Milford chronicle., 1907-07-05
FRAUD IS PROVED:
THE PROBE ENDS
Investigators of Penna. Capitol Will
Report Quickly.
PROSECUTIONS WILL FOLLOW

Harrisburg, Pa June 29-The public
sessions of the capitol investigation
commission were brought to a close
with the testimony of former Governor
Stone, who was president of the capt.
tol building commission and also
chairman of the board of grounds and
buildings during his term as governor
The sessions of the investigators be-
gan on March IL and continued since
without interruption, except during
the closing days in the recent legisla-
ture. The commission expects to COM
plete its report to Governor Stuart in
the next 30 days, after which Attorney
General Todd will institute civil and /
criminal suits in the Dauphin county /
court against those responsible for the |
alleged frauds and overcharges in the |
furnishing of the capitol.
The report of the commission will
state that there was collusion and
fraud between Joseph NJ. Huston,
architect, and John H. Sanderson, con-
tractor, for S5.000,000 of the furnish
ings; that the contracts for the furn-
ishings were improperly awarded and
not to the lowest bidders; that the
goods were not purchased at the pre-
vailing market prices, as the law di-
rects they must be; that inferior furn-
ishings were supplied, not in accord ;
Rnce with the plans and specifications,
and that there is evidence of shortage a
and that the members Of the building =
commission and the board of grounds
and buildings were derelict in their
duties in not inspecting the evident
fraud and collusion that existed. II
Much Of the testimony taken by the
Investigators will be used in the legal
proceedings. Huston and Sanderson I -
evaded subpoenas to appear before the ~
and tell their stories. Con- b,
gresham Burd Cassel, president Of the n,
Pennsylvania Construction company. ~
which supplied the metallic furniture -, ~
1t a cost to the state of $4,000, ,OO0 also d,
declined to appear before the commits -.
sion. M ~.
Mr.. Stones testimony was frank ~
He took no blame upon -
himself, as there were no charges that rrl
raud had been committed by the 49,
'uilding commission. He character 80,
zed Huston as a man that had aroused ba,
he suspicion of the commission and ~
eclared that the architect had to be aa
'atched to keep him from exceeding
be appropriation of $4,000 900 for the
apitol. He appreciated the architects
Professional abilities and declared that -,
e was dreamer a man given to fan - a.
es, and not at all capable as a -
lilder. Vi
Mr.. Stone admitted that the building ~ ~
'mmission had suspicious as to Hus- aiS
ms business qualifications, but its az,
embers thought it best to continue fro- ,S,
th him rather than delay the work lon
inviting litigation. 80
He also suggested that former Gov ''e ---ee
nor Pennypacker could have halted -
e expenditure of SO 1000, 900 for fur 0'Oi
shings If Mr.. Pennypacker and his
leagues on the board had been more
tchful. He said that he did not i'm
Inc that Pennypacker was connected
any way with the alleged frauds. 9rio
Ter than that he had permitted them
exist without proper supervision "'
n the contracts made by the board. !ayl
to the letting of the metal An
furniture contract, Mr.. Stone de- oy u
red it was unlawful. unjust unne- prese
sary and unwarranted by prece- Deen
t." TaylC
and r