The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1905-07-13
AIRING STATE HOUSE MATER
Suit of State of South Carolina Against
Architects For Faulty Construction
of Repairs on State Capitol Comes
Up For Trial at Columbia.

Architects For Faulty Construction
of Repairs on State Capitol Comes
Up For Trial at Columbia.
Columbia Special to Charlotte Observer.
The civil suit which will be begun
by the State in the Circuit Court here
for $4,000 damages against the con-
tracing firm Of McIlvane, Unkefer &
Company and Architect Frank P. Mil
burn. for faulty construction in remod-
cling the State capitol, will attract
much attention throughout the State.
Governor Hayward and a number OIL
other prominent men have been sum-
mcned as witnesses and it is expected
that some sensational evidence Will De
brought out.
In the opinion of experts twice as
much money as was necessary to COM
plete the building and put it in perfect
condition has already been expended,
although the work is not yet complete.
The scandals. following an exposure OF
the affair, involving certain prominent
politicians belonging to the State house
commission. which accepted the WORK
and released those responsible from
their bonds. caused the matter to be
the subject of number Of heated oe-
bates in the last several Legislature. So
heated. in fact. did the debates be-
come. that, at times, it looked as II
personal violence would result. The new
State house commissions architest, Mr..
C.. c. Wilson, declared that the new
dome was faulty in construction and
liable to fall in with disastrous re-
suits. it's supports being insufficient.
Governor Hayward employed the gov
ernment's leading expert, Mr.. kert
Berle, who came here and passed upon
the dome. For the most part he sided
with Mr.. Milburn, though the commits
sion Loyalty adhered to the contentious
Of it's own expert.
After sthe architect and contractors
were paid for their work to complete
the building, a subsequent Legislature
found it necessary to appropriate $l45,-
900 more to complete the repairs. A
large amount Of this has already been
expended. in a new heating plant and
in permanent work.
The principal point of difference now,
and the one which will receive the most
attention in the trial, is as to whether
a new roof should be added to take the
place of the one the contractors put on
under Architect Milburn. The new
commission has the plans and specif1ca-
tions for new roof all ready for
awarding the contracts, and will let
these contracts, as soon as the result OF
the trial is known. The new roof Will
be of terra Gotta.
The failure of the million-dollar IN
dependent Cotton Oil Company and the
resultant failure of the 100000 Darl-
ington Trust Company, will cause much
suffering in and near Darlington, where
a large amount Of the stock was hela.
II is understood that a controlling IN
terest in both concerns were held IN
Darlington and neighboring counties.
In a number Of cases the holding
amounted to as little as $50 to s3,OOo,
but these represented the savings OF
wears. 1t is stated that a number OF
the larger stockholders are endorsers
on the company's notes to large ex-
tent. However. the statement is conn.,
IDENTIFY made that no other business en-
terprises Of that section are involved,
and there are those who believe that
! both concerns will get on their feet
again. About 100000 worth Of the
/ stock was held in Charleston. At one
| time the concerns headquarters were
in Charleston. with Morris Israel, OF
that city. as its president The head-
quarters were moved to Darlington, but
again transferred to Charleston. put
finally went back to Darlington on IN
terests there acquiring control. -,
The affairs OF the two concerns VIII
he thoroughly investigated by the re-
ceivers. which Judge watts appointed
| Saturday. Messrs. L. E. Williamson anu
E. C. Lide have been appointed re-
ceiyers for the trust company, and NJ
Bright Williamson for the oil COM
pany. >,
The complaint in the oil company
cases alleges Indebtedness aggregatlhg
! $500 900. The complaint urging the ap-
pointment Of a receiver says:
.aThe Independent Cotton OIL Com
nany owns eight oil mills, with ware
houses and other appurtenances, num-
erous ginneries, tank cars, live STOCK
and applicance. has valuable contracts
outstanding, is employing large num-
her of hands, and has on mana larse
! valuable stocks Of raw materlal anu
manufactured product, and 1t Wouid De
disastrous to the business or the salG
| company and to its stockholders anu
creditors for its operations to be sus"
pended"