Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-03-10
COPPER NEVER PUT
ON ASYLUM ROOF,
PROBERS LEARN
Grand Jury investigates Alleged
Rebates Allowed to Sub
Contractors at Overlook.

With Frederick o. Runyon, an cleo
trical expert and adjuster, as n OF
the principal witnesses, the grand jury
will end it's probe for this week
into the cost of construction at
the County Hospital for the In
sane at Overlook late this after
noon. Mr.. Runyon was the first wit
ness whose name was called by that
body when it started on this phase OF
the probe into the asylum's affairs yes
terday afternoon, but as he was not
present the probe proceeded without
him. He said that he expected to be
called and remained in the city Tor
fhat purpose, but was unavoidably de-
tajned. Herbert +. j. Bartlett, cleo
trical Inspector for the architects, Hurd
q sutton. will be called also.
For three hours yesterday the jurors
dug and delved in the cost of construe-
tion, and chief among the facts CLEANED
was that a quantity of copper was
missing from the roofs of the pullu-
ings. The specifications called Tor d
ten-inch flashing. This was, in turn
covered by tar paper and then slated.
1t is now charged that ten inches Oh
copper were not placed on building No.
and that in some instances 1t varied
from five TO nine inches.
" The contract was gwen TO James
Ryrd. of Philadelphia, and he also Will
he asked today 10 tell the jurors what
he knows about The matter. Wheh
he took the contract he gave a five
Wear guarantee and he is under bond
Tor the faithful performance of the
work.
When former County Supervisor job
+. Otterbein. who was first called yes
to-day afternoon. was quizzed he SAID
that former jurors had declared thdt
the institution was all right and the
costly additions, about which there
had been much talk, were necessary
Supervisor Fred L.. Baldwin, Mr.. %
terbein's successor. although not reg
ularly subpoenaed, was next called
.pon for the enlightenment OF the Juf-
vrs and the same line of questions was
lat 10 him, viii e former
Edward c. Eaton, who was at II time
chairman of the committee on pubic
buildings. vas questioned about the
flooring of some parts OF the building.
which. he said, was found to have been
satisfactory,
The cost of the carpets, laundry ma
chinery and flooring was up to harry
Il. O'Connell. Mr.. l;atons successor as
chairman until elected Il member oil the
Board OF Works, and he told the jurors
that he had no fault 10 find either with
the flooring or the machinery, while the
carpets were bought before his time.
Benjamin F. Hurd and his partner.
Frederick Sutton. the architects of the
big plant. were among those that were
also quizzed. Their testimony was as
10 the specifications and the amounts oil
The rebates allowed to the sub-con-
tractors after certain changes had been
ordered to be made. Mr.. Sutton was
closeted With the jurors for nearly an
hour. white MIR. Hurd, who was there
also for a considerable length OF time,
assured the jurors. il is said. that Rich
ard T.. Henninghan1, the general con-
was under a bond of 500, GOO.
and had ST., 900 held back for adjust
ncnt in ease that the work was not
satisfactory. He was sure that II was,
lie said. while Mr.. Byrd was ready to
make up any possible shortage of cop
FER ut any time. Three tons were used
on the building.
There will be two more days hearing
next week and his will end the in
'~Vestigation.