New-York tribune., 1873-07-26
Esfmat6d

.t.l.......siz z-l 500 81 SEQ 200 81 s24ll,2'O C3
U..,c works now employ, under contractors, proha-
Nv NOT less than 1900 men. also send statement
tbovfa- M, numoer Of men employed directly by the
DEPARTMENT Of Public Works, shown by the pay-fols
and tine estimated monthly expenditures for their wages
on the boulevard, Tenth-ave. and one-hundred-and-
fftyGlh 81, aud kindred street improvements on the
alterations Of the big pipes and IN laying CrotoA MANS
AOf winch are prosecuted by days work in the renewal
Of water-ppes, &C.; maintenance OF aqucduct &C. le
pairing OF stone pavemcnts. AL OF those works arc
upder charge or tho Department Of Pubic Works and
now elnp.oy directly moro than 1900 men by days
xorE TIE same statement also shows the number OF
men crnpoved and tho estimated monthly expenditures
for labor u the Department OF Docks, and by The De
rartmcut of Public Parks; butt does not include men
employed in the construction OF the bridge over the
East River This statement also shows the monthly
cost 10 the city of sinking the Fourth-ave. track at
about $4,000 and that the number of men employed Is
not far from 21oO.
Thus 10 appears that money is being paid ont for
city works at the rate Of at least seven million per
sunurr aud there are far from 1000 men employed
thereon.
TIE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS SPENDING TOO
MUCH MONEY.
The manner Of the prosecution Of these works directly
performed D. TIE Department Of Public works mas
boeo t occasion OF universal comment in the neigh
borlood where they are carried on IL 10 proper that
me Board OF Estimate and Apporuonmcnt When
called uncn % issue bonds for these works, should I'M
dcrs.lnd that they are costing very much more than
they should desire call yOus attention also TO the
practice of executing work by special contracts made
1ritout rlhlic competition, which IS carried un-
necessarily and think, improperly 70 large extent
bv the Department Of Public Works. These works
sloI b. Jet 10 the loves; responsible bidder bJ pubic
letting aad not by contracts privately made.
II VIII De seen from the above statement that the
amount Of moneys called for by the Department OF
W.. oh
tbe rate of over hve millions per aunum. The roll OF
In.p,ctors of Regulating and Grading Streets comprises
tbr,y,ix Inspectors at a rate Of $4,000 per anunm.
Three competent men are entirely adequate to do this
yor1 and have not failed 10 suggest to the Comms-
sior OF Public Works the propriety OF diminishing this
r and % ,f.etnga saving OF about $4,000 per aunum.
Tho clerical and engineering force on various OF these
works fl, also believed TO he largely IL excess Of the
necessities OF the work.
TlIr ASSESSMENT LAWS TOO LOOSE AND COMPLICATED.
Iha.e repeatedly stated you, and again reiterate
IT, that the assessment laws very loose and com
ph ,c1. suecuating lawyers are taking advantage oil
ts Of the law vacate sments and throw
the burden Of them the city az large unequay aud
uustv Those interested in this class Of business
rerrastuted az Albany and with the aid OF certain
members Of tho Legislature, prevent the necessary
revision OF the assessment laws II Is not too much TO
say that the Treasury viii be the loser by these means
e. the extent 0f millions OF dollars, ana tho a&p"y e'
will have to FOOT the bills.
twill be seen that the Finance Department is called
On 10 provide very large amount Of moneys for the
pros cution Of these works These moneys ought 10 be
go expended as 10 produce adequate returns present
these suggestions for the consideration of the Board OF
Estimate and Apportonment, Very respectfully
AND. II. GREEN Controller.
eTLTrMFNr OF CONTRACTS IN PROGREss.
The following table shows the contracts now in pro