New-York tribune., 1872-08-15
THE CULVERT JOB.

LARGE SUMS PAID FOR CLEANING sEWER-BASINs
AND CUIVERTs-A PROTEST TO BE OFFERED
That part of the public which is accustomed
20 watch such matters with interest not little sur
prisod last week to among the bills announced as
having passed the Board Of Audit one for SZ2OO nfayor
Of Holland d Foster for cleaning the receiyingbasns
cuverts &C. connected with the during the last
1--WE months OF The amount seemed so large in pro
portion 10 the apparent value of the alleged services,
even they faithfully performed, that the
matter seemed a fair one for investigation.
The contract with Forbes Holland and Robert Foster
10 dated january ISL and runs for six IL pro
yides that Holland Foster, at their own proper cost
and expense shall furnish all the necessary materials
implements. and labor ana shall cleanse or cause
90 be thoroue hy5 ceansed al the recevingbasns and
culyers now constructed and connecting with the public
sewers in the City OF NewYOrk, or which may here
after from time 10 time DC constructed and con
nected with the said public sewers pending the
period Of the existence OF the agreement Then
follows special restrictions, conditions, and supu
latons providing among other things that the basins
and cuverts shall be thoroughly ceansed as often as may
become necessary and that all refuse and sedimenay
shall be removed in waerGht carts no place OF
deposit for such matter being allowed on any street or
GyCuuc city Provision is also made for TIE strict
enforcement Of the contract agreements by the COnmis
toAers Oi IuDhc WORKS ana IOf te Oh aly
persona suffering loss or injury through the neglect OF
Holland Foster X Is provided also that tue Com
mlssCncrs OF Public Works may, after due notice 10 hO
hand Foster, employ other persons tOslertorm any
work which the latr may have neglected, and charge
The consideration or these services if faithfully per
formed, was to be $4,000 per annum, which sum was
boweye., TO be deducted from each monthly payment
0f 5000 and retained by The Controller until the close OF
each year, wheu the terms OF the contract had been
faithfully compiled with during The year, il was 10 be
paid to the contractors Under this agreement monthly
instaments Of $500 each were paid Holland Foster
for the first seven months of ISL by Controller Con
molly Andrew n. Green refused to pay any money on
the contract. the bill for the five closing months OF
3s7l including the 10 per cent on the monthly install
ments which had been retained unaudlted until last
week anu would piObaD} nave renamed 20 iOr ihuc
longer time hut for the following law which was passed
M the fature the close OF The last session ami
which seemed 20 take the matter ont Of the hands OF the
city and county officers:
6ssrs and usgts eoaae ed With be sweree se Of sa5 ct,
b. sSnsS or 10 sael manner as said couHsonsr nav See es
eat and AZ contract h.reGq made ior doing any PORTION Of SAID
The following IS the ell IN question
Controller CITY Of New ior Dr. TO Foster Holland csshng
beI, soy,mber aDd Decenie l7i contract
AIg 4+0 less ten retained by COnrOer..... 1900
SEPT $500 less Ten per rne by COnroer.....
SS' ss s' Ss ten ten PEI cent sni retained ,o By $500
agreement $500 making ...............,...... 84OO
Total ano1r.
This bI has not yet been paid and it is sad that a
4zotest against it. payment will be fled at once with the
protest is that the remuneration Tor the labor required
been performed by Holland Foster required. II
even asserted that the small amount OF labor which has
beta performed m cleaning receiving basins and cu
vert has not been done by Holland Foster, but by
other persons who have received payments therefor
which have not been deducted tiom the claims OF the
contractors. IL H. sad that they have neither the ma
tefias implements, CARTS suitable Tor tho work as
called for Dy the contract and that these Iact VIII be
shown 10 the satisfaction Of the Controller Nome Of
these 1acts having hecn brought 10 the knowledge
Of Mr. Green, however, he paid Holland Foster on
July 25 Inc amount OF their claim for the first I'VE
months nf present year. amounting 10 SsOOO the
COntrOg holding that under the law above gwen he had
discretion the premises. The present contractors
have been nOmiDay engaged In the same work since
February 1874 when they contracted with The CrOtOn
Board 90 ecan the cuyerts for four years In 1868 this
contract renewed and when IN 1911 the new con
tract for ycais made release executed fOr
Ae ifeX O. ftu