The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1907-06-08
FRAUD EXPOSED
Lighting Fixtures Of Penna
Capitol Loaded With Scrap.
SPECIFICATIONS IGNORED

Experts Declare Actions Of Contrac-
tors Criminal and Say State Paid
100000 For 100000 Worth of
Lighting Fixtures.
Harrisburg, Pa, June 8.-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
ytures the capitol investigation COM
mission sat in the attic of the build
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 H. Sanderson, of Philadelphia.
by whom 100000 worth of fixtures
were supplied to the state at the con-
tract price of $4.S5 per pound" had
disregarded the specifications, which
called for composition of 81 per cent.
copper and Is tin and for 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 a neglectful tendency. but a 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 1t 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 q few months. The experts said
that mercurial gold, properly put on
such work. should last 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 time
would cause them to fall. The sub
stance of the filler was found to be
cheap scrap" brass worth about 20
cents q pound.
One exhibit was double reflector
fixture taken from the governors
suite. Instead of rejecting 1t was
shown to absorb the light. 1t weighed
Sc hounds, and was sold to the state
for $279. 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 $4.S5 per pound
Another reflector that the experts
said did not reflect and was wholly
unnecessary was exhibited. 1t weighed
81 pounds, and was furnished by San
derson to the state at $402.57. On one
piece of fixture Weighing 100 pounds.
Sanderson's overcharge was $646, &C
cording to the experts.
One expert testified that certain nix
lures were SO faulty In construction
that they might fall at any time. The
experts estimate that 100000 would
have been a fair price for the fixtures
for which Sanderson collected $4,000
900 from the state.
The purpose of calling the bankers
was not made plain. It 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.