Smyrna times., 1907-04-24
They SPENT
MONEY BLINDLY
Pennsylvania Capitol PrObers Hear
Astounding Testimony.
FORMER TREASURER ON STAND

Harrisburg, Pa April 19.-Astound- |
ing testimony was given by Frank G. |
Harris, of Clearfeld a former state
treasurer, before the capitol investi-
eating commission. By virtue of his
Office as state treasurer he was men,
ber of the board of public grounds and
buildings, of which the governor and
the auditor general are also members.
During the time he was on the board,
from May, 1902, to May, 1904, the
number of contracts contemplated for
capitol furnishings amounted to many
millions of dollars. Two millions was
paid to the Pennsylvania Construction
company for metallic furniture; $6,-
100000 was expended for interior fur
nishings, and $3,000,000 was to have
been expended for beautifying Capitol
Park The contracts for the eXpendi-
ture of the $3,000,000 were cancelled
in January, 1906, or few months be-
fore William H. Berry became state
treasurer.
Harris was subjected to a most
vigorous examination by James Scar
let, leading counsel for the commits
sion. He was on the stand for three
hours, and hesitated frequently before
answering many of the attorneys ques-
tions. Harris contradicted himself fire.
quently. but was allowed by Scarlet to
correct his testimony. Scarlet brought
out the fact that the contract for the
metallic furniture was awarded long
before the sample of granite was Sc
1ected for the capitol, and nearly three
months before the contract for the
construction of the building was
awarded to George F. Payne & Com
pany.
During the examination of Harris it
! developed that Architect Joseph M.
Huston collected per cent. commits
sion on $200O,000 for designing the
metallic furniture, which had been de-
signed long before by the architect OF
the Construction company. Harris ad
mitted that the board spent money
blindly in furnishing the capitol and
that when the contract for the metallic
furniture was made there was no def
mite idea of the cost He thought il
would cost between 100000 and 5000,
900. and had not the slightest idea tha
it would amount to $2,000,000. He ex
planned that if he had any conception
that this furniture would have cos
$2.O0O.0O0 he would not have PLACED
his name to the contract
Harris then declared it was the dut,
of Huston, who was the boards archi
tect, to keep watch over the con
J tractors and see that all contracts wer
} faithfully fulfilled IF the architec
/ had been faithful in his duty" he wen
on, land had the contracts been live
+ up to as he could have forced them t
| believe there would have been n
trouble and that there would have bee
no scandal"
n Harris then explained that after tn
Pennsylvania Construction compan
G was ordered by the board to prepar
c plans and specifications for the m
: tallic furniture for the new capito
!. this order was rescinded and Arch
l. tect Huston was selected to prepaI
t new designs at commission of 4 pC
a cent.
L | ASktu ny Otdiltl II lutIC WdS ION
s specific place under each item in ii
# schedule for quantities, Harris replie
/. in the affirmative.
/. "And you ignored the law whiC
,f provides that quantities shall be sta
ed" said Scarlet.
"The board ignored the law becau
it was not practical" was the reply.
If Harris denied that there was al
understanding that John H. Sanderst
c & Co. was to be the only bidder f
,f the capitol furnishings, and that t
st Pennypacker resolution of April, 19(
h. was intended TO shut out competiti
M and favor Sanderson.
10 Testimony was also given that Ss
4 derson collected $72 pair for so pal
Of of specially designed colonial al
~ irons" and that these andirons we
%. really stock patterns and may
. bought for s23 a pair.