The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1907-06-21
FOOLED PENNYPACKER
Ponna. Board Of Public Build
mas Deceived the Governor.
CONCEALED EXPENDITURES
Former Governor Had Contrast Fol-
Furnishings Revoked When He
Learned Of Immense Cost Bills
Paid Before Berry Took Office.

Furnishings Revoked When He
Learned Of Immense Cost - Bills
!, Paid Before Berry Took Office.
Harrisburg, Pa, June 21.-That the
beard Of public grounds and buildings
approved without question all bills
endorsed by Architect Huston for en-
belhshing the new capitol was one
q the leading features before the
Investigation commission. Virtually
al the settlements were made by the
states fiscal officers just prior to
saats Treasurer Berry's inception into
o1co. The minutes of the board were
shown to be Incomplete, and no refer
enoo whatever appeared In them de-
falling conferences that were held
pxlor to letting important contracts
- John H. Sanderson, who collected
absut $4,000, 900 from the state.
John Z. Stott, secretary Of the board
q public grounds and buildings. was
the only witness.
soett's testimony dealt with the pro-
ooedlngs of the board In its relation
- sQuipping the building. Special ref'
srense was made to the 100000 con-
tract of the Pennsylvania Construc.
ton company for metallic furniture
for which Stott admitted plans had
been approved in the temporary ab'
ssnoe of Governor Stone by Auditor
General Hardenbergh and State Treas
urer Harris q few days before Stone
went out of office. The minutes OF
the board at which this action was
taken were not read at the next ses.
sioa. ct which Governor Pennypackei
took Governor Stones place as presi'
dent
It was also shown that Pennypacke,
was In ignorance of what was being
expsaded by the board for furnishing
the capitol until about 100000 OF
ne $1,000, 900 worth Of bills had been
paad. The first intimation the former
governor had of the enormous cost OF
these furnishings was given him by
lii colleague, Auditor General Sny'
der, In December, 1905, long after all
the contracts had been let.
M. Scarlet also brought out that
s,en the schedule of state supplies OF
1874 George F. Payne & Co. was given
Q contract on q single item for marble
anA granite without competition. and
that this contract involved an expen.
Aiturs of from $4,000. 900 to $4,000, 000
for the establishment Of the capitol
oneunds according to- plans prepared
b. Architect Huston This contract
vas later revoked by the board
against Payns's protest, because OF
lndignation expressed At q mass meet
ing Of the people Of Harrisburg against
that part of the plans calling for q
wall around the capitol grounds.
III. Scarlet also brought out that
af&s Huston was selected by the
hard Is architect for the capitol en-
bsllishments he appeared before that
body and explained that the cost OF
the items In the schedule upon which
Danderson was given his $5,0O0,0 900
oontract would be from 100000 to
oooe, 900. When Snyder told Penny
packer that 81. OO0. 900 had already been
S1osnded on the capitol furnishings
the eovsrnor sent for the architect and
asked him what would be the total
cost Of all the furnishings. Huston re-
Dlisd he could not give the exact
owount and that the furnishings might
eeos - much as $16,0Oo,000. The
haarA Ut Pennypacker's suggestion,
lumsdiaAsly revoked the contract for
ouDaishings which would involve . to
IT expenditure of 100000.
Il was also brought out that q few
lays before State Treasurer Mathues
so1l1ol from the board, In May, 1906,
anA his place was taken by William H.
DssE3. bills aggregating nearly $1,000
90. for capitol furnishings, were ap-
proved and ordered to be paid. Be-
iwDea March and May, 1905, the board
~ bills aggregating $4,000. 600 for
furnishings.