New-York tribune., 1873-05-10
PrBLIC WORKS EXPENDITURE.

ANALYSIS OF MIR. sHEPARD'S LAST EXPLANATION
THE CONDITION OF AFFAIRS QUITE AS BAD AS
HAS BEEN REPRESENTATIVES, WORST CHARGES
sUBsTANTIATED.
(FRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.
WASHINGTON, May 5.-Mr. Alex. r. Shepherds
last letter The TRIBUNE in defense Of the Board Of
Public Works contains little that is and really
shoots wide of the mark at which criticisms OF the
Board have been aimed to attract little attention
StiIl some the statements confirm IN such striking
manner reports that have been current here for the
past few months, that they deserve brief notice.
Passing by the extracts from the Governors
which, SO far as they give any information, only
rehash Of the statements made by Mr. Shepherds sub
ordnates the first document is exhibit BY the book
keeper OF the Board showing the amount Of money
ceived and expended. 1t is as follows
TRE.sURER's OFFICE. BOARD OF Public woRKs.}
DISTRICT oy COLUMBIA, WAsLNGroS, April %. 1873.
To amount received from appropriations OF ae Distinct go m
Advanced by S'9O 80
s8s9Ol5 IS
- WM LAIRD BookEeeper.
This exhibit contains two striking admissions. In the
first place It shows that the treasury of the Board is
empty and that after receiving from the United states
during the of Congress S2535456 6T it has
not cent OF with which to satisfy the just claims
of contractors amounting for work which was
done last year and nearly all completed before the Board
two and a half millions.
Secondly 1t admits that the Board had prior TO the
lst OF January last illegally made contracts for work
far in excess of appropriations at thattime made.
The total amount of money appropriated by
Congress and the District Government, anu
realized by the Board from other sources TO
Jan. l, 1878, was, according TO their own ~.
This amount is asceriaiaed as foowsi
Total amount received from AL sources to
Amoant claimed as stl due nom District
Government. 252Wo w
Total...... .ss,425,O6A 90
Amount received from the United States since
jan OF
to jan !, iSfs o..... - ~ s5,Ss9GOS %
Adding 70 this the amount Of assessments
now claimed 20 be coectable on improve
peatedly asserted have been increased by
the late appropriations or Congress N927S9 III
Gives sum that is Of course greater than the
amount within which contracts and liablli-
ties were required by law up to jan 3sl757 a.
The Board reports having already paid out. s99o5 S5
Gov. Cooke, in his message quoted by shep-
debtedness now outstanding l,57Os21 IS
The engineer reports amount withheld as per
centage account OF work tnO certificates
issued 2oo2Vi W
Total expenditures and indebtedness; .siOCoOaS IS
OF this the engueer reports that contracts let
since Dec s, 1872, will, when completed, call
for the payment of.-..-.................. 6STo ~
Leaving amount OF expenditures and lIabih-
ties prior to Dee G. lST2 sOIsS 70
Limit within which expenditures and labili-
ties up TO Jan. l, 1873, were required TO be
kept by law tamount appropriately rs above 7sl7i1 40
Illegal excess OF liabilities contracted prior
toJan. l. isT3................. .... 1854 S96 50
Another form In which the adm con contained in this
exhibit may be made to appear Is As Nows;
lies eontracted prior to Dee g. 1872 Was saSO 1853 Is
Total amount of money which had then been
appropriated by Congress and the District
(joyernmeut, and realized from ell other
sources dneludng s252 900 claimed as still
due from District Goyernment) .......... 6Ifeos 20
Ieayipg still to bo provided for J60I4a W
Hence 1t will be that had not Congress como to
tho aid OF the Board the assessments property would
have paid more than hall tho Boards liabilities after