New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-11-16
A DEAD LOCK BROKEN.
SUSPENSION OF HosTILuIEs BETWEEN TWO
PUBLIC OFFICES.

PUBLIC OFFICES.
Controller Green sent, yesterday, the follow
ing letter TO the Department OF Public Works relative 70
the settlement of contractors claims against the city
and to the power OF the Controller 20 deposit Com
missioner Van Norris requston, money to the credit Of
the Department Of Public Works:
Your communication OF Yesterday received In INC
evening. You were well aware before the statement
which Won refer by Mr.. STahan IN court that
this Department has been DELAYED from audltlhF au-
justng and settling several claims made agshs. '.e
city by contractors aud others through your failure 20
file with me, the law directs, certificates Oh tne "os
done and materials furnished Ever since tns
date OF the statute. chapter 6I2 OF the laws %,
1872, this Department bas, upon being sausnea
10 the execution Of the work and services rendered
audited allowed and paid various employees and others
whose claims have been certified by your Depaflmehti
and the only reason why most OF these claims when ae
the necessary certificates 70 this Department. even when
you were specially requested 10 40 so ~ ,h r, 70
compel the transmission OF the certificates withheld 30
that those who had claims against the city might be
paid whatever sums should be found investigation TO
be justly due TO them am glad 70 learn Dy your com
municatOn that further delay will be obvated ~ the
transmission OF the required certificates, when
request shall be forwarded at once .....
In this matter my action has reference TO the con
stitutionaty OF the lawunder which you claim TO act
That is question which must, on account OF me Inagn
by hghest tribunal In the State. You are
probably aware that it is question which may ahect
the validity OF millions OF assessments, and II cannot
therefore, be 30 easily disposed OF as you seem TO
imagine NY position Is simply THIS; as Controller on
law the control OF all the fiscal concerns Of the
Corporation, and OF the appropriations made
for carrying on the business OF tho city;
/ sm charged with the duty Of settling aud
adjusting all claims In favor OF and against the Corpora
On and OF auditing revising and settling all accounts
in which the Corporation Is debtor and creditor There
Is no force this State which requires me- as Con
rOer. TO deposit your requison 10 your credit IN
bank any or sums whatsoever for the purpose OF
enabling you pay claims accounts against the Cor
pOratiOn without such accounts being revised audited
and adjusted by this Department. am SATISFIED tnat
the law authorizes the execution OF the works for which
the particular claims referred TO IN your communication
are ALLEGED 70 nave Deeh inc9rred ana t1at NOS h
execution OF the creditors Of the city. Their
claims, therefore, far tins has been already
DONE will upon receipt Of the necessary certificates, be
audited adjusted and settled By this Department the
law directs.
In thus acting as the fiscal officer Of the Corporation
do without passing upon the question whether these
works ought be proceeded with under the direction "
the Department Of Parks or Department VI Works. 1
shall In every satisfy myself 10 the actual eAecu
ton OF the work for which the claim is made and being
satisfied that the work charged for authorized by
law, the claim will be audited and paid.