New-York tribune., 1873-05-27
AN ExTRAvAGANr COMMISSION.

NEPoIIsM AND FAYORrrIsM IN THE DEPARTMENT.
COLLISION BETWEEN INSPECTORS AND con-
TRACTORS.
II is stated that the investigation by the
Committee Of the Common Council into the conduct OF
Mr. Rhodes will be prosecuted with yigor on account OF
the failure OF the Chairman OF the Committee to secure
the reapponmeut OF his father his former position in
the Board OF City Works Mr. Rhodes expresses his in
difference as 10 the result Of the investigation, stating
that by the express provisions OF the charter,
which orbids him place any watercock in dwellings,
the implication that heretofore the law has per
mitted him aud that whatever may be the re-
sut arrived at by the Committee, no punishment can
lawfully follow. BE is said feel secure In his posi-
ton which he has held for years, by reason OF his eu-
towing the favor Of Commissioner Fowler, who is the
leading spirit in the Board
The system Of favortism extends 70 all the employees
Of the Board Of City Works, whose duties for the
most part light while the compensation IS dspropor-
tionately heavy Many Of the employees are unnt for
their Places and nearly all relatives political
friends OF the Commissioners The plans OF the sewers
and other works within the province OF the Board are
made Dy the son OF the Secretary OF the Board. This
voung man Is stated 70 be entirely UNFIT for the service
as In nearly every his work has been revised and
corrected or new maps been drawn. In the case
of the Hudson ave $4,000 expended for the
maps and the money paid when 1t ascertAined that
thev were entirely Incorrect and IL took i've engineers
.ur months TO correct and complete them az great e1-
pense.
The inspectors of streets and Of sewers are nearly all
politieai favortes and rarely In attendance The
insuectors of the Bushwck-ave. sewer-W Hogan con
rractor-are Harvey Force, a friend Of Lorn Palmer
Preaent OF the Department Of City Works, and Henry
rnles The inspectors Of sewers Centralave and ia
tr,lutaries TO Bushwck ayeFrel Co., contractors
ara Peter Ianygan another favored friend OF MI Pal
er NJ Hugson and Barney Riley. The inspectors on the
Gowapus sewers-J. ". Valentine, contractor-are Pat
y,et Bray Matthew nmmins, Daniel Mccormack John
clvp A potcal favorite OF Mr.. Palmer. Garret Duely.
e,ie favored by the President Of the Board OF City
work., John Van Nosrand. out OF the country on leave
a, absence but under fun pay and Jordan Soaring The
ygrk eontraotors-are Andrew Demorest, Charles
p,r,o Thouias Mal0ney. aud stephen Larkin Come
,,s Tie sev Ii favored inspector at the BradyoOuri
,,rer aud Michael Harman, efficient on election days
d. The engine-house on the same street These
.s-.ons Arc rarely on duty hour or two
a..h Sav and nearly all are good terms Win
me eontractors who are permitted 70 use whatever
.teria they see IT. The street inspector on the clean
~ coptract for the Eastern District H. David Stewart
mo receives an annual salary OF tiOe. although NE
r,ne IA almost entirely spent Ia his liquor saloons al
Fsl,shiugave and Ryerson-s, or at Myrte-ave' near
Kentave The streeteleaning inspector OF the Mddie
D.t,iet Is Joseph Whiting. brother OF Commissioner
waiting of the Department Of City Works. He receives
a sa.sry OF s9.0O0 year. Thomas Watson receives