New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-22
THE COMMITTEES INVESTIGATION.

1ysrTvOSY OF w. B. TAYLOR, AN ENGINEER, AND
yx-sTATg ENGINEER VAN RENSSELAER, RICH
MOSD-THE CONTRACT SYSTEM THE MOST VICIOUS
EVER EMPLOYED
ALBANY, April 21.-The joint committee to
investigate the canal frauds resumed their duties this
afternoon
The first witness called was W. B. Taylor who testified
VAS FIRST employed as an engineer in IL 49, have been
connected the canals for 30 "a years regards
the ordinary repairs, Judgment is that ordinary re-
pairs should BE- put entirely into the hands of the Canal
Commiss and do not think the appointment OF
payna-ter world be in beneficial do not what
could be gained by IT as far as the Extraordinary repairs
are concerned would put the work exclusively under
the control Of the State Engineer in letting contracts
would aIwsys let them TO the lowest BIDDER cannot re-
call an where contractor has lost anything on
unbalanced bds. In the contract for The construction OF
vertical wall the Glen's Falls feeder in the village
of sandy Hill, he thinks there great discrepancy
bet yean the prices oak AMI hardwood and that the
State has been q loser by this contract,
the work costing moro than 1t was really worth In
regard 10 the Denscn contract he Thought the prices
were very large, and the letting should conform the
contract the engineers estimate. He stated that 1t 10
fact that en- ineers certify 10 work when they know
that IL ia not wholly up TO the specifications. He thinks
engineers should be held responsible for their work In
regard 10 the De he heard from Mr. Barnes
that the contract was altered but knows OF
nothing further that would bring anything 10
Hrht except what exCnDal Comnl.soner Barley
has testified to- Mr. Taylor then, at the request OF
counsel gave statement showing how appointments and
removals were made rcsIrcting canal employees. The
matter Of politics the paramount canse OF appoint
mepts ell necrs superineidcrts, and others being APP
pointed because they ~ political influence.
Contractors might, by their political influence, get an
engineer appointed or removed, they might wish.
People could draw inference from such possibilities.
have heard threatening " have engineers
removed who would not pass upon contractors
work readily; Ibceve that Commissioners have occii-
MED that ni,cc totally unnt the position
Tar ~ my eIperience goes know OF engineer who
WIS removed upon q contractors suggestion; the State
Engineer supposed TO visit state work but he has
power or authority to alter say anything about the
WORK; tug state Enoeeg must Sgn all ana accounts,
il something pslpably wrong on the face
Of an account the State Engineer cannot srnd
IL back for generally he knows nothing personally
whether the accounts right wrong AFTER the con-
Tract is let tie duties OF the state Engineer are merely
pominal Inspectors required 10 examine State work
Al every stage OF its work. but willie they are generally
COMPETENT men very often men employed who are
quite incompetent division and rcsident engineers and
an otlr employees the line OF the canal appontd
In caucus of the political majority Of the
Canal Board; . Republican engineer would not
be apt 10 be appointed by Democratic
Canal Board rice canal commissioned say