Milford chronicle., 1907-03-22
CONTRACTOR MADE
HUGE PROFITS
Got s9O,74S For $1,000 ROstrums in
Pennsylvania Capitol
PUTTY COMPOSITION WOODWORK

Harrisburg, Pa, March 20. - The
capitol investigating committee re-
sumed its inquiry into the cost of the
new state capitol. The testimony
showed that John H. Sanderson &
Company, of Philadelphia, contractors
for furnishing the capitol, was paid
by the state $90,74S.40 for the rostrums
in the senate and house caucus rooms.
The sub-contractors for this work tes-
titled that he was paid $4,000 by San
dersOn for these rostrums. The testi-
mony of the same sub-contractor
showed that Sanderson's profit on the
finished woodwork in IA other rooms
in the building amounted to $685.
64560.
Murray Gibson, who was an unsuc-
cessful bidder against Sanderson for
the contract for decorating and paint
ing the building, testified that there
was-a difference of $1991a a foot in
favor of the state in his bid and that
Of Sanderson, and that if the state had
accepted his bid the state would have
saved more than 100000 on this item
alone, and he (Gibson) would have
made nice profit.
None of the witnesses who were ask
ed about the per foot" and the per
pound" rule under which Sanderson
was paid for the capitol furnishings
ever heard of this rule until 1t was
employed in the furnishing Of the
new copitol. The testimony showed
AhnA oil 1awua v,rOfffd In
the contracts for the parquetry floor
ing and the thermostats in the build
ing.
John F. Wilt, of Philadelphia, sub
contractor for finished woodwork in
the building, was the first witness. He
furnished for Payne & Company the
doors, picture rail, chair rail and the
wainscoting and woodwork in various
rooms to the amount of $154,200 and
some extras. He also did some work
for Sanderson, including the rostrums
for the senate and house caucus rooms,
amounting to $2O6O, and the supreme
court room rostrum for S2596.
Mr.. Wilt said he had an under
standing with Architect Huston that a
great deal of the finished woodwork
which he furnished should be putty
composition" It was an imitation OF
mahogany and cost so per cent. less
than mahogany.
'How would you estimate this work
by the per foot rule?" asked Senator
Fisher. chairman of the commission.
"Oh, l don't know anything about
that. l never heard of it before"
James Cameron, auditor for the cap
itol investigating commission, was
called to show the cost to the state OF
the rostrums in the senate and house
caucus rooms. He produced the item
ized accounts of Sanderson, which
showed that he was paid $90,74S.4O for
these two rostrums, a profit to the con-
tractor of $SS,6S8.SO Mr.. Cameron
was then asked by Mr.. Scarlet to say
what the designed woodwork in IA
other rooms of the capitol cast the
state. These rooms, Mr.. Wilt testified,
were finished by his firm for Sander
son for $2S,724. Mr.. Cameron testified
that the cost to the state for this
work was S155, ,369.6O. a profit to San
derson of $126,645.S0.
Robert Scott, of Philadelphia, who
furnished the thermostats to Sander
son for the capitol, testified that he
was paid $18,6S5 for the specially de
signed thermostatic installation in the
building.
How many thermostats were IN
stalled in the building?" asked Mr..
Scarlet.
1.-TWO hundred and seventy-three.
The state paid Sanderson $59,4OS
for the thermostats.
Kennedy Duff, of the johnson Ser
vice company, of Narberth, sub-con-
tractor under Scott & company for
thermostats testified that his company
was paid $4,000 for their work, making
a total cost of the installation $24,-
$3.50.
"Are 1863 thermostats necessary in
this building?" asked Senator Fisher.
eyes, sir; in some rooms 1t was
necessary to put in four"
Mr.. Cameron was called, and said
that Sanderson charged for 67S ther-
mostats, showing the disposition OF
AIT thermostats in the building.