New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-04-05
THE EAST RIVER BRIDGE.

| TIEs-TESTIMoNY OF WILLIAM c. KINGSLEY
| PERCENTAGES AND SALARIES.
The East River Bridge Committee of the
Brooklyn Common Council met at p NJ yesterday, and
| continued its investigation.
William C. Kingsley testified that he had been con-
nected with the Company 1869; the Company in
1868 applied TO the cities of NewYork and Brooklyn TO
subscribe 10 the capital stock; the City OF NewYork
subscribed N5OO0O0 with conditions, and the City OF
Brooklyn finally subscribed, in January, 1862 Q0OQW
this left 100000 be subscribed by private parties the
Bridge Company then advertised that a certain day
books for subscriptions would opened only part OF
the $4,000 taken all the efforts OF two years would
be lost II this amount taken and therefore he
took balance. amounting to 100000 when he first
subscribed he took only part Of the stock un
sold hoping that other persons would come forward
and take up the balance; in August 1862 the younger
Roebing was appointed chief engineer he having been
considered best acquainted with his fathers pans IN
the Fail OF 1863 the Company prepared TO begin active
operations and the incorporatOrs appointed an Execu
tive Committee to build the towers up TO high water
mark; witness asked 10 meet with Them and 1t was
discussed whether it expedent TO make contract
for building the towers do it by days work he ad
vised the committee have it done by days work,
they could not afford make contract with any
who was not entirely responsible; it decided 20 do
the work by days work then he asked to take the
position of superintendent, on salary but he declined;
finally he said that he would accept il they would pay
him Is per cent but unwilling TO take less TINS was
to hold good until the tower reached high wstermark
After con siderable opposition, the Executive Commit
tee said that II he would go they thought that they
could agree with him to compensation this was in
August 1867 accepted and preparations at once
nt 20 o the large shpbnders but only two 6ds we're
received most Of the builders afraid 10 any
rsks the launching Of the caissons after the bids
were received he expressed his opinion that the bid OF
Webb Bell TOO large, and he so reported to the
Executive Committee he succeeded IN getting them 10
make reduction OF 600 in the price for the iron work
the Company, while 1t knew that it paying liberal
price for building the caisOns, thought that II was the
best that could be dOne the contract made with
them this for caisson only; when II
became necessary TO build the second CARSON WeoD
Bell wanted to build it; he Kingsley said that too
p Raa %S Pd pa GF m ns second
Bel wanted 70 make byats ,dT 6t ne re-
caisson they could not build 1t they said that they
would not bid but finally changed their mind, aud, "a
they the lowest bidders, they were awarded the
contract Mr. Kingsley said that he did say that he
was pocket 100000 before blow had been struck
ties that amount; he assumed the responsibility
Of making contract for lumber himself; made con-
for yellow pine timber for $4,000, aud for oak
timber. which amounted 10 ABOUT s9A0ee; poth were
written contracts; after about $4,000 worth had been
delivered the company found that they would not need
remainder Immediately ana asked the contractors
TO hold up, which they appeared glad 20 90 IN the mean
Der; Mr.. Kingsley sent for the contractor and related
circumstance ana he consented to cancel the con
tract; in reference 10 the stone contract MI kingsley
said that, after making tour OF the quarles spechca-
lions made by the engineers and sent TO all prom.
contract made for IS 900 worth OF limestone to the low
bidder proposals were sent out for 1900 cube yards
of granite and 10 bids received thar contract
awarded TO the lowest bidders, Rockwell * Co. OF
Name every instance the contract mas been gwen 60
the lowest bidder. with exception, and That was
within the past year, when person who was unknown
put in bid for grantee the Committee not satisfied
with the bid OF this man, he had no quarry ana tho
stone not grantee believed that this bidder was an
sdventrer and If he had been awarded the contract
would sold it again. Mr.. Kingsley then referred to
the matter OF compensation pad NM when ne
asked 10 superintend the work he told the Execu
Il
stated salary the subject considered for some time,
and was not settled uUt July $780, he felt that because
OF his bities the Company and for the time be had
expended he was entitled to what any contractor
would consider a fair profit to make, and
thought that 10 per cent was not TOO much;
at the time that this arrangement was made ne Was h9t
he had been paid Sl75OOO the Executive Committee said
that the Is per cent was TOO much; they theh began
cottage; in SEPTEMBER he consented TO take an amount
equal 10 per cent IN all $l250OO the conditions were
tia; Company should take part oil hs Stock ne wac
tncn carving about he consented 10 tue reduc
ton, simply because the Committee appealed TO him
and felt that IL mad made mbtake lie reGarded thelt
scpstveness and II him 100000; as TO the original
arrangement, he said That he regarded 1t as solemn
and valid contract and should have Oeen aDded Dyi nc
believed That ON this point he had been more liberal
than any other man IN New-YOrh or Brooklyn.
His private business had been very largely hacriced on
account OF tue time he had devoted 10 the entefpilse
since 1866 lie would not do 10 again under any CIR
cUmstances; there was no company OF elleIpite III he
country lie said that could command his services Tor
what NC lad received from the Bridge Company th5
Sl25Oo0 lie termed picaynh GOWpeN-aIon5 no Hau
never put in a contract 10 build the masonry or the
towers for SO yard, bat might have made the state
ment when informally discussing tho subIect at that
time his Term superintendent was abOut TO expire,
and he expected TO become COMPETITOR lor inc "9f;
Mr. Kingsley stated that the Bridge Company had
/ never expended dollar for legislation either III
Washington, Albany, NcwYOrA or BfOOklyn; tho Conn
pauy fe that II had power ANA influence enough to pro,
cure legislation and al had been d0nc by lhdiNldual
energy and effort tho whole amount e%pehdoi UP 10 oep
.ur last for lumber ABOUT 1884 CO. and out Of tins
! tYtal the New-YOrh aud Brooklyn Saw-Mh Company
mad received only $4,000 OF THIS $4,000 was received
upO proposals, ana $4,000 was awarded IN $50 small
orders, running through period Of three yealsj the
bills OF this company been scfutnzed more care
fully than those rom other cOmplnyj no thought
thai the Company had been very fortunate III the con
trsct, made Tor stOue total cost OF the enterprise
u 10 August next viii be $jOO00O0 ana the total amount
( required 10 com pete tho wOrk about SlSOVJ,OOU
]