Smyrna times., 1907-05-08
CRIMINAL ACTION
IN CAPITOL JOB
Governor Stuart Determined to Pun
iSh Guilty Persons.
HUGE PROFITS ON FURNISHINGS

Harrisburg, Pa, May 3-The capitol
investigating commission issued an
ftemized statement showing the cost
to the state for furnishing the house
library and the reception and private
rooms Of the resident clerk Of the
house. The metallic cases in these
apartments were supplied II he Penn
sylvania Construction . Sany, of
Marietta, Pa. and the other furnish
ings by John H. SandersCn & Co., Of
Philadelphia. Architect Joseph NJ. Hus-
ton was paid a commission of per
cent. by the state for designing the
furnishings the total cost of which
was $104,732.94. The library cost S72,-
907S9; the private room, S20,115.23
and the reception room $11,709S2. The
commissions auditors estimate that
the progts of the two firms on these
furnishings were from 500 to 1000 per
cent.
The preliminary report of the audi
tors shows the cost of the trimmings"
OF the house caucus room in detail. 1t
follows: Chandeliers, $17,450; brack
cts, $400l.25; desk lights, $242.50; bac-
carat glass, $1279.SO; parquetry floor
ings, $1915.20; carpet, $921.31; chairs,
$19.169.40; sofas, $4153.6O; tables.
S625.6O; silk curtains. $1486.94; paint
ing and decorating $945O; thermO-
stats, $158; rostrum, 5,GO4.S0. Total.
$117258.4O.
The cost in detail of the trim.
mings" in the senate caucus room fol-
lows: Chandeliers, $14.622.70; brack-
cts. $7396.25; desk lights S242.50; bac-
carat glass, $1315.35; cement flooring,
$23664; parquetry flooring. $14382O;
carpet s755.S2; chairs, $1O,O23.SO; So
fas, $3O96; tables, s13984O; silk cur
tains, $1115.20; painting and decorat-
ing, $11,22156; thermostats, $237; ros-
trum, S95. .144. Total SSS,242.97.
The profits on these furnishings are
estimated at 1000 per cent.
James Scarlet, chief counsel of the
commission, has been asked by Attor-
ney General Todd to take charge of
the proposed criminal and civil suits
against certain persons involved in the
capitol scandal. No action will be
taken, however. until after the CON-
mission completes it's inquiry and
makes a final report.
Criminal prosecutions will be a Ger
tain result OF the capitol investigation
Following the report of the probers, a
recommendation will be made by Gov
ernor Stuart thar at least three per
sons prominently identified with the
construction and furnishing of the
state building be placed under arrest
This statement was made on good au
thOrity.
The suits will be based on the tes
timony showing that the contractor
collected from the state for 752 ther
mostate and installed only 1863, ar(
on the substitution of domestic fol
Baccarat glass, and an inferior glas
for Tiffany favrile. John H. Sander
son e Co, general contractors for tn,
furnishings Joseph NJ. Huston, archi
tect for the building commission, ant
also the board OF grounds and build
ings. and James H. Shumaker, fOrme
superintendent of grounds and build
ings. are among those involved in tn
scandal.
The commission issued the follow
ing formal statement:
at the executive session of tn
capitol investigating commission
was decided 10 dispense with publ
hearing of testimony until the report
of the auditors and experts now a
work are completed.
The examination of all bidders an
sub-contractors within reach of tn
commissions subpoena has been abor
completed. It is essential for the wor
Of the commission that before goin
into the final line of inquiry that a
possible information be in possessio
of the commission and its counsel. FC
these reasons as well as the furtht
one of securing time to make scare
for additional testimony, the actio
was taken
ct was also decided by the commi
sion to have prepared and presente
to the legislature a resolution permi
ting the capitol investigating commi
sion to continue it's work after the a
journment of the session."