New-York tribune., 1874-03-09
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
STREET CLEANING IRREGULARITIES.

POLITICAL AssEssMENTS IN THE POLICE AND STREET
CLEANING DEPARTMENTs--UsE MADE OF STREET
swEEPINGs, RAGS AND JUNK.
The Assembly Committee on Cities, on Sat
urday resumed It's Investigation into the workings OF
tho street Cleaning Bureau Judge John McQaade tes
titled that his son Thomas had contract with Mr.
Jones for filling number Of lots in Ninety and
Ninety -ffth-sts; he made argreement with tho
Board Police to take street dirt and ashes at O per
soow load Each load to consist OF $50 cubic yards
about IS soow loads had been delivered up 10 last sat
urday; bill was generally rendered every Monday
morning OF the number OF loads delyered he paid az
follows: Feb L. $50; Feb. 16. $50 Feb. %, $780, and on
March q slsO George Dout testified that he was en-
Moved I'm the foundery OF Cook & Radley, and had
charge of their matter he had paid 10 cents per
load for dumping at the foot OF eghth-st the
stuff dumped boiler ashes he was finally prevented
from dumping any more
Albert Stcgertbal, outdoor manager for Stenway
Sons testified that he had paid TO- Is and cents for the
privilege of dumping at the foot Of oriysixthst East
River; dumped there from June until the middle OF
January Others testified to dumping reuse in the city
and paying for the privilege. Lewis Herlig clerk OF
Capt Hyatt Superintendent OF scows, testified That ho
had been that position siuce July lSs 1878, ana was
stationed at the Office at the foot OF Stantons near the
dump: he had also served at Harlem and at Newtown
Creek made up the pay rolls Of the Italians who worked
here had heard that they paid the foreman part OF
their wages; names were mentioned; heard they
pad a bonus for being allowed to work; the trimmers
and men engaged unloading the picked out the
rags and from the stuff the scows he believed
that Capt Hyattt ook this: Brown, ono Of the scow
men, attended TO this work and disposed OF 1t.
James Lee testified that he had been an inspector In
the Street Cleaning Bureau since June Is, 1872 had col
lected money in the Police Department for political
purposes; received letter from the late Commissioner
smith asking tho friends Of the Republican party to
subscribe funds during the Presidential compaign;
showed this 70 Samuel LeC0mpte believed that
Capt. Petty subscribed 800; the letter was only In
tended the Republican members OF the force< Thought
that some of the cartmen employed by tho Street Clean
ing Bureau contributed; did not expect any money
from the Democrats they have collections of their own
for similar purposes his duty inspector was TO
make an examination the Streets to their condl-
ton give directions 10 the foremen; the work was
we'll done In ls73 except for the last month aud haf
when laborers OF any account were empioyod tno
sweeping ceased In November and there was little done
n that month during December; no claimed tho Guy
carts were made 70 contain cubic yard; when nIed
on the streets they contained that amount but by the
time the dumps were reached had settled no
thought the inspectors tho dumps we're night ID al
lowing these as full loads otherwise tho cartmen would
| not work.
VIM L. Peck OF the firm OF Henry A. Peck q Co., tes'
tilted that he had received 1900 loads OF manure and
street dirt from city, which he had sold at from % to
|
city OF to Capt Thorno tho latter told tho witness that
he would furnish vessels he would give him all the
stuff he wanted used pay Brown IT, o. and 80 cents
per load thought his arrangement was benefit to the
city it woud be necessary for the city to procure sail
ing carry the manure to points where IL would
| DO made available; he would not have taken tho ma
nure from Capt Thorne ho had not got 1t for nothing
Abraham ?. Skidmoro, partner OF MI Peck testined
that he paid John L. Brown for the city manure from
| June l. 1871. to October, 1872, 81 ,6l0 63.
Arthur McQuade, junk dealer testified that he had
purchased Junk OF various kinds from the city scOws
paid Mr. Nesbit from July 13. 1872, TO May T. 1873.
slIei o.: had any dealings with Capt Hyatt;
found not paying business to buy up this refuse
| and quit it.
David r. Atkins superintendent OF the Farmers Pro
tecye Union testified that he purchased two boat
loads OF manure paid man named DAVIS as on each
occasion, and took his receipt: In conversation with
Commissioner Charck In reference to tho receipt or
money he said they had received none witness then
showed him his receipts Mr. Charliok said It was
strange and introduced him to Capt. Thorne. who
said If he would put his boats under the
dumps, especially at the foot OF stanton-st.
be cond have oil the he
wanted Mr. Brown used to pile up tho manure on the
wharf and boat could be loaded In two hours; now 1t
sometimes takes six days. never paid Capt Tborne
or the Street Cleaning Bureau. either directly ind
recty for what received. promised 70 do so;
understood that the who had taken his money and
given receipts for the discharged could not
afford to pay anything for the dirt II the boats were kept
waiting for long time there certain Of the
year when the city should receive something for the
sweepngs say from May to October; believed tho city
lost nothing by tho privilege Of unloading on Long
Island; 1t is cheaper to pay the Long Island Company
TO unload 1t than tow the down the bay; can
get scow from Twentiethst East River, to Newtown
Crock for a. and Thirtyseventhst. North River,
to the Same place the cost OF towage IS $40.
Cen Barlow called the attention OF the Committee TO
the fact that Capt Hyatt. although subpenaed had not
appeared before the Committee. The Chairman said
they would take action the matter In executive
session
Frank Frett testified that he employed as inter
prefer errand boy in the Street Cleaning Depart
inent where Italians employed; Mr.. Brewer, the
foreman came 10 him day and said he wanted TO
collect from each OF the workmen that II they did
not pay they would be discharged witness objected
said he had heard OF such thing before Mr.
BrOwer said he must have the money or he would
have them all discharged by Capt Hyatt he told wit
ness that II he would inform the men he would DO re-
leased from tho payment OF his amount witness told
the and advised them not to pay anything Brewer
called the day. one by one, and asked them
tho after seven or eight had refused to
pay did ask any more, and refunded the money
TO a who had pafd had often seen junk and rags
separated and oarted away.
Jobn Hayes grocer testified that he had two horses
In Street Department, but refused TO
a political assessment. and In consequence one horse
was dropped altogether and tho other only employed
occasionally.
The Committee then adjourned until today.