supervising the
iron work, Mr.. Lacey explained that
when the original general contract for
repairs was made with Mr.. Schroeder
a clause was inserted making him re-
sponsible for the work on the roof.
He objected to this, saying he was
not concerned in the iron work, had
no authority over 1t and would not be
held responsible for it. The commits
sioners believed it wise to have some
reliable person in charge of and re-
sponslble for all the work and when
the two contractors came to begin op-
erations at the same time 1t was made
plainly evident that one Of them should
be made the boss and a proposition
was made to Mr.. Schroeder to accept
this responsibility. He agreed to do
1t If properly paid and finally it was
arranged that he should be allowed a
per cent. commission.
AS to the $225O surcharge for tuck
pointing, Mr.. Lacey said it was UNDER
stood by him and he so instructed Con-
tractor Schroeder that only the new
work and such parts Of the old work
as needed it should be tuck pointed.
Mr.. Schroeder did the work and did 1t
satisfactorily.
In regard to the extra" for raising
the ceiling Of court room No. 2. which
was raised, according to the auditors
claims, Mr.. Lacey said the ceiling was
not only raised. but also lowered again.
Judge Archibald suggested that it be
raised and the commissioners adopted
the suggestion. After the work was
well under way it was found the lob
could not be satisfactorily done with
out interfering with the arrangement
agreed upon Tor the rooms above and
between two evils they chose the lesser
and lowered the ceiling.
One of the surcharges is for brass
pipe. which, 1t is alleged. was paid
for and not furnished. The auditors
claim one and one-half inch pipe was
called for in the specifications. but that
one-inch pipe was used. p. F. Howley,
of the firm of p. +. & NJ. T. Howley,
of Wyoming avenue, when asked con-
cerning this matter said he could not
testify intelligently, as he had not
made an examination. At the request
of the auditors he went to place in
dicated by them and found one-inch
brass pipe and testified to this. Then
the commissioners attorneys asked
him to accompany Mr.. Lacey and make
an examination Of this pipe. Mr.. How
ley agreed to do so, and after having
made the examination he went on the
stand and testified that Mr. Lacey had
shown him where there was inch and a
half pipe used.
How much Of it was used he could
not say. as the brass pipe is in the
closed plumbing work and it would be
necessary to tear down large amount
of plastering to uncover it all.
1t Is a case where the auditors ex-
perts looked in the wrong place.