New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-03-02

AN ORDER FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OP ATTORNEY
GENERAL wIIIIAMSs PROPERTY ILLEGAL AS
EASEMENTS UPON PROPERTY
my TELEGRAPH FHE TRmUSE.l
WASHINGTON, March, The members Of tho
Committee ON the District Investigation have been
studying up the whole subject committed to them,
and many facts connected with the irregular ex-
pendture of money have been called to the attention
of individual members. The following specimens
of class. In reply to letter addressed to Gov.
Shepherd in October last an order was issued read
ing as follows:
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,
WARRINGTON, Oct IA, 1873
hessrs. RILEY and CLARKE
GENTLEMEN: You arc hereby requested TO grade and
fix the property OF Attorney General Williams to tie
satisfaction Of Mr. Williams. This work must be
menced at and finished without delay Ey order Of
the Board. Very respectfully,
CLEMENT HILL, General Inspector
The work in this case was done by Riley and Clarke,
and for grading inside of private lines of prop
erty, and not for streets The Board OF Public
Works paid this S2.139. Ofthis, part was charged
to an alley in the rear of the property part to an
avenue where these contractors never worked, and,
fact. to the grading of square two streets away
from the property. The cellar Of the house, AZ
stated to members Of the Committee, was dug by
public teams and wOrkmen. Besides, work to the
amount of 81 1872 done by these contractors on
the same property under the above order, which still
remains unpaid. These contractors also filled up
certain lot for which DIR. Blake a member Of the
Board Of Public Works, is the agent, at cost of
$ll5O. This was paid in certificates and charged to
an avenue where these contractors never worked.
Testimony has also been offered TO show that
grading and sodding has also been done around tho
property of two Senator's An assessment upon ono
square has been discovered where the cost as shown
by the Auditors figures, was $4,000. and the
mcnts were $1,000, or 5000 above the amount
paid by the Board. Two cases have been ascertanod
where improvement certificates for large amounts
were issued against property of prominent citizens
and sold in NewYOrk, when the assessments on
some of the property had been almost entirely paid
here.
GOV. sHEPHERDs REPLY TO The QUESTIONS PRO-
POUNDED BY THE CoIMITIEE-TIIE ORIGINAL
CONTRACTS OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS,
WITH THE MEASUREMENTS AND voUcHERs-TliE
FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE DISTRICT Gov
ERSMENT.
GENERAL PREss DIsPATCn.l
WASHINGTON, March 1.-Goy. Shepherd he's
replied interroltories propounded by the Com
mittee to investigate the affairs Of the District OF
Columbia. The papers include the original contracts
made by the Boacd of Public Works numbering 1,O32,
together with the original measurements aud Vouchers
numbering 1851.
Ia answer to question TO the indebtedness of the
old corporations OF Washington and Georgetown and the
Levy Court when the Government went into effect
1t is stated at $5a02 The bonded debt Of the District
OF Columbia Jan. /, 1874 tj,527e5o The present
assessed valne OF property is s96.3,OI2 as against
S70997,i5i IN 1871.
In reply 10 question. what amount, ~ any, does
the District Government estimate ought to be paid BY
the United States for the Improvements OF public prop
ery made by 1.-The District Government The answer ia
that BOard of Public Works, in their report to Tho
President dated Now Gt estimated such indebtodness
aud gave the aggregate at eO0J370 This, however Is
small portion OF the equitaby due by the Govern
ment on account OF expenditures mado by citizens in
their corporate capacity for the Improvement OF the
streets aud avenues OF the city and the roads
and thOroushiares of other parts OF the District.
IL appears from statement or the Register that from
1904 to lo the Government went into opera
ton that S999 had been expended by tho citizens
under tho old corporations for public improvements
ma e.ponditures of the Board Works the
ton OF the District Government have been streets
aud avenues s55G26s5 Total expenditures by citizens
since 1901 SI 7G2l7 Tho amount expended by tho United
States during the period, on streets ana avenues
o showing an excess OF expenditures by citizens
over the Government on the improvement of streets
and avenues and roads, nnetenths OF which are used
absolutely by the Government, Of s2)25J4 II is shown
trict of Columbia fully equals, it does not exceed IN
value, that owned by citizens.
The appropriation for the Fire Department by the
District Government last year sl65u6. Congress
has rendered aid TO this service Notwithstanding the
large number and great yalue OF the Government build
ngs In the district The only aid granted by Congress
in deraying the current expenses of the District is
annual appropriation toward the support OF the police
and IL is hoped they will adopt similar course toward
the schools Fro Department, aud the lighting Of the
streets.
1t is suggested by the Governor that authority be
given for funding the outstanding bonds into one con-
sodated loan bearing fair of interest, and that
committee personally visit and inspect the various dis
lrict Offices aud the improvements in order that they
NAV see for themselves operations OF tho and
the extent and value Of the other The Governor states
that he effected negotiation for loan based upon
Ia lien certificates sufficient TO the salaries OF the
school teachers and members OF the Police and Fire De-
partments but owing TO the grave and unfonnded i'm
putations OF the memoralists affecting tho Dlsriet
Governnent the realization OF the loan deferred
Referring to the certificates. the Governor in
closes the opinion OF Messrs Cushing and Black to show
their legality and being In the nature OF assessment
certificates and therefore forming no part Of the in
debedness of the District Government. Tho report of
the the Board of Public Works shows that
they have received TO Feb 49, N62S23l and expended
l6os O52 The assets Of the Board are stated at $780,
2S7 and the total liabilities at G.S52,95s This Is
exclusive OF the amount due by the United
states Government for improvements OF their
property The total amount OF certificates OF settle
ment Issued IS s7,54o65i; for filling purposes in the
prosecution OF special improvements done under con-
tract t229O9i for special improvements outside Of
contracts including material furnished not included In
measurement $2655Aso; on account Of miscellaneous
expenditures other than special improvements, and
payable by special appropriation, sa2solo on account
Of contingent expenses, pay Of employees, etc, ts9so
ON account OF water fund.- t3I0.N7.