New-York tribune., 1920-11-13

letters referred to prepared he would
be clad to send them out. Mr. Snyder,
however, could throw no light on these
prepared letters. He didn't have any,
he said.
The next communication was let
ter dated January IT, 1919. written by
Arthur S. Somers, president of the
Board OF Education, TO Mr.. Wilsey. A.
tached to it was n memorandum men
tioning a Mr. Gross. acting secretary
Of the board at the time.
Hylan Told of Change
The letter reads
Dear MIR. Wilsey: 7 have your let
ter of the 18th inst, nclosing copy
of report from Mr.. Synder. in regard
to the use Of cut stone in school
buildings. If it is your Judgment that
the use of this material is to be ap-
proved over terra Gotta and it viii not
add to the cxpcgse Of construction, /
would ask that you authorize Mr.
Snyder in his plans to specify that
or new buildings and request Mr.
Gross to notify the parties interested
, III our decision and also send letter
to His Honor the Mayor.
Memorandum for Mr. Gross. Please
communicate with the various associa-
tions referred to in Mr.. Wilsey's letter
to Mr.. Somers under date of January
Is, advising them Of the action of the
board in deciding to recommend the
use of cut stone for the lower portion
o. school buildings.''
Cut Stone Men Busy
A letter of January Is. from Mr..
Wilsey to Mr.. Somcrs, reads:
"My Dear Mr.. Somers: Recently
seven representatives of the cut stone
| Justry called on me and later re-
&C wed various communications regard
ing the decision to increase the use of
ornamental! terra Gotta on the exterior
cf our school buildings, making it an
alternative to cut stone, in the con-
tractors discretion, in order to reduce
It tc the lowest possible cost.
"Thesc papers referred to Supern-
tcndent Snyder for investigation and
report. This he submitted to me few
days ago. A copy of this report am
! transmitting for your information. |
agree with Mr. Snyder that cut stone is
much to be r~nferred at least in the
lower stories ut q rchool buildings,
and would recomn.-rn he be auth
orized to specify the san III all plans
and specifications for new buildings.
Such as are already prepared to be
changed accordingly.
If you agree with me would sug-
) u
to communicate with The various cut
stone workers associations and in
form them of our decision and that the
Mayor, who was a Zee plent OF some OF
the protests, be also advised of the
action taken. An extra copy Of Mr.
Snyder's report is enclosed for trans
mission to him should you deem it ad-
visable"
\ letter, dated January -, from Mr.
Wiisey to M Somers, reads.
"Doa~ Mr. Somers: Confirming my
conversation with you ON January 20
rerarding the use of cut stone for the
basement ana first story Of future
-~hool buildings, transmitted Ia
Superintendent Snyder the result Of
our conversations. which has led him
to direct Mr. Dobbin, the Deputy Su-
perintendent of School Buildings in
charge OF dlafting division, as per
copy Of letter attached. I trust this
concurs in what we determined at the
time | talked with you"
One Contract Unchanged
1t was at this point that Snyder said
on the stand that the specifications
had been changed in accordance with
instructions. All were changed, re
said, except those for schools No. 2a
in Brooklyn and Nos. 6 and 81 in the
Bronx.
Nov the letter referred 10 in MI
Wilseys letter to Nh Somers." add cd
Mr.. Untermyer. "is dated January %
1t is a letter 10 Mr.. Doobin. deputy
superintendent OF buildings and reads :
Dear Sir: This is TO confirm my ora,
message that Vice President Wilsay
advised me that President Somers has
agreed as TO the use OF at stone or
the exterior Of the building for the
basement and first story, including the
main entrance; facia up to the second
story. as well as the balance of tn,