The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-10-18
THE DOCK DEPiRTMENT.
Interview with Gtn. G.. X. Graham. tho
Late chief Eneinccr- -CInptrap about n
boards AuimOsity to Gen. Mcclellan.

BOnrds AutmO-ity to ten Mcticiihh.
Desiring to ascertain the views OF Gen.
c. X. Graham, who recently resigned his onlce
a. Chief Engineer of the Dock Department, re-
specting the pending Investigation, we sent
reporter to SEQ him.
Reporter-I am sent. General, to ask " YOU
have yet appeared before the Board OF En-
gincers. and II 20. what was doneP
Gen. Graham--I have, but cannot repeat any
thing that occurred. as 1t would be a violation
OF profc- sional dccorum. You win have to walt
for frrther Information until the board closes
its Investigation and makes its report to the
Mayor.
Rcportor-win the department work be sus-
pended in the mean timer
Answer-I cannot say.
Reporter-A lareo number of men have been
thrown out OF employment and many Of them
blame you for IL.
Answer-t am sorry for that. and to convince
you that am in no way responsible for the sus-
pension Of the work will read you paragraph
from the communication sent to the board in
| October, 1874, In which tho beton en- masse"
| plan was suggested. 81 herewith submit. for
| the consideration Of tho Board Of Commission
! crs governing the department, u plan for the
! construction Of the hulkhcad wall at the Canal
stree, section The necessity for such a plan
arises from the constant employment of the
and at now pi.r l. n ~ AZ this time there
| were several hundred men employed by the de-
| partment. and " was INV object to Keep the best
ot them during the winter. and that was accom-
| plished hN the adoption of the plan.
| Repor;er-is II true that the walls built by
YOU are badly damaged, and will have to be
Answer-It is not. The wall built by me, AZ
Canal street. H. IN perfect order. and Will last
present Snnerin,endcnt OF Construction. after
my resignation. before II Nas three weeks o.d
and rubhle blorks ard tins piece Of consider te
wisdom, occasiOned the cracks where the old
work Joined the new. The King street section
likewise. built after left the department. was
recklessly hurried and stripped OF its mould
boards before ITS exterior surface had indurated
IN direct violation of the ruditnents familiar 10
every tyro in the profession. II my successor
entertained serious fears OF the stability Of tbs
walls built AZ Canal and King streets, he could
have returned TO the block system without rem
dering the department ridiculous and odtous tc
tho community by an entire suspension OF
work. In a communication addressed by me 10
! President Westefvelt crittcising very nlerito-
shortly after became engineer aud suggesting
| In preference the block system. ~ subsequently
! anil,ed hv mo at Chris.opher street [ stated,
- The seven rows Of piiing placed IN the rear o
the wall submitted by me, and which are de
signed to intercept the thrust which would
otherwise be cNcrted on the rear OF the wall
can proirude auoNe the level of hugh water. an.
he Traced aud securely lied tucether. so ina
they may bear platform or scanOld winch ma,
he used In the pro.eVutipn Of the work. Ell he
for moulding the ctnn block required for tn,
, work. for other service calcul ted Il
relieve the river front OF oostructions
When the masonry Is completed, th'
? platform can TIE removed, tue pies Gu
| ~ At the 81 propri.te level. anu b
I capped. previous tO inserting the street filling
. II the fOuudat ION piles were not already driver
for the walls. hs could h ave put IN he stay pie
nrst and butt the block thereon. and thes
I blocks would then have mad the opportunity L
4 | harden for several months hefere they wer
! | placed In the wall. The mouds were stored a
. | the Gansevooft street yard and ten DAYS tim
, | would have been cient 90 drive the requist
| nun Der Of piles and deck them over for the re
| cepton OF the moulds. After the adoption q
| the " beton en- masse' plan, when II was proha
| ble that work would be commenced on the Eas
river near Coenties slip. IL l. well known 10 IN
assistants. Messr-. Van Bnreu, X I'd. and iden
| hurst. and likewise to Gen. Hamilton, that | In
| tended making use OF blocks on that section
supported 10y rip-rap foundation. the bed o
a | the river being composed n rock. and there be
ing no foothold for liles. Non Will see. there
fore, that never intended doing away with IN
block system. hut that ! proposed 10 Use
= wherever there was rock rcservins the " boto
u en- m sse" system for the we'll sheltered an'
Z OvercrOwOed slips In the North river. where tn
q employ Oyment OF the large derrick. with the nt
- merOus tugs and scows required to keep ht
= active, would he very decided impc diment
u the commercial euj oSmcnt Of that highly Nalui
u he water trout. | Intended, however. doin
II away with cOui irete blocks, which are unnece
e sariiy costly and Substituting rubber bioci
= similar 10 those used in the construction OF 1T
y works at Dublin.
g keuoiter-Ihen you did not contemplate dc
Il ing entirely away with Gen. MCClellan's system
~ Gen. Graham-I did not, and all the claptra
~ about the amnesty Of the board which appoin
u ed me. to that hoporcd gentleman and ablc et
" cinecr l. an mi nous fabrication, nut in circl
= latiun Dy certain designing parties who desire
j. keep themselves In ilacc hy means OF his inf'
I. ence. Neither President WeSteryet nor Con
- mis-ionc r. Ruld aud q rducr ever I'd cith'
~ the cowardice or malice to reflect upon eth
~ Gen. McClellau'- personal or professional chh
~ for me To say IL they had that would ha'
- repelied any unworthy imput.tion wish scorn.