New-York tribune., 1920-11-13

more or less limestone as the case might
be-
Il do not quite understand the refer
ence 10 the matter as Involving mil
lions Of dollars since it is estimated
that the total cost of limestone, where
used in the school buildings now under
construction, will not exceed $3.50 ,O00.
enclosed herewith please find copies
Of my report and letters on this mat
ter. together With a photo of Public
School 81 tho Bronx, dated July 8,
1920. showing terra Gotta as used in
exterior.
"Ncry Truly yours.
&C. B. j. SNYDER,
Superintendent of School Buildings"
The repeated clashes called fortn by
this 'ettcr were Joined in during the
afternoon by Corporation Counsel Burr.
who acted as the Mayors aid in the
running fight. This phase Of the ses-
sion came to q climax when the Mayor
and Mr. O'Bricn insisted on asking
Snyder, then on the stand. some ques-
lions
"Sit down and write them OUT"
snapped MIR. untermycr. who was sup
ported in all his rulings by Chairman
Lockwood. Snyder had testified that
limestone had been substituted for
terra Gotta in the schools because they
were best suited for the work" The
Mayor apparently wanted Snyder to go
on in similar strain. and insisted Oh
putting questions to Snyder, Mr.. Uu
termycr objected.
Mayors Rights Defined
Il demand the right as the Mayor OF
the city," finally exclaimed the Mayor.
to which Mr. lntermyor retortel:
The Mayor has no more rights than
any other citizen before the state lel
.slativc committee"
al there is Il covert attack on me
have the right to ccme and defend my
self and ask questions to bring out the
truth,' went cl, the " a. Nor.
1t was finally ruled THAI If the Mayor
wanted TO ask the witness any ques-
tens he was to write them out and
they would be put to the witness by
.hc committees counsel
He availed himself of tho privilege
twice dur ng t.-e afternoon.
Mr.. Untermyer began the eXamina-
tion Of Snyder with request for de
tails on The appropriat ons for schools
and the number of schools provided
for. Snyder said that an appropria-
ton Of $4,000 900 had been made for
twenty-five schools on December 30,
1913; that another %7 coo 600 was ap-
propriated on December 30 Of 1919 for
twenty-one more and some Other build
ines. and that an additional So 100000
was set aside in January of this year.
Doesn't know of Ring
"Navc you noticed" asked MIR. Inter
myeN, "that the mcu who got the con
'lActs for the plumbing, heating and
,ontiatine in the buildings so far CON
ttac,od for were members OF the Het
trich ling Of contractors subscribing tc
the Code Of Practice %"
Mr.. Snyder said he didn't know wh'
tLcSe men We're and so didn't know
whether they were in the Code 0
i'racticc' or not.
Here Mr.. Untermyer brought forth .
whole sheAf Of letters, obtained from
various sources. Most of them had
passed bctweon various officials Of the
Board of Education relative to the sui
,titution Of limestone for terra Gotta
~ the schools and tended TO show thu
..le contracting rings and labor unions
Rad been pounding the Mayor and the
school authorities on ono preteXt OF
another 20 have limestone used in
school buildings instead Of terra Gotta
The first letter was dated January
Is, 1919, and was report from Snydel
to Frank D. Wilsey, ce-president OF
the Board Of Education, on the sub
ject Of limestone and terra Gotta
Snyder refers in this letter to various
communications from representatives
of the cut stone industry, who We're
urging. the use Of limestone, and said
he had received other communications
OF like nature from the Mayor and
other members of the Board of Educa-
ton.
He mentioned the United Board Of