Smyrna times., 1907-07-03
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 capi-
toll 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 80 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 $5,OOO,O0O 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-
tskings were supplied, not in accord
ance with the plans and specifications,
and that there is evidence of shortage
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.
Much Of the testimony taken by the
Investigators will be used in the legal
proceedings. Huston and Sanderson
evaded subpoenas to appear before the
commission and tell their stories. Con-
gresham Burd Cassel, president of the
Pennsylvania Construction company,
which supplied the metallic furniture
at a cost to the state of 81, ,000, 900, also
declined to appear before the commits
sion.
Mr.. Stones testimony was frank
throughout. He took no blame upon
himself, as there were no charges that
fraud had been committed by the
building commission. He character
ized Huston as man that had aroused
the suspicion of the commission and
declared that the architect had to be
watched to keep him from exceeding
the appropriation of s4.OOO,OOO for the
capitol He appreciated the architects
professional abilities and declared that
he was a dreamer, a man given to fan
cies, and not at all capable as a
builder.
Mr.. Stone admitted that the building
commission had suspicious as to Hus-
toms business qualifications, but its
members thought it best to continue
with him rather than delay the work
bv inviting litigation.
He also suggested that former Gov
ernor Pennypacker could have halted
the expenditure of S9,O00.0 900 for fur
nishings if Mr.. Pennypacker and his
colleagues on the board had been more
watchful He said that he did not i'm
agine that Pennypacker was connected
in any way with the alleged frauds.
other than that he had permitted them
TO exist without proper supervision
over the contracts made by the board
Relating to the letting of the metal
lie furniture contract. Mr.. Stone de-
claTed it was unlawful. unjust, unne-
cessary and unwarranted by prece-
dent"