New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-29
ARCHITECT SUES MURPHY
SEEKS TO RECOVER FEES.
EUidence That Tammany Leader
Still O7cns Borough Hotel.

William s. Devery's statement that if he were
collecting hush money from illegal resorts he
would be entitled 10 contribution from Charles
F. Murphy, leader of Tammany Hail. for the
Borough Hotel, at Lexington-ave. and Twenty
seventh-st. one Of the worst resorts in this city
brought forth the retort from Murphy that
while he did own the hotel once it passed out
Of his hands before il became an infamous place.
The developments of yesterday would indicate
that MI Murphy had strayed from the truth
when he said this place was no longer his prop
erty. and also that Mr.. Murphy owns other
equally disgraceful places. In fact. the indica-
ticns are that h makes a business Of owning
places Of this character, as they pay peter
return than legitimate property
J. B Franklin. an architect, having Offices at
No. 800 Broadway. has begun suit against Nj.
Murphy for his fees as architect in building the
hotel The character of this place has been
fully established, but Murphy has tried to wrig-
gle out Of the ownership by saying that he
transferred il for 81 Mr.. Franklin charges that
this is a subterfuge and that Murphy still owns
il Mr. Franklin in his complaint. asserts that
he was employed by Charles +. Murphy 10
prepare plans. specifications. details, etc. ana
superintend work and procure permits for vari-
Gus buildings in which he was interested. viz.
First-The alteration Of building and LIQUOR store
No. S2S First-ave.. northeast corner 81 Nine
Consultation as t. Improvements on
Third-For alteration 10 building 30. ~ East
Fourth-Preparing prelinlinarv sketches; full
plans and specifications for alteration of the Old
store on the site Of the present building.
Fifth-Also plans. etc, for the erection OF an
sixth-subsequently he received orders from
6 6a for gh rT to bd hddT s@ erec
ed premises No eS Lexngton-aVe.. in lieu OF
aforesaid apartment house.
For the above services Mr. Franklin, at Muir
phys request. rendered a bill amounting to
S675 only part of which has been paid. A bal
ance Of $40 is still due
About Nov. - 1897. Immediately after election
and after this bill was rendered, he received
orders from Murphy 10 prepare a new set of
plans and specifications for a tenement house
although il was intended by Mr.. Murphy to be
used as a hoteD. The application granted
and a permit issued by the Building Depart
ment. Mr.. Franklin made ali the requisite
drawings and details, etc. and was present at
the signing of the contract in which his name
was incorporated as the architect and superin-
tendent of the work
TrenleI & Fuchs, Mr. Simon and Mr.. Opdyke
6his lawyer being present on January 10 1898.
Mr.. Murphy had stated to him on their way
downtown to Miller & Peckhams law office.
where the contract signed. that he would
have the contracts made out in his sisters
name. Catharine A. Murphy, and they were then
so signed. per Charles F. Murphy. The con-
tract was awarded to Tremel & Fuchs for
$4,000
Work was then started under MT. Franklin's
plans and under his supervision, as agreed
upon. according TO a building contract signed by
Charles +. Murphy. behalf of his sister,
Catharine \. Murphy, the then reputed owner
Some time after the work was begun under
Mr.. Franklins supervision Mr.. Murphy sent
letter TO him that he not to superntend
the work; all this being in violation of contract.
On the completion of the work. Mr.. Franklin
made several demands Cor his fees, whereupon
MI Murphy said. II do not consider / owe you
one dollar"
Mr.. Franklin then determined to sue for his
fees according to the usual schedule adopted
by the New-York Chapter of the American In
stitute OF Architects, and inasmuch Cathar-
inc A. Murphy had made the requisite affidavit
RECOMMENDING the plans filed IN the Building
DEPARTMENT, per Charles +. Murphy"
IL was subsequently, discovered from the
records that as a mater of fact. Catharine A.
Murphy WIS not the owner OF the property.
moi outstanding she made affidavit. as is
shown by the records i'm the Buildings Depart
nlent The fact is, Mr. Franklin says that
Charles f. Murphy was the real owner when he
allowed his sister TO make the affidavit.