New-York tribune., 1875-02-26
MUNICIPAL THEN rs.
THE CONTROLLERS POSITION,

THE CONTROLLERS POSITION.
MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE srNxws
YUND-THE DOCK DEPARTMENT ASKS yoa
$l.0OO,C00-THE CONTROLLER ENDEAyoRs To
EXPLAIN HIS POsITION-TuE DOCK CoMMIssros
ERs ASKED To FURNISH CERTAIN INFORMATION
The Commissioners of the Sinking Fund
met Yesterday In the Office of the Controller Tner.
were present tho Mayor. Controller. City Chamberlain
aud Recorder Commissioner Wales OF the Depsrtmsnt
OF Docks also present. The Controller present.d
protest from William f. Morgan against tho award by
the Commissioners Of Docks Of tho contract for tia
erection Of sheds the piers Nos a ana a
North River the ground that he was the lowest bid
der. and that his bids were In compliance With thA
law. Mr. Morgan gave notice that he would hold tha
city responsible for any loss that be might sustain IN
consequence Of q failure to receive the award HIS bid
was S654l less than the next lowest bidder bat waa
rejected on account Of normaity IN accordance With
the opinion Of the Corporation Counsel, given some
time previous in similar case The protest was re-
ferred to the Department OF Docks
A communication was received from the Commission
Of Docks asking that the Controller be authorized
issue 100000 In bonds the proceeds to be placed at tho
disposal OF tho Department OF Docks, to carry the
work OF improving the water fronts OF tho city The
Controller wished to speak Of the charges made against
him by Commissioner Wales before the Law Committos
Of tho Board OF Aldermen, and was proceeding Il
answer then when the Mayor said that the matter had
nothing to do with the resolution, and he must
decide 1t out OF order. Commissioners Wales nav
ing received permission to make an explanation,
said the reports testimony In the daily pape
were brief abstracts and In instances contained
gross errors and he protested against the
Of such reports evidence The Controller said he b.
eved that the reports were in the main. correct and
they contained serious charges against himself Mr..
storrs read extract from OF the printed rcpor
at his request. The Mayor wanted TO know what tna
testimony Of member Of the Commission had 70 do
with the meeting OF the Commissioners OF the Sinking
Fund The Controller thought that the Mayor as well
himself was interested in the matter The Mayor
replied that he had knowledge that no was In any
wise concerned iu It, Tho Controller said he would en-
deayor TO show that what he had to say was pernens
10 the question The Ma yor again declared that hs
must rule the question out OF order, and wished 70
know OF the Controller, II he thought the Commss9n
OF the Sinking Fund formed tne proper 70
pass upon the errors shortcomings OF the Dock Com
mssoDers Further discussion was ended by Tue refer
of the question OF issuing tho bonds asked iOr ey
the Dock Commissioners, to the controller al Voens In
the affirmative except the Controller.
The Controller then offered preamble and resou.
ons calling upon the Dock Commissioners to furnlsn 70
the Board the following Information: First, state
showing the cost Of the new piers ouiit oy ina
with the percentage they yield annually on the cost;
second. statement Of what piers, wharyes ana Iocs
are not rented any, and the reasons therefore, thrd:
statement OF the amount OF rent OF piers wharves aho
docks uncollected, and the reasons thereor FOURTH
been performed according to the plan or plans lot the
Improvement Of the water front; utth. statemens
showing whether any work has been performed I'D 1914
not embraced In said plan plans and the amount 20
expended and whether the same was done Dy cOnLrcs
or otherwise The Controller said that soon atter ina
massage OF the charter. In order that tnere ght
be harmony In the various departments, ne nad
prepared a circular containing the ordlnances ina!
should govern them in the acceptance Of bids lie ha1
10 be present at the various departments when Dids
were opened. There probably 1000 OF these In tbs
course OF year Precautions had to be taken TO pre-
vent the acceptance Of worthless suretes and to SEQ
that the contractors bound as 10 nlsn thetr
contracts instead Of doing the profitable part ana
having received their pay Tor that portion leaving inc
work unfinished and the city without redress. Inc
Controller then spoke in reference TO the charge tnas
he nd delayed three months the acceptance OF he
sureties of the contractor who furnished granite Tor
pier No l. The lowest bid for granite was by tos
Oneco Granite Company, and was for $4,000. gento
man who has only been connected with the DOCK DO
partment for co days had made charges against nun or
delaying decision IN the case OF these sureties.
AT this point the Mayor again lnterposed ana sala
appeared to be O personal matter between ne Controner
and Commissioner Wales The Controller declared nat
t was not q personal but public matter He had oeen
constantly Interrupted but would defer to the wishes or
the gentlemen He believed he had right to speak.
although it might not be agreeable TO some to hear
vote taken the resolutions OF the Controller
and they carried, all voting in the affirmative.
The Secretary ordered to transmit copy VI the
resolutions to the Commissioners Of Docks.