New-York tribune., 1873-04-09
TIE WASHINGTOY BOAED or WORKS
IT'S FINANCIAL CONDITION A LETTER TEOM MR.
SHEPHERD.

IT'S FINANCIAL CONDITION A LETTER FROM MR.
SHEPHERD.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: Ia your issue of the 9th April appears
telegram from Washington with editorial indorse-
ment so fun Of gross misrepresentation that cannot
permit 1t to pass without correction. / cannot believe
that you seriously wish to inure the credit Of city.
At least am satisfied that You would not seek TO dc
the face Of facts easily obtained which prove
porter to be in and the misrepresentation without
any foundation in fact. SO long these false charges
confined to merely sensational prints could 81
ford TO treat the abuse with indifference bat when
journal able and cautious THE TRIBUNE takes up
the cry, forced to defend ourselves. Let me
then briefly can, correct the msstatemens made
1t is not true reported that within few days the
Washington Board of Public Works has Cancelled about
two million dollars worth Of contracts for improve
mens of the streets OF the city" The Board Of Pubic
Works has Cancelled single contract does il
propose doing in where the contractors
have failed comply with their engagements. 1t isnot
true as also reported that after receiving the million
dollars appropriated by Congress and payable July !.
the Board will be sti greatly in debt" This IA not
from the fact that the money appropriated by Con-
payable after the Let OF July was not to Hqudate
debts of the Board but pay for the proportion OF work
vet for the Government OF the United States
The next statement of your reporter is remark
able for ts reckless disregard OF fact than any other.
due contractors is about aud quarter millions and
as the assessments OF property adjoining which work
has been completed have already been made the Board
has no resources except the money be received from
the United States" The facts are FIRST that the gross
amount private property is s2666,OO
OF this 100000 have been issued. leaving over
100000 yet available The account then. would stand
as follows:
lst Balance VI assessments above 900
Cd. Balance Ci appropriation due by District 254'NO
tops avai,able after l......'...... 9lsOOO
Asset. 3,25 900
Duc 10 cohud'tois-'---''' '
Leaving available assets 7Jl 900
Now the only embarrassment suffered by the Board,
which ia entirely solvent and purposes remaining so,
from the fact that the assessments made Tor I'M
provements available until the improvements
are completed Under the Law this source OF income
cannot he anticipated.
OF course IL these iact4-and any unpreiudlced
person eau investigate and readily satisfy himself as to
their being so-ooth your editorial comments and those
OF your reporter have foundation "a which 10 rest
The reporter however refers 20 "the equities, you
assure MS that Government gOod-ns5redly gave" us
the appropriation referred toof s3cO00O9 which, how
ever is not correct, as the actual appropriation
amounted to s3JOOOOO These equities and the good
nature" amount in ths The Government of the
United States Rad given it fOurfths OF the prOpery
of this city which it YET holds independent OF stree ts
and avenues fifty per cent of the entire pFOpcr' "
Now for seventy wears been the happy posses' or
Of this real estate. IN that time the Cove rh-
nent has Appropriated SlOoOOO :or street imPro We
merits mmedaely abous its property by the shie Of an
expenditure the citizens of over Sj5GO0o Who II
remembered that for tts grandeur aud eorJ Of this
maternal Cover rmeD the streets and a"emnes Neie lad
ont In proportt ems that would have sunk Chca1
Yew-Yo theT had attempted IN pave draID and
light them, "the equity side grows strong and
the good ma sre" somowhat doubtful And thei We
must in mind that the avenues DFlosS TO the Gen
ri Goyernm ant and C.pnGt I'M roY0b sy Law
of Congress Had the Government &pprCPratfdit slusi
nrouorton as the czeus have met theirs, We won not
now be the subject of sth6r incorrect statement IN
lust criticism hEtA- a. 'iiAN'' '''D'
Hashingfo = April 7.lss.