New-York tribune., 1872-08-16
MUNICIPAL ECONOMY.
y1pws or COMMISSIONER VAN MORT AND ENGI-
kEER TOoLE IN REGARD TO THE CULyERT-
CLEANING CONTRACT

VIEws OF COMMISSIONER VAN MORT AND ENGI-
kEER TOoLE IN REGARD TO THE CULYERT-
CLEANING CONTRACT.
Considerable interest having been mani
tested n the contemplated protest against further pay
rnonts to Holland Foster, under their contract for
cleaning the basins and culvers OF this city Tor
ksOOO per annum as stated in yesterdays TRUUNE, re-
ortrs we're sent out yesterday to obtain additional in
formation In reference TO the management of the Sewage
Bureau under former administrations and under the
present one. The following some of the results:
When Commissioner Van Mort assumed control of the
Department of Public Works, sewage removed from
the sewers b contract the rate OF 81 per cartoad at
cost OF s75O.l 50 for the months ending July 81
ls II was asccrtained that under the improved sys
TEN OF sewage the accumulation in the sewers became
less and less every year. the sewers emptying them
selves when they flooded and when there were
heavy rains and the contractors in some instances
had stopped up the mouths Of sewers in order oncreas
The accommodations The contract was abrogated on ten
day notice aud the cleaning has since been done 10y
single frrn al cost of A5Ss 80 for the seven months
endIg July 81 1874 Commissioner Van NOTts attention
was directed the contract for cleaning receiving
basins end considering it Illegal nc determined TO ali
rogae it, the work performed directly by the
Department. Holland & Foster hearing Of this, in
formed the Department Of Public Works that they
posed 10 continue work the contract and TO take
the matter into the Courts If payments under the con-
tiact were refused them THIS led the Commits
sioner 10 give the matter a further examination,
aud, under the advice of the Engineer Of the
Sewage Bureau, he came 10 the conclusion
that the work demanded by the contract could not be
faithfully performed for the six ensuing years at any
great saving while the stOppage Of the work. for
short time might be Of hTeparabe damage to the health
OF the city. In comparison with the danger thus fore
shadowed, S4scO0 year was in his estimation small
matter He advocated therefore, the passage Of the
law printed in yesterdays TRIBUNE, and determined
that the oontrsct should be strictly carried out by
Holond & Foster, he has reason TO believe has been
the case Mr.. Van NOrts conclusions in the premises
are contained in full in recent letter sent by him to
Controller Green in which he says:
No cleaning has been done this year earlier
than April. The cost for April, May, and June, 1871
$20 and the cost for the corresponding months OF
Tor cleaning the sewers tie work being done under the
direction OF this Department by days work wOuld
entered into with the late Aqueduct Department,
Feb. 1894 and renewed jan J. 1868 was for the cleans
The The city, and that the present contract
FOR that purpose was MADE Jan j, 1871,
OF the second contract 322 basins and OF the third con-
tract so basins 1t Is estimated IGat TN not Ted ess sp zoo 3o
@ tt old be as low as the work eoud be done
@ Se diTect emSoyment Of men by The Deparfment
public lettng Of any OF this work do not consider
lowest bidder without other qualifications whereas il is
of great Importance that the work De done by men
skilled in the business.
previous 10 the date Of this letter. July 25 when pay
nent was made for the first five months OF this year,
and as the bill for the last five months OF 1871 not
audited until after this letter written, 1t is presum
able that the action Of both the Board Of Audit and the
Controller Influenced by 1t.
A TRIBUNE reDorter called on Mr. Toole, Engineer OF
the Sewage Bureau, for information in regard to the
basin and culvert contract. Mr TOole stated that
was said about the contract and he not sorry to
learn that protest was contemplated Investigation or
fuch matters could 90 harm and he thought the dis
covey would be made that large amount OF nara Work
done In return for the money expended When the
- ne Wnfer is sxent INTO The sewers and is caueht in
basins and the during the first few months of
H. he nsst tbe Tse Which shoTS have bcen removed
the surface has to be taken out OF the basins After
etimes in basius Mr. Jooe thinks that he has SO
systinatzed tie operafous Gf tbe Bnrean that he can
MOI @te mistaken IN the opinion that the Work Is |
eseses RSs0d ss Mr. RST'er wnS he
Mr. Poster or his agent ysts the engineers office daily
needugeieanng, and these complaints are Invariably
attended 20 as is shown by carefully kept record MI
the contract with Holland FosteT was O. sated tbs
fim proposed TO sell to the Department Of P1bic Works
e thinks thee be doubt that they have sch ar
ees There are seasons OF the year when 2OOr rs men
are eiDpioyen Snd nearly this number Engaged ali
The time IleEork IN all the principal streets is done
~ ny rate ~ sS G (I S5Sn n NE Sy s increasing
Holland * Foster profit byither contract no they will
not hereafter. 1855 |
PETTY THEFTs CHECKED IN PUBLIC OFFICES.
City officials haye been accustomed 10 Tegard
he furniture Of the pgDlic Offices which they occupy
eDporariy as personal property that be removed
y them they retire from the public service: and
rom this practice the clty has suffered many losses
acL small in itself. but amonBung 20 large sum annu
lily. II H. said, 100. that public servants haye caused
toifs 10 De removed from their Offices TO their lomes
ne psys bad them replaced by TeQaisiton upon the