New-York tribune., 1873-05-10
BROOKLYN SEWERAGE FRAUDS.

hope OF its passing this session.
BROOKLYN SEWERAGE FRAUDS.
PRoPERTY-owNERs AT THE MERCY OF EXToRTIoNATE
CONTRACT CTORs- RAILWAY COMPANIES FAVORED
AND TAx-PAYERS CHARGED DOUBLE
The Commissioners of the Brooklyn Depart
rent OF city Works assumed their places little more
than year ago ostensbly a reform body. They
undecided the Nassau Board which since 1882 had ex-
ercised functions and controlled the same.mat
ters OF water sewers and street pavemens, but which
had fallen into bad repue account OF its eXtraya-
ganoe indulgence in i0b0eTy, aud fayornsm.
great change was, therefore, looked for in the
operations OF the Board Of City WORKS.
But It soon became apparent that Commissioner
Fowler and Daniel l. Northrup the Secretary who had
been the master spirits OF the old Board were as prom
nent IN managing the affairs Of the new one that the
system Of favoritism which prevailed IN the Nassau
Board was perpetuated in the Department OF Cty
Works; and that the heads OF departments were
retained John H. Rhodes. the Water PurYeyor
paientee OF the new water-cocKl, Charles W Whlets
he Registrar OF Water Rates. and Francis B. Stryker
Superintendent OF Sewers being kept in their Offices
the management OF their several departments was con-
nuued in the same previously; the same
favOriies enjoyed exclusive privileges and MI Bren
continued TO possess the favor Of the Board and
given the sole power TO put meters into buildings All
this was discouracing to the friends Of REFORM and
general sentiment prevailed throughout the community
that the Commission should hereafter be dispensed with
and the control OF its affairs was given to the
Common Council The first draft Of the proposed
Brooklyn Charter dispensed entirely with the De
partment but Commissioner Fowler and Mr.. Northrup
went 70 Albany three four weeks ago to look alter
the interest the Board Of City Works, and by their
presence and influence have succeeded IN securing
eral amendments TO the Charter which permit the
Board to retain control Of certain matters Among the
most important Of these the matter Of the sewers
which has in the past been one Of the most prolific
OF fraud and imposition upon taxpayers and
which is put heretofore, under the control Of the
Department OF City Works.
practice begun in the Nassau Board has been per
petuaed the Board Of City Works, that OF permitting
the contractors charge prices varying from
$40 10 $40 for the privilege OF making connections between
the houses and sewers while the latter Of
construction 1t is easier OF course 20 make the eOnnec
ton az this than subsequently, and better for the
cupants Of the houses but in addition to what exacted
by the contractor SIS has 70 be paid the Department
Of City Works forhe permit 20 make the connection The
officials the Department OF City Works say the amount
paid 10 the contractor is unnecessary and that the
cupans Of houses along the routes Of sewers viii wait
until the entire work is completed only the amount for
the permit Will have TO be paid but IL is frequently
months before whole line Of sewerage completed it
Will be what inconvenience propertyowners are
subjected TO- unless they comply with the contractors
demands
When it has been deemed advisable to build sewers in
streets where railway tracks laid, the companies
have generally been favored at the expense Of the
property owners along the street Two sewers one on
each side Of the street, have been built at a
double expense 20 tax payers The excuse offered
yor this proceeding at the Department OF City
works s that 10 would cost the householder 70 make
the connection between his house and the sewer the
hitter were underneath the tracks, than If It were near
the curb although 8I De Merritt the superintendent OF
Streets. acknowledged TO a TRIBUNE reporter yester-
day be thought in where the streets are mar
row. the sinking Of two sewers Is unnecessary and
burdensome to taxpayers.
During 1872 6o feet of Pinch pipes and 80 feet Of
inch pipes laid in Ffhave either side Of the rail-
road track and 800 feet Of 12nch pipes on Ffh-ave,
between Tenth and Eeyenthsts at cost Of 5000. II
is estimated that single sewer laid between the tracks
would have cost only $1,000 and property owners been
assessed accordingly. FOurth-ave hadtwo sewers built
in ls72 on either SIDE Of the railroad tracks be-
tween Carroll aud Butler sts.. and Seventeenth and
Tweuty-seventh-ss. at expense Of S8,71O single
built midway in the street would have cost only
500 A double sewer both SIDES Of HamitOn-ave.
built last year between Second and Thrdaves con-
ssng Of $50 feet Of 8Onch pipes. saving Of S22O Is
computed a had been LAID in the middle Of the
street. In Myrteave, between Yates-ave and Broad
way there we're laid last year. sewers, 172S
feet long and l2inches in diameter and the other rs
feet long and Is inches in diameter II single sewer
had been laid in the middle Of the street. it urged
could have safely done, $500 would have been
saved 70 taxpayers.
AT present Ninth-st between Third and Ninth-aves
IL having two laid either side Of the railroad
track Tue street comparatively narrow, and there is
very little space between the tracks and the curb and
the reason which given for doable sewerages namely
that the cost OF laying pipe from the residences
middle oi the street would be increased, would not
seem 70 apply IN this case; vet two sewers are being
laid al contract price OF ses7O as against g 2o the
price OF single sewer, which would be sufficient 10
drain the street and its residences.