New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-02-07
HUNT FOR JERSEY GRAFT
Inquiry Begins on Courthouse,
Which Cost $4,000 900.
VELVET RUG FOR IANIE0R

Architects Assistant Says That
Was His Idea-Designer
Tells of Changed Plans.
The interesting DEVELOPMENT AZ the IN
vestigation yesterday in tho now County
| Courthouse. Jersey city, into the alleged
graft in the construction and furnishing OF
the building which cost $4,000. was thar
the original plan contemplated building
to cost 10000. It was brought out that
after tho plans had been accepted and me
! contracts awarded it was decided that
larger and moro ornate building was neces-
sary. that tho plans were changed and that
the contractors were allowed pav for the
extra work. Tho change from the plain to
the elaborate Fittings included velvet rug
for the JanitOr's room.
There was momentary shock OF sur
prise when it was brought out that the
plans for the metal furniture were prepared
by the designer Of the company that Sc
cured the contract. but the architect. Husn
Roberts. explained that. as no could no'
prepare the plans. the designer IN questio"
was employed on recomm. ndation mercy
as an expert: that bids were received Tor
the work. and tho contract was awarded 10
the Art Metal Company because 1t was the
lowest bidder by $1,000. and admitted that
it had erred i'm its estimate and lost money
on the job.
There were indications of trouble wheh
Supreme Court Justice Swayze arrived
punctually to find that only ono Of the
three members of the County Building Com
mittee was present commissioner James
p. McGovern. appointed recently 10 al the
vacancy caused by the dea.h Of Commits
soner Ripe. " was explained That COM
missioner A. j. Clement IS recovering from
an attack Of pneumonia and Commissioners
William Smith had gone West on bust
ness trip. Justice Swayze remarked that
Mr.. Smith knew that the investigation was
to go on and it was his duty TO be present
lie stated that he was ready 10 receive an
application for rule TO show cause why
Smith should not be punished for contempt
OF court. Then the fact became known
that subpcenas had not been served on tho
commissioners. Mr.. Roberts who arrived
half an hour late, was rebuked for being
tardy.
How the Plans Were Changed.
The investigation was ordered on the Pc
titon of twenty-five freeholders. who were
represented by former Attorney General
Robert NcCarter. Judge Charles l.. Car
rick. of the District Court. one of the sign
ers of the petition: Rynier j. Wortendyke
Mungo Curric, Joseph Anderson and John
w. Heck Ex-Justice Gilbert Collins. of the
Supreme Court. and ex-senator William II.
Edwards appeared FOR the building com
mittee, and Merritt Lane for Architect Rob
orts.
The architect stated on the stand that the
original plan was for a small, cheap struct-
urc. Later the committee Of the Board OF
Freeholders which had charge Of the con-
struction agreed that a better building
should be erected. The specifications for
these changes were not made competitive,
as all architects and contractors recognize
the rule that extra work is to he done by
the general contractor with the approval
Of the architect, the witness said Bronze
was substituted for wood and iron and
marble for composition.
When asked why the bronze and marble
had been substituted. Mr. Roberts said that
examinations Of public buildings in Wash
lington Baltimore Pittsburg and other cit
les revealed the fact that the iron rusted
and the composition cracked
Mr.. McCartcr asked why a lighting con-
tract was awarded for 10000 when the
lighting OF the Newark City Hall cost only
sll.0Gn. why this great difference he
asked
Il was not aware Of that, but am not
surprised" said the witness.
There is difference between the artistic
and commercial way Of looking At things
interjected Justice Swayze.
Hurry Job; No Competition
Mr. Roberts, resumng, said that there
were three bidders for the work. and the
contract was awarded 10 Cassidy. Of New
ark. whose designs seemed to him 10 he
the best The architect said there was
nothing sighted as much AK the fixtures.
The light bulbs. which cost s9.ooo were
not put in tho Cassidy contract, and diff
| ferent bulbs we're used IN tho different
rooms His reply 10 the query why there
! had been no competition on the bulbs was:
we were rushed to death to get the
interior finished. The judges were con-
FINALLY urging US to hurry the work"
The contract for metal furniture. he
said. was awarded 10 the Metal Art Com
pany. of jamestown. y y. - There were
two other bidders. This company was not
| identical with the jamestown Metal Com
pany. which also bid they We're opposi-
ton concerns. lie stated that the Specl-
/ hcatons for the furniture were prepared
with the aid of the designer Of the COM
pdny that got the contract. The mural
decorations were included in tho contract
for $4,000 for tho telephone booth. mail
chutes and cuspidors. The mural paint
ings cost $4,000. The specifications were
prepared with tho assistance of Frank
! Millet. tho artist. who secured the con-
tract for the painting Mr. Roberts said
| he figured the cost at 80 cents a cubic
/ foot. which s. 10 cents less a cubic foot
than the figures for the Newark Court
! house
! The Investigation will bc continued to.