The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-17
EIGHTEEN GRAFTERS.
Criminal Suits Urged Against That
Number i'm Pennsylvania.

Harrisburg, Pa. Aug. 17.-Crimlnai
and civil proceedings against all per-
sons concerned in the fraudulent
| transactions in connection with the con-
struction and furnishing of Pennsyl-
yania'S $13, 900, 900 capitol is recon-
mended in the final report of the CAPT.
toll investigation commission, made to
Governor Stuart. Eighteen persons
are named in the report as being in
volved and the attorney general,
through the governor, is urged to act
at once The persons ~named and
against whom either criminal or civil
suits are recommended are:
John H Sanderson of Philadelphia,
contractor for furnishing; Joseph M.
Huston, architect. and Stanford Lewis,
his assistant; J. M. Shumaker of
Johnstown, former superintendent of
the board of public grounds and
buildings; w. H. Snyder and E. B.
Hardenburg, former auditors general
w. L. Mathues and Frank G. Harris,
former state treasurers: Congressman
P. Burd Cassell, president OF the Fenn-
sylvania Construction company Wnlch
supplied the metallic castings ana 1ur-
niture; George F. Payne. who oullt
the capitol, and his partner, Charles
G. Wetter; Charles P. Kinsman, Wallls
Boileau. John G.. Neuderer and George
K. Storm, who organized the PehnSyl5
vania Bronze company. which suppiIeo
the loaded lighting fixtures to SANGER
son Frank Irvine. an auditor IN the
auditor generals office; George Z.
Towne, bookkeeper under Shumaker'
and the International Manufacturing
& Supply company, which bid against
Sanderson for the capitol furnishing
contract
The name of Governor Penny
packer, who by virtue of his office
was a member of the board of pub
lie grounds and buildings which let
the furnishings contracts, and those
of former Governor Stone and his
associates who made up the commits
cd fIn 20 0ff O1
are not mentioned in the list of per-
sons against whom the investigators
recommend that action be taken.
Senator A. C. Dewalt and Repre-
sentative r. Scott zimmerman, the
Democratic members of the commits
sion, presented a brief supplemental
report, in which they specificaffy
name most of those already men
toned as criminally and civily liable
for the frauds against the state. They
are in entire accord with the report
Of the Republican members, and pre-
sented their supplement as fur
Their expression of their individual
views The commission says it was
able to ascertain by testimony that
goods costing $1.574,399 were sold to
the state by Sanderson and the Penn
sylvania Construction company for
$6,434,74S, a profit of $4,S60,S49.
governor by Chairman Fisher. in the
presence of the commission. After
receiving 1t. Governor Stuart issued
statement in which he said:
"I will transmit the report to the
attorney general for his action. and 1
can assure the people of Pennsyl-
vania that there will be a vigorous
prosecution of every person whom the
evidence may show to have been gull
ty Of any criminal offense in connec-
ton with the construction and fur
nishing of the state capitol.
wherever the evidence submitted
shows that there has been any money
wrongfully or fraudulently taken from
the state treasury. civil suits will be
commenced to compel restitution.
attorney General Todd is in
Maine. but he will return in time to
prepare for beginning criminal pro-
ceedings in the Dauphin county court
in September. His. office force has
already begun work on the papers.
The commonwealth will be represent
ed by the attorney general and his
deputies and State Senator Fox of
this city. and David T. Watson of
Pittsburg, will be associated with the
attorney general as advisory counsel"