The New York herald., 1875-11-09

aA 1914 IucrWuulc OF the ulsuuFsthlcho
made during his administration in the Comptroler's
Office
QUITE DIFFERENCE.
Some OF the differences IN the prices between MI
Boards bid and those paid 70 Kingsley keeney
were as foows;-
Kseaes Beard
Excavatng sand per yard......... 81 -
Excavating mud per yard ........ ~ % 80 ~ ~
Concrete ner ward - 10 90 90
pilrng nor ION 100 90 35 90
Stone iintne ner ton - 90 90
Publicity Of this outrage Immediately given II
was the subject Of inquiry OF remonstrance ana pro-
test by the Committee Of Fifty and the Committee u
One Hundred and denounced 6y the independent
press Nevertheless ii went straight along. The sum
OF &77 600 was paid for surveying the ground for
which 4 few hundred or few thousand dol
mns0n fn ~ nnsI wnnll he liberal price
Several hundred thousand dollars OF bonds were mme-
datey issued and placed IN the hands q the water
Board without any restrictions on them whatever.
Until the law was changed by the charter of 1873
neither the Mayor tie Comptroller was responsible
for auditing the bills paying the money. Up 70 the
time when the law changed making those officials
responsible Is believed that about $500 900 were PAID
out on this contract
provided that tho contractors should furnish AZ their
own cost expense all the necessary materials and
labor 10 excavate and build in good, firm and sub
stantal the storage according to the
specifications with all It's appliances aud appurtenances
OF every kind complete and the same was to be com
pleted On before November 80 1874
on June IL 1875, Kingsley Keeney sent a commu-
nicauon 10 the Common Council that thcre was yet
amounting 10 SECS 200 IN the communication
they claim tha. they have been paid for
S270000 The contract further provided that
eighty per cent OF the money due on the work
should be paid monthly as i progressed and that the
remaining twenty per cent thereof should only be pad
follows Ten per cent when the contract IS COM
pleted duly certified 70, and The remaining ten per
cent at the expiration Of months from the final
ccptance OF the whole workn The twenty per cent
reserved the contract would have amounted TO
about s2s7 600 yet ali but $57 coo OF this money has
tbt ann DtNag mid Mr.
S6hrocder's administration as Comptroller, and
100000 have been paid since his success
pear that Brooklyn has expended Sl.400 600
for an increase OF her water supply that there great
uncertainty whether the expenditure VIII result IN any
increase Of water that hall million more are asked
complete the present designs, and that II IS be-
lieved additional expenditure Of S2OOO0Oo VIII be
requisite TO make the reservoir hold water when it
is completed IL is also asserted by the most compe
tent civil engineers acquainted with the matter that by
a different plan OF tapping the streams and
running an open conduit for few miles at the
foot Of the hills, Tor an expenditure OF a
few hundred thousand dollars an inexhaustblc supply
OF water could have been obtained. II was never
claimed that the present reservoir would be able de-
liver than 10 600 900 gallons per dny for 100 days
will be at least ten times much in proportion as tho
original cost was OF bringing to the CITY 2oOOO 900
gallons per day
charged ia this reservoir summed up in the
exurbant prices paid In the decreased depth Of the
reservoir in its extension beyond the specified limits
tie allowance for extra hauage, and paying out Of
money before II was earned. In regard 70 the
prices paid they are fully explained above
In regard to the decreased Depth the specifications
call for the excayating OF 81 acres to depth OF
TWENTY-FIVE feet In violation OF this agreement the
digging has been scattered larger area nowhere
at greater depth than nineteen feet and some OF u
but few ec IN depth In regard to the extension the
contract specified that change from the specification
should be made, excepting when rendered necessary
by circumstances developed during the progress OF the
work. II would appear that the enlarged area Of the
reservoir had been agreed upon prior TO the commence
mn n
the specifications is ia excess OF the appropriation
authorized by law and without authority IN the
tract In the matter OF extra haulage the contract
specifies that ior every 100 feet Of haul beyond 900
feet three cents per cubic yard shall be paid.
The reservoir is long narrow pond, not unlike
section Of canal From us centre 10 the bank on
either side Is for the greater part Of the distance not
COO feet, and al the widest place not over 800
feet Every foot Of earth has been charged for hauling
200 feet 600 feet This charge at six cents per
yard, amounts TO Sl0l,000 The last Legislature was
solicited to appropriate $500 900 be expended the
reservoir but there nothing in the law compelling
the contractors 10 guarantee the supply Of single gal
Ion OF water or do anything II was looked upon by
the citizens such unmitigated outrage that indig
nation meetings were held and discussion ensued be-
tween the citizens and the Water Board before COM
mittee Of the Common Council At those meetings
Mr.. William Burdon, President of the New York
Hydraulic and Draining Company, submitted a
proposition TO furnish Brooklyn any amount OF
water which the Common Council might at any time
require for per cent interest upon $500 900 or fora
total cost of $35, 900 year. Mr.. Burdons company
agreed TO superntcnd their line Of canal keep ii free
from impedments and pay all the expenses Of deliver
ing the the present elevating works East
New York
II is believed that the present cost OF superntendence,
pumping &c, is 500, 900 year The anpropr
alton $500 authorized by the Legislature has not
yet been accepted by the Common Council
One thing which has been omitted in the foregoing is
the OF the quantities Of earth saia 70 have
been cxcayated No less quantity than 6S5 $50 cubic
yards have been charged Tor Some Of the best civil
engineers and contractors in Brooklyn stated as their
opinion that ii win bc diacult to showwhere more than
half this quantity Of earth has been taken from the
cavaton