The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-05
NARROWING SOUTH sTRl


Commissioner Wales called attention to 4 reso-
luton offered oy him at previous meeting In ref
erence to narrowing South street. The present
line makes the width Of the street 200 feet, and
tue Engineer. IT, Chief thinks this an uunecessary
width. By narrowing the street to 4O feet and draw
Ing in the bulkheads and piers CORRESPONDENCE 1t
Is estimated that q saving might be made to the
city OF nearly s75o,0c0 per mile. An examination OF
the subject showed that additional legislation
would be required to accomplish this. On mo lion
OF Commissioner Wales resolution was adopted
giving 1t as the sense OF the Board that 1t would
be Tor tine interest OF the city have the changes
made, and that steps be taken to prepare the
necessary bill To be introduced into The Legisa-
ture.
Commissioner Wales desired to state In refer
ence 10 the leasing OF certain piers on the East
Railroad, Of which complaint had been made. that
their occupancy by the road was merely tempo.
rary and while certain proposed improvements
were in allegiance; that they had not been leased
Tor any definite time, but the road was In the
position OF tenant at will. The Board then
adjourned.
MAYOR wICKHAM AND THE COMMISSIONERS.
President Westervelt when questioned BY a
charges aQainst himself and Commissioner Budd,
alleged to have been prepared BY the MAYOR, said
"orIS nare & sacm cnaages ano. OF
their effect. "1he report OF the commissioners OF
Accounts IN reference to this department." said
Mr.. Westervelt, "was placed IN our hands some
thing more than week ago by the Mayor, who
desired our statement or answer to certain parts
OF 1t. This would have been furnished ere his,
tut the clerk in the ONCE VINO, had charge or
the preparation OF tie papers. and Is
fully cOgnlZant OF everything TO wnicn the report
refers, was tafen sick with he dpnLherla. or this
the Mayor has been notified and the time given as
extended by him. nave no doubt whatever that
our statement, when made, Will be entirely satis-
factory to the Mayor and TO the public AS to the
assertion which mas been made that have been
endeavoring 10 bring political influence to bear
upon HIS Honor, or that my trends have done so,
nothing could be more absurd. the Commission
ers are the legal and responsible heads oil TINS de.
parimeni, ana. beyond our usual consultations
with the Engireerln-Cnei III matters apper aiming
TO mis- ONCE and WITH the Corporation Counsel,
when requiring legal ADVICE. we have not sought
advice nor Is any one authorized 10 advise u.s." IS
Subsequently Commissioner Bud stated that
the report OF the Com mlS5loners OF Accounts had
been handed niin oy the Mayor ON Wednesday
week, Win tne remark that he had Onnd it wnen
assuming offics, and requesting an answer to eer-
tam allegations or charges IN II. This answer had
been delayed Tor the reasons stated by President
Westerveit but would be ready on Wednesday
next. lie could not, with property, lurnsn the
report Tor publication at present; but The points
at Issue were for the most part cased upon the
Interpretation OF the law to the powers and
duties OF the department. The changes which mad
been made IN the charter ana the reduction oil the
number OF commissioners, Tor example, had
caused some difference OF opiuion In re erence to
their powers; but they had been careful TO con.
suit the CUrpOratlon Counsel ali matters OF
doubt ana were satisfied that their course would
be approved. AS to the accounts and the steward.
snip. generally OF the Commissioners, they were
ready at al. times for the severest Inspection.