The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1907-06-29
FRAUD IS PROVED
Investigation of Penna. Capt.
toll Ends.
PROSECUTIONS TO FOLLOW

CommIoS1On VIII Report 70 SoSStHo'
Quickly and Civil and Criminal Suits
VIII BE Instituted - Ex-Governor
stone the Last Witness.
HARRISBURG, Pa, June 29-The public
sessions of the capitol Investigation
commission were brought to q 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-
nm on March II and continued since
Without interruption, except during
he dosing days in the recent leg1sla-
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
eeurt AGAINST those responsible for the
ALLEGED frauds and overcharges In the
furnishing of the capitol.
TIE report eft the commission Will
stnAe that there was COLLISION and
frand between Joseph M. Huston,
architect, and John H. Sanderson, con-
tractor, for $4,000. 600 Of the furnish
hag: that the contracts for the Turn
A.l1ags were Improperly awarded and
aSt to the lowest bidders: that the
eools were not purchased at the pre-
yniling market prices, as the law d.
aoets they must be; that inferior furn-
lghings were supplied, net in accord
aaoe with the plans and specifications.
ana that there is evidence OF shortage
ana that the members OF the building
eemuission and the board OF grounds
anA buildings were derelict in their
duties In not inspecting the evident
fraaA and collision that existed.
Much Of the testimony taken by the
investigators will be used In the legal
rreeeedings. Huston and Sanderson
SvaAeA subpoenas to appear before the
eounission and tell their stories. Con-
gresham Burd Cassel, president OF the
Pennsylvania Construction company,
which supplied the metallic furniture
q cost to the state of 1900, 600, also
leGaanod to appear before the commits
Aoa-
Mr.. Stones testimony was frank
1hroughout He took no blame upon
himself, as there were no charges that
fraud had been committed by the
building commission. He character
leeA Huston as man that had aroused
lie suspicion Of the commission and
declared that the architect had to be
vatehsd to keep him from exceeding
~ appropriation Of 100000 for the
saeiAol. He appreciated the architects
Professional abilities and declared that
Ao was . dreamer, man given to fan
de-. and not at all capable az q
ba1ids1.
n. Stone admitted that the building
ooonisslon had suspicious as to Hus-
toass business qualifications, but Its
nsubsrs thought it best to continue
WITH him rather than delay the work
b inviting litigation.
He also suggested that former Gov
ognof Pennypacker could have halted
the expenditure of 100000 for fur
niohings If Mr.. Psnnypacker and his
colleagues on the board had been more
wa4ehful. He said that he did not I'M
asans that Pennypacker was connected
In any way with the alleged frauds,
ether than that he had permitted them
= exist without proper supervision
ever the contracts made by the board.
Relating to the letting of the metal
- furniture contract, Mr.. Stone de-
dared It was unlawful, unjust, unne-
oossary and unwarrantsd by prece-
do1ks