The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-05
THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE.
investigation Of the Affairs Of the Company-Ths
Superintendent Before the Committee Of
Aldermen-The Cost Of the Enter.
prise-Eots Dollar for Legislation.

The special committee OF the Brooklyn Board on
Aldermen resumed their investigation into the
affairs OF the East River Bridge Company yester-
day afternoon in the Common Council Chamber.
WILLIAM 9. KINGSLEY EXAMINED.
Mr. William @. Kingsley was sworn and testified
that he was superintendent OF the East River
Bridge and had been director OF the company since
June, 1872, but was not one Of the incorporarors:
became personally Interested in the enterprise in
1885, at the beginning; Colonel julius W. Adams was
connected with him in making up the plans. (Mr.
Kingsley then proceeded, at the request Of Alder
man Ropes, to give the history of the enterprise.
ne also related the circumstance OF his connection
with 1t as superintendent The directors wanted
nin TO take the position Of general superintendent
under salary but he had his time pretty well oc-
cupied and he ..'r tMet
DECLINED TO ACCEPT THE POSITION
ior o salary; he agreed, however, to accept the
position ~ fifteen per cent but they thought this
was entirely too high, and spoke or i've per cent;
finally they told him to go on with the work ana
they would make satisfactory arrangements; he
took the position in 1859 as general SUPER
intendent and went to work to organize
his forces. He then related the circumstances
OF the contract for the caisson which was made with
Webb d Ben.) They advertised for bids, but only
two shipbuiders sentin- proposals, as it was con-
launching OF this caisson; they accepted the pro-
posals OF Webb / Bell; he became responsible for
$4,000 worth OF yellow pine and for other material
to the amount OF $3.50 .000; they had always gwen
the work to the lowest bidders except IN one
put II sid TO furnish granite; they iouna thss
this man had no quarry and the stone which he
ton ANA which he e
matter was not settled until early In July, 1907
he then claimed that he was entitled N9aIo0aH
~ t4N
for his time, labor and efforts In behalf OF the en-
terprise during Ave or six years: he believed
contractor, and he placed himself In that position
and they then decided to give him fifteen per cent;
Giving FOR the erection Of the new Post once In
New York and the Capitol at Albany; the work was
then until the me sSs
arrangements In regard to the compensation; they
had number Of meetings, and alter talking the
NE CONCLUDED TO TAKE FIVE PER CENT,
which would amount to $4,000, or $4,000 no
consented upon the condition that the committee
which would reduce 1t to about $l25. 900; this they
aged TO do; he was, ne considered, entitled to
paid him. and then 1t would have been avery
honest contract. i1s III. NN wIfl II II I'D .LT
was m NOT winS e give il up but the conn.,
mttee thought that they had made q mistake, and
Y would be so regarded by the community, and
possibility; The only way they could remove that
error was for him to make the sacrifice; they re-
lieved him OF about $130,000 worth OF the stock;
all he had received as pay from the company was
$125, 000 and he considered 1t sacrifice OF his
time In fact he regarded 1t as l. t@F w
A PICAYuNE COMPENSATION.
He should have received $3.50, 900, but ne did not
wish this to De obstacle In the building Of the
bridge, and he therefore sacrificed 1t. The Execu-
tive Committee passed resolution, and IL was put
in the minutes, to pay him this sum. He had never
to give hm-that OF 1000 per annum. me state
ment that he had put In bid at $40 per yard for
the mason work was he said untrue. Expecting
to be bidder, he would have been foolish TO do so.
He might have said In reply to question that he
would do the work Tor that sum but there were no
bids made for the work. l4
Alderman Ropes inquired II 1t cost
s ANYTHING FOR LEGIsLATIONf is.
Mr.. Kingsley stated that 1t did not cost q dollar
80 far rs he knew. Something had been said In
regard to the purchase Of lumber at the Brooklyn
saw mill In which he was stockh0lder. He would
say that up to December the sum OF $3.50 had been
expended for lumber, and the whole amount
Der Company was $34 600. This company had been
the lowest bidders for furnishing the lumber In all
cases. Up to August next the sum OF 81, 100000 will
have been expended for the work, and IL would
require from twelve to thirteen million dollars to
complete IL. He denied that Mr. Barnes he'd been
prevented rom making an investigation OF the
stone at the yard OF the company.
Mr.. CORTLAND p. Nixon was the next witness
called He testified that he owned q quarry In
Name and was q contractor for the United States
In constructing the new Post ONCE; he furnished
the stone In Its rough state, and then had 1t cut to
suit the architect, and for this he received fifteen
per cent upon the cost OF the work.
The committee then adjourned, subject to tho
call OF the Chair Na