New-York tribune., 1872-08-16
WOODEN PAVEMENT REPAIRS.
TIE CONTROLLERS vIEws-CONTRACTS sH0ULT
BE BASED on SEALED BIDS OR PUBLISHED
PROPOSALS.

TIE CONTROLLERS vIEws-CONTRACTS SHOULD
BE BASED on SEALED BIDS OR PUBLISHED
PROPOSALS.
In reply to a recent communication from
the Department of Public Works in reference TO the
bills OF s. H. Ingerso for repairing wooden pavements
the Controller has written letter. OF whch the follow
ing is an abstract:
These bills for repairing the wooden pavements in the
CITY are all in favor OF 5. H. Ingerso. IN appropria-
Ou of was made for repairing wooden pavements
dnring 1870 Upon this appropriation being made you
proceeded by arrangement with MI ingersol but with
nnt reference to the Common Council and without ad
yertisng for bids aud letting TO the lowest bidder TO
execute these repairs agreeing that Mr. Ingersol
should be paid therefor at the rate of S. per square yard
On your certifcates have already paid TO Mr. IngersO
bills as they i'll from time TO tme for $22S59 CO.
SaG na8ment SnoTnIns to s &C. As this work pro
ceeded it became apparent to me that from an exam
iuaon of the bills transmitted by you to this Depart
meut, the provisions Of the lOlth section OF the
Charter had not been complied with ana accordingly
brought the matter under your notice In my communi-
cation to you Of the 10Th ut and verbally prior TO that
date. ~, an r., ,,
the pavement in Mercerst. the Controller makes the
following summary as an illustration; ,,.
work of repairing was begun at canal ana Mercer
sts continued far as No Al Mercer-st, when hve
gregate of S367 19lOG again. on May 90 when tue
work advanced far as No 25 Mercerst nine bills
aggregatng 1888 S4l00 were rendered. On June %,
w6en repairs as far No Mercerst had been DONE
three bills OF June q and two bills OF June % amounting
TO S. 1893 3300 rendered; July /, two bills for
81 S22 7lOO for repairing from Nos lt6 to IA MeTeerst
and July 49, five bills amounting 70 s5l oiO Tor re-
pairE
one bill is presented for work opposite certain street
number and another for work immediately contiguous
thereto and opposite the next number each bill being
under 81 900 in amount, showing it appears to me
clearly noncompliance with the provisions Of section
The only explanation which have received from you
In reply TO my communication OF the 10th ut Is yours OF
the oath ult, tncOsng a copy OF the opinion OF Mt.
OGOrman. If this opinion you Will see that
IL deels principally with the question as to the duty OF
your Department to maintain the CrOton Aqueduct
works In SO far as the opinion refers the matter
repairs street pavemens, consider II has bat little
application TO the particular question presented on MI
IngersOu's bills These bills or the facts relating TO
them were not apparently laid before Mr. OGorndn
Where the repairs Of particular class OF wooden
pavement exceed 81 900 particular street. II is at
ast doubtful whether you have any power under the
bv tine Common Council II this course had been fol
lowed in reference to the work performed by Mr. nRer
soil am satisfied that the result would be equally
good work. and saving to the CITY OF upwards OF twen
understand responsible parties are ready 10 do work OF
this character Other work also find is proceeded with
by your Department similar disregard Of the Charter
and in some Instances the first information which has
reached Comptroller that such work had been under
taken Is furnished by leDorers demanding their already
earned wages 1t seems TO me that such state OF mat
tiers as this ought 70 continue IN the Administration OF
your or any other Department OF the CITY Government
The policy OF fair public letting OF work 10 the lowest
assented In this city TO warrant departure from 1t
without express authority OF law. -
How In the circumstances have explained, the bills
OF Mr. IngersOl should be dealt with Is question which
has given me considerable embarrassment Not without
great hesitation have concluded TO exercise the pow
ers vested in this Department. and direct the bills to be
audited for payment but II must Dc expressly under
stood Department that no further WORK 10 10 DO
done Of This character without compliance with the
provisions OF the Charter. you prefer rather than
apply 70 the Common Council and obtain the proper
let as the Charter provides, then the responsibility
rest with you aud not with this Department.