Smyrna times., 1907-06-12
FRAUD IN CAPITOL
WORK DISCLOSED
Experts Say Lighting Fixtures We're
Lead d With Scrap.
FHE SPECIFICATIONS IGNORED

Harrisburg, Pa, June S.-After
hearing the testimony of the bankers
with whom the contractors for the
new capitol furnishings did business
and the reports of experts on lighting
fix lures the capitol investigation COM
mission sat in the attic of the Dufld-
ing to physically examine these fix
lures that were taken apart by its
experts. The purpose of this physical
examination was to demonstrate how
John II. Sanderson. of Philadelphia,
by whom S2.OO0,O0O worth of fixtures
were supplied to the state at the con-
tract price OF $4.S5 per pound" had
disregarded the specifications, which
called Tor a composition of 81 per cent.
copper and 13 tin and for a mercurial
gold finish.
The experts marveled in their re
ports, that any reputable contractor
would furnish such substitutions and
inaccurate weights in the face of COM
mercialism. They indicated that not
only neglectful tendency, but Grim
inal disregard OF the specifications,
was evident.
One by one the samples were
brought before the experts and found
to be as they were represented in their
reports Some were loaded so heavily
that it took three and four men to
handle them. Mercurial gold was
found to be lacking. some parts of the
fixtures being found FURNISHED and
turning black from an exposure of
only a few months. The experts said
that mercurial gold. properly put on
such work, should last a lifetime. The
lacquer finish furnished by Sanderson
requires only a slight dipping" to
make an imitation of the gold speci-
fed. A solid ring of metal, weighing 20
pounds, was found within some fix
lures. which the experts explained was
done to add to the weight
The experts testified to finding
weighty bands or rings in other fix
lures that added 100 pounds to their
total weights. They explained that
these bands should not have been
cast to weigh more than so pounds.
Some of the fixtures showed frac-
tured castings that the experts
declared were dangerous, and in tine
would cause them to fall The sub
stance of the filler was found to be
cheap scrap" brass worth about %
cents a pound.
One exhibit was a double reflector
fixture taken from the governors
suite. Instead OF rejecting it was
shown to absorb the light. 1t weighed
Sc pounds. and was sold to the state
for S279 An iron pipe Weighing II
pounds was declared to be worth 20
cents pound and was paid for by the
state at the rate of S485 per pound. "
Another reflector that the experts
said did not reject and was wholly
unnecessary was exhibited. It weighed
81 pounds. and was furnished by San
derson to the state at s402.57 On one
piece of fixture weighing 100 pounds,
Sanaorson's overCharge was SG45. ac
cording to the experts.
One expert testified that certain fix
lures were so faulty in construction
that they mieht fell at any time. The
experts estimate that 100000 would
have been a fair price for the fixtures
for which Sanderson collected $1,000.
COO from the state.
The purpose Of calling the bankers
was not made plain. 1t was said that
the commission was looking for GER
tain checks that were supposed to
have been given by Sanderson. George
F. Payne and other contractors for
Influential services. The bankers sub
mitted transcripts Of their accounts
with the contractors. but the with
drawal checks did not indicate the
payees. having been made out pay
able to bearer in every case.