Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-06-10
THOUSANDS MADE
BY Stone FRAUD,
CONTRACTOR SAYS
Lie Passed Between Architect
and Builder at Overlook
Asylum Probe.

Richard E. H%eningham, general con-
tractor, and Frederick w. Shrump, sub
contractor on the stone work in the
construction of the Essex County
ASYLUM for the Insane at Overlook,
testified before the Overlook APP
praisal Commission yesterday after
noon.
The testimony of the two men was
at direct variance on one point. Shrump
stated under oath that at the orders
of birmingham, the general contractor,
he had furnished stone of an inferior
grade for use In below-grade work.
"The saving in stone inc labor to the
contractor in this instance amounts to
thousands of dollars. l have the actual
figures and can furnish them to you.
said Shrump.
This testimony was given after Hem
ingham had left the meeting room, ana
he had no chance to dispute it yester-
day. Just before leaving the meeting
Heningham had been asked by Chair
IVAN Hunt, of the commission, II he
knew Of any dishonest transactions or
irregularities in his work or of anyone
belse connected with the construction
work. You can answer that question
In public or in private just as you de-
sire said Mr.. Hunt.
IT will answer it in public right
nowi" was the quick reply of Hening-
ham. "As far as l know, everything
in connection with the work Is as
straight as can be. The institution is
we'll built, and everything is right
under my OATH"
sub-Contractor Accuses Architect.
A suit over alleged poo stone fur
nished by Shrump to birmingham Is
now pending, and although Shrump
was in the room for almost an hour
while Heningham was testifying,
neither man spoke to the,other. Shrump
sat across the room and glared at Hen
ingham and Heningham glared right
back in return.
After Heningham had testified that
he had awarded his ~sub-contracts in
the same manner as in all large jobs
and that no favoritism had been shown
in any instance, he was asked about
the poor stone work at Overlook. He
said he himself had discovered poor
stone and had rejected a lot OF it be-
fore any outsider had called attention
to It.. He admitted that about 10 per
cent. of the stone was taken out and
replaced. This amount is slightly in
excess of what it should be on a job
the magnitude of the one at Over
brook he testified.
When Shrump took the stand he was
plunged light INTO the stone contract
at once. II was to furnish No. 1 stone
"a 90 m A.l No q 1Ynt,a for H1 E0 q ron y
said Shrump. above grade No. / stone
was to be used, but .Heningham and
Hurd. one of the architects, came to
me and told me to furnish No. 2 stone"
you say birmingham and Hurd told
you to furnish No 2 stone for below
grade, instead of No ~" queried Mr..
Guild. How much was saved that
way?"
Probers warn Lawyer.
thousands of dollars" was the re-
ply. Mr.. Shrump hen protested about
answering questions as to the durability
of the work, as County Counsel Mum,
whose firm is counsel for birmingham
in his suit against Shrump. was in the
room. After Shrump had been prom
ised all protection by the commission
he started in to tell of the work, but
was Interrupted by a question from Mr..
Mum. Mum was told by Chairman
Hunt that he would AVE to keep still
or leave the room. Mum got up and
left the room.
Shrump then told that $500 ton of
stone were used in the entire job and
that he furnished 5,637 tons OF that
mount.
Shrump swore that of the 5,637 tons
there were 4,06S tons of the No. 2. or
81 90 a ton. variety.
After the commission had adjourned
to meet again on June 20 Architect
Ben f. Hurd had a brief but heated
argument with Mr.. Shrump, during
which the lie direct was passed by
Eurd.
Hard asked Shrump how he had come
to say that Hurd. with birmingham. had
ordered him to send No. 2, instead of
mo. / stone, to Overlook.
y II didn't say that" replied Shrump.