The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-03-11
THE STREET CLEANING INVESTIGATION.

Testimony of Peter Cooper, Richard O,Gor.
man, James n. whiting, A. r. Stewart
Adam Stock, Thomas G. Acton and Rccorde9 7
Hnskett.
The Senate Committee on Municipal Affairs 70
sumed their sitting yesterday morning ut the Metro
politan HOTEL Senator Crowley presiding
Peter Cooper was sworn and testified as follows:-
am acquainted with the working OF the present
contract system and not familiar with It's details:
1t is very difficult to say what would be the best sys-
tenn for cleaning the streets OF the city, but have
never known the city to be kept so clean before a
during the two years under the contract OF Judge
Whiting; cannot suggest better plan than the one
now adopted but think great good would result
by placing the work in some way under the direction
of the police; ] have travelled through the
streets as much as most citizens, but do not think
moro can be done than is done; 1t was impossible
when the snow fell during the last winter to keep
the streets clean; entertainments Of snow were piled
mp on the sidewalks, greatly inconveniencing the
public, but that the fault Of the railroad cOmpa
nies cannot say how much money would DO re-
quired to pay for the cleaning OF the streets; the di
Guilty Of dsposing OF the filth has been much In
creased OF late years, and this expense necessarily
increased have always taken an earnest interest In
city affairs, and am now and have been for some time
fined the object OF the Citizens Association. He with :
number Of gentlemen OF that body, in response to
the complaints made through the newspapers had
summer, and they were all agieeabiy surprised 70
find the city as clean as it was; he could not say
whether or not the contractor had done his work
properly during the past month; he would say, how.
ever, both for himself and the association, that Il
was their impression that the streets were cleaned
according to the contract; he could not say that the
crosswaks were kept Clean reyen free from ice; he
thought 1t an impossbility to clean Broadway during
this thaw; the weather must be permitted to do its
work; when he said that it was impossible to keep
the streets clean he meant that 1t was possible only
at great expense; the Citizens Association adj
dressed any communication to MIR. Whiting; they
thought he did his work faithfully and weat least
such was their impression when they made their
summer tour.
Richard O,Gorman being sworn, testified as fol-
lows:-I am a member OF the Street Cleaning Com
mission and have been since LIST OF January 1861
When became @ 70 inc e maa mo-
the question has been repeatedly brought up at
meetings Of the commission missions as to whether OF
thnk-and believe can speak for tile other menu
bers of the comlnssion-tlat there was a general
dissatisfaction among us at the condition Of the
streets; during the time that Mr. Schultz acted as
member Of the commission reports came from the
police to the effect that the streets in many In
stances were in bad condition, and not properly
cleaned; these reports We're sometimes In accord
part have never been thoroughly satisfied with the
condition of the streets; speak now Of those
where the population Is the thckest; think il
would be for the benefit OF the city to annul this
contract and that the work were done in some other
way than by contract; the power OF the commission
to break this contract depends upon questions Of
fact, which, in case OF litigation should he submitted
to Jury and the issue OF that submission would, Of
course, be doubtful; the question would be whether
it would be substantially performed by the con-
before the commission we found ourselves
somewhat in the same difficulty that jury probably
side answered by statements made upon the other,
and found it extremely difficult to come to any exact
would exist il in case Of litigation the same ques-
lions came before jury, we leared-at all events.
disastrous to ourselves; tie unusual inclemency Of
the season has placed difficulties In the way OF the
to measure the contract itself does not require this
contractor to remove the snow, nor are there faci
ties for hs SO aopg unless me you can
been complied with is expressed In naN spaper AZ.
tcles, cannot say what the opinion OF the city In
this respect is do not think that the streets are
whiting has performed his duties under this con-
spects better contract than this could be devised;
but am still OF opinion that no contract
could be devised sufficiently large or sufficiently
minute In its details to meet all the varying exge.
cies OF one winter in New York; do not believe that
the Street Commission las the power to annul Mr..
Writings contract unless additional powers were
conferred upon tho commission; tho contract was
prepared in The Office Of my predecessor, Mr. John E.
Develin; had no knowledge OF the making OF the
contract at the time It was made, and know OF no
other parties interested in this contract other than
Ex-Judge Whiting recalled-(wltness produces
h
pany, OF the State Of New Jersey Of the second art
for the removal Of ashes garbage &C., from this
to himself) There was no agreement between my
self Deyoe, Brown and Knapp that should not mals
tract; the bonus Of 100000 was paid ~
part in CASH. decline at present to pToduce any my
books as also to state my net profits; in the month
expenses amounting to nearly $4,000, and have to
pay Sle5O 60 for manure; somebody told me that the
s25O Dcvein was one OF the contracting parties
under the Deyoe contract, acting for and on behalf
q. DO you know of any other person who was al
that time paid or promised any snn Of money either
e es S Gs any hns No
have an interest in II; was told that Mr. Horace
Greeley had an interest n y; !neve. had aas ar.
appointed By the street Cleaning Commission In Tss
spcct to the reports which they should make to tha6
een n monat 30 sF o os
by the Street Commissioners for any reports ths&
they might make relative to the condition Of the
streets.
A. T. Stewart testified that the condition Of the
streets was bad, owing principally to the railroads
cvea the Contract system was was the best Il i could s.
enforced, and that Mr. whiting had faithfully per-
fault was in the deficiency OF the contract itself.
. Adam Stock, an inspector In the employ of the
tanned in the reports made by him. that tie streets
were generally in good condition, and that Mr..
Whiting had performed his contract SO far as II was
Charles II. wayland gave additional testimony.
Commissioners, testified that Mr. whiting had coin.
piled with his contract better than any one had dcu0
before him. the great difficulty was to procure
dumping grounds TO place The rubbish In; the great
dcsideratum was to get contract for the benefit Of
the city ana not Tor tae contractors sole advantage
tract was insufficient and that 1t should be annued
as soon as possible.
Recorder John X. Hackett testined-I am not
aware OF any power under cur cit, charter and tho
ordinances which woni compel the railroad COM
panics to remove the and Ice from the streesS
through which they run: If the commission To
decide to break Ills contract the city would be placed
IN The most unfortunate position, for under the law
we could make no row contract ant oven II we
could should have funds to pay for the labor;
l do not think e possible for any man 70 keep the
sire eta of s city clean Cor the SUN received under
the present contract; think an application should
be made TO the Leg iature Investing some one