New-York tribune., 1874-02-23
ANOTHER JOB EXPOSED.

THE HUDsON-AvE. SEWER FOUND To BE WORTHLESS
-S33OOOO WASTED ON rT-wnIIAM c. KINGSLEY
THE FAVORED. CONTRACTOR.
Brooklyn taxpayers are again about to be
compelled to pay a third Of million dollars for public
work which constructed by William c. Kingsley
under illegally made with him by the Board
City Works. and which has already proved to be prac
ticslly worthless.
The construction Of the Hudson-ave main and lat
ersl sewers the for which completed
q short time since aud awaiting the consIdera
ton OF committee Of the Brooklyn Common Council,
affords an interesting illustration OF the neceDcy and
favortsm of the Board Of City Works and exhibits the
peculiar influence OF the Brooklyn Ring In working out
its schemes. Even the members of the Board Of City
Works seem heartily ashamed Of the whole transaction
President Palmer and Secretary Northrup of Board
refused any questions OF TRIBUNE reporter
relation TO the undertaking. and appeared desrous Of
casting all blame the Engineer OF the Board. julius
Adams who supervised the work. Both Messrs Palmer
and Northrup in doubt whether the Engineer was
under control OF the Board though be appointed
and sustained In office by 1t. From the unwnguess OF
these officials give OF the details in regard TO the
sewer 1t very difficult TO arrive at the fraudulent
features the undertaking. but the general character
OF the transaction will be apparent from perussl Of
the following report to the Committee Of Fifty, sub
mitted aud adopted on Saturday last:
THE REPORT.
To me Co8.mlttes or fDg: 1ne undersigned, special
committee OF your body appointed TO investigate and
report with regard to the expenditures paid By the city
for the construction OF the Hutsonaye main and lateral
sewers for which have recently been Land
under direc of the Board Of City Works respect
fully report:
The district assessed for this work is bounded mainly
by Grand ave. Prospect Park. Csrrollst, Sixth and
FatDushaves Fulton, Bridge, York, and Navy sts, and
Flushingave covering an area OF about 1900 acres.
Previous to 1871 this district had been drained by
sewer system long USE having lis trunk under Ray
mondt and the City Park and an outflow at the Navy
Yard. The State Legislature OF 1888 passed act
cedng jurisdiction to the United States Government
over the grounds which It occupies Tor hos
ptal and naval purposes, but expressly re-
serving all vested rights OF the city over
tho lands for purposes, The General Govern.
ment apparently recognizing the right of the Legisa
make this reservation, IN the same year under
the supervision aud according 10 the plans of Samuel
McElroy, the wellknOwn engineer of this city, con
strueted through the Government grounds con
Meeting with the sewerage OF the district, ana
thus conducted the drainage TO tde-Hater According
to a report made tie condition OF the R,ymondst.
1870 appears TO have become the subject of
Z" complaint FROM property owners RaymOnd-st. aud
vicinity after heavy storms and the injury and IN
convenience described resulting from Its I'M
perfect grade and construction" Notwithstanding the
ntimatons 0f such report your Committee are unable
TO discover the reasons that compelled or even
made advisable the construction Of sewerage sys-
tenn or that dsLgc nstol OF repairing the one already
eks,ns. especially 0onslerDs tae sseas 1asi2@Vs VI