The New York herald., 1875-11-20
THE DOCK DEPARTMENT.

THE SENATE COMMITTEE INVESTIGATING IT'S
MANAGEMENT-THE CONSTRUCTION OF PIERS
AND THEIR Observation-Disclosures OF THE
DEPARTMENT.
The Senate Investigating Committee resumed its ses-
sion yesterday morning at the Fifth Avenue Hotel
Senator Booth the only member present, and the
witnesses were examined by John l. Davenport coun-
eel to the committee The management OF the Dock
Department the subject under consideration
President Salem Wales the first witness called
and he testified to the number OF persons employed
the department. There upon the roll for the
weeks ending November 1s this year las names,
aging less than half time On the 18th Of the present
month the returns showed nincty-cght laborcrs at
work. As ofhce expenses there S54, s62 50 ex-
pended from January to November l. 1875. The esti
mates for November and December SO, 200, max
ing for the year. $50, o02 So Thirty-two watchmen
were employed divided into eight day and twenty
night men.
Cyrus p Smith, Managing Director of tho Union
Ferry Company was called. and he testified that the
Dock Department had tried TO extort money from
his company; the lease Of tho ferry privileges
made in 1870 for years at the rate OF 81 per year
Oscar J. Dc Nyse, fruit dealer pier q East River
He testified that he was acquainted with one Fitzpat
rick, in the employ OF the Dock Department Last
winter this came to witness and wanted to know
what IT would be worth II he could obtain him per-
NIT to keep fruit stand on the pier. Fitzpatrick
finally offered to got him permit for $3.50 saying that
most Of the money would not go to HIM, but to tho
office upon consultation with friend witness reported
these facts to the Dock Commissioners who examined
him at length, and promised TO further inyesti-
ssaiuo saincd he Syse also made verbal and then
q written complaint TO the Mayor upon the subject
but nothing was done BY the Mayor about II SO far as
ness upon the pier; when he conversed with Mr.
Wales upon the subject the latter advised him give
Fitzpatrick marked bill or hand him the money In
the presence OF witness but Fitzpatrick after
ward demanded money from him.
John Maginn testified that he had been q harbor
ter for two years and nine months; his district ex-
tended from pier Al North River TO Spuyten Duyvil
creek: many OF the bulkheads aud piers were much
crowded and n number exclusively occupied by
steamship companies under authority OF new law;
from West Eleventh street TO Fifty ninth street some
OF the piles OF brick and lumber look like forts and
greatly interfere with the commercial interests OF the
port rhe witness, however did not complain Of the
Dock Commissioners, he thought they did well
could be expected under the circumstances though
times they very ndulgent
Mr.. Wales then submitted several papers, among
which was list Of the leases by the department since
1870 and statement Of expenses for repairs to the
floating property IRON January to November, this year
showing them 10 be $37.00s 81
Commissioner Wcstervelt testified that all lessees
were required 10 Keep the surface backing pieces
and moving piles Of their piers in order at their
own expense and also TO do their own dredging; no
leased property bad ever been repaired at the depart
ments expense; while hc was President most Of the
lumber used purchased from Messrs. James Bgler
Co the delivery and quality Of the lumber were
inspected by the foreman, the duly authorized in
specor and frequently by himself; the witness had
bcen a shpbulder for more than half q century, and
considered himself expert ia lumber, the contracts
were yearly awarded by public letting; at time
he was superintendent of Repairs and Supplies, and
IN the habit Of inspecting all the lumber iurnished
when inferior lumber furnished 1t sent back
and required TO be replaced by good
William h. Demarcst, lumber Inspector then tcsti-
fed Had examined the lumber used by the Dock De-
parimept in the construction Of piers at the HobOken
ferry Charles street, Canal street and others; the
piers we're then nearly compcicd the inspection
made nj the suggestion Of Mr Jackson Second Auditor
OF the Finance Department. much OF the lumber used
sappy the yellow pine being Of an inferior quality;
OF the lumber in the piers was even rotten; hs
inspection was made before Mr. Wales Comms-
slonor The yellow pine being used OF better
quality than tho ordinary pine which was formerly put
the piers great should be taken that should
be free from sap The witness Judged that OF the piers
that he examined there twentyfy 10 thirty por
cent OF ssecondsD or inferior lumber.
Thomas Pickering testified that he was broker at
present; for years Superintendent Of Floating
Property In the Dock Department; his position was
abolished last June the score Of economy, although
the salary Of the Commissioners had been increased;
hs pay 81 500 year, but since his retirement
threo men had been employed IN doing the same work
at 81 900 each per annum the witness aftcrward adj
n6e2 hat one Of these took the Daca Of clark which