The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-14
THE GREEN INVESTIGATION.

THE ALDERMANIC COMMITTEE INQUIRNG INTO
THE CoMPTRoLLER's PECcADHLoEs-FRIEND
sTERN's BILL OF ONE THOUSAND SIX HUN
DRIED DOLLARS.
The investigation into the charges made against
Comptroller Green was resumed yesterday alter
noon in the committee room OF the Board OF Alder
men. Alderman Purroy, chairman OF the Invest
eating Committee, and Aldermen Shandley and
Billings were present.
The chairman first called James Kedtan, who,
alter beng sworn, stated - am member OF the
firm OF Kedian & Brothers; we did some plumbing
and other work for the College Of New York; our
bills were audited by Mr.. Davenport; they were
paid yesterday; Mr.. Green refused payment At
first unless submitted to an unreasonable deduc-
ton; he sent q man named McConkey, who was
perfectly Incompetent to report on 1t, to examine
the work. that man was sent in January, 1874;
he did not know galvanized iron from tin he
examined the ROOF. looking from the street, about
seventy fve foot away; my bills were audited
June 20, 1878, End August, 1879. The per-
sons connected with the College have tried
to get the bills paid, but Mr. Green re used on the
basis OF McCoakey's report; entered an action
and obtained a mandamus on about April or May,
1874; 1t was to compel the President OF the Board
OF Education to sign the draft; an appeal was
made by Mr.. Green, but the decision was con-
Hrmed; the drafts were then signed, but the
chamberlain would not pay them as he stated
that there was no money set apart by the Comp
troer to meet them; several demands were made
on Mr.. Green but he refused payment Hntil yester.
day; that Is after l was subpHnaed as witness;
do not know The amount OF costs that the CITY
Mr. Gerard Seng sworn retained
by Mr.. Kedlan TO collect claim against the Col
lege OF the City OF New York ior WORK done. Wit,
ness then explained the line OF action he mad
taken to collect this bill OF over $4,000 ana the
legal grounds upon which he based his deman1
fnr nov n q
Mr. KedIan amounted to $3.50, and the bill paid
yesterday was s42S2 showing loss to the ne CITY
Green ana asked him to pay 1t, and ne told me
"this was Tree country and could DC what
case, and made another demand for Mr. Kedans
money Will also state that there was plenty oil
excuse or not meeting our draft do not know
why the money was PAID yesterday, unless there
MIR. Wlhlam H. Nelson President oil the Board
OF Education, stated have been President or the
Board OF Education Tor about two years-since the
new law wa, passed; the Board OF Education mas
power to audit claims Tor orK done to the City
College; the Comptroller has claimed the right 70
control all the money received Tor the use OF the
Board or Education; the Board has passed reso-
luton ordering the Comptroller to place to t1er
credit all moneys for their use; tho Comptroller
asked legal ADVICE and. finding we were right.
ordered the money TO be paid over ITO 10
Vsnenc ae'e and %aS in some sum Instances great
Inconvenience Dy the action OF the Comptroller;
in a few cases we nave been anloJed as people s,
dificuity in getting their pay; heard Mr..
Kedians statement, and may say that the COM
mittee audited the bill and 1t went 10 the Comp
troller's ONCE, who demanded reduction before
he would pay 1t; Mr.. Gerard's account OF the pro-
| ceedings Is also correct; there was d1hculty
about a philosophical instrument that was i'm
ported that Comptroller Green refused TO pay Tor;
there nave also been some delays in the payment
| OF the teachers employed by the Board Of Educa-
| ton.
being sworn, stated that most of thus difficulty
had arisen from an incorrect Interpretation OF the
position OF the College o. New YORK In reg regard 10
ment with a view to explaining The condition Of
affairs and told the story OF the philosophical in
strument how 1t lay at an express ONCE until the
company threatened to sell 1t for expenses unless
the pm vas paid; it put US to considerable lncon-
Mr.. George II. Forster, sworn, stated Il ex-
amined the annexation bill OF '73 and drew up
some clauses that would obvlste constitutional
objections; went over the subject very carefully
with the assistance OF another gentleman, ana
alter It was engrossed | sent It to MI. Caldwell,
the bill before the House and had 1t printed; as
sSs p aopes s 1 Se Msyo Of
Comptroller and others, asking them TO send any
suggestions they might wish to make; MIR. simon
he bad been requested to look into the matter BY
the Comptroller; he wanted to know what we
having Mr.. stern take q favorable view Of the
bill, ana passed some three or Jour hours explain
Ing TO MI Mr. stern 1 ter sent me
changes mostly favorable to the Comptroller;
the section IN regard TO maps was struck out by
myself, and believe Mr.. Stern assented to 1t; 1
should not think Mr. 'Stern's services to the city
in connection with the Annexation bill were
worth 81, 600.
MIR. Caldwell then went through the Annexation
bill, explaining all the amendments that were
made. The only original amendment made by
Mr. Stern was In section 8. and contains nine
printed lines; | believe altogether he made
twelve original lines. II Mr.. Stern was paid 81 600
for these twelve lines he was paid at the rate Of
$l33 33 per line, and II he mad written the whole Of
the original lines he would have 4 claim for
100000; think Mr.. Stern's bill very exorbltant.
The investigation was then adjourned until
Wednesday at hal past Two P. M.