New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-09
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE EVIL.

COMMISSIONER D1sBECKER EXPLAINS THE POSITION
OF THE POLICE BOARD AND DECLARES THAT
THEY ARE NOT To DLaME-HIs ATTITUDE TOWARD
THE ALDERMANIC COMMITTEE OF INvEsTIGA-
TION--sTATEMENTS OF WITNESSES.
A TRIBUNE reporter obtained from Commits
soner Dsbeckcr yesterday his statement in regard to
the connection of the Police Commissioners with
the filing Of Harlem Flats, and the causes
which have led to the investigation under the resou-
lions of Alderman Shandley. Mr. Disbecker said
responsible individually for the sending
Of an ounce dirt to Harlem. The attempt which had
been made fasten the responsibility upon him was
made through personal and malicious motives. The
Board Of Police Commissioners have nothing to do with
the filing any lots except that the pOwcrs given them
with the approval of the Board of Health, to the
materials gathered in the cleaning of the streets and
properly disinfected. to t low and sunken ots The
problem in STRENGTHENING is not found in gathering up
the dirt but dspOsng Of it after 1t is loaded on the
scows 1t be taken out to for the tugs and
boats belonging to the Department cannot
20 beyond the harbor without being swamped,
and their loads cannot be dumped in the harbOr The
Board of Police Commissioners advertised for proposals
to take the refuse off their hands, and no offer was made
that would be advantageous to the city, The ng In OF
Harlem Flats has been going ON for several years. and
the contract with McQuade for unloading the scows was
made by the Board of Commissioners whose term OF
Office expired May 7, 1874. The present Board
simply continued that contract for time.
In the Winter when the rivers were full OF Ice the diff
Guilty in getting rid OF the streecleanngs was greater
than at any other time. BY consent OF the Board OF
Health the scows were unloaded at the loot OF
Christopherst or at Hobohsn Ferry rc, frope Ia
to the city, and no complaint is heard from 1t.
At the same time that portion OF 1ae sTeg1G Isang
with such advantage to the land that those IN charge OF
Mills contract to unload the city scows at the foot of
ncty.sixtl-st, about which the trouble has now now
arisen, was made in this way: Ambrose ana
Mills presented written proposal TO the Police
Commissioners TO take the ashes and sweepngs from the
Sropesition was placed before the COMMISSIONERS and
they unanimously agreed to let these. men 90 inns during
the pleasure of the Board until more advantageous
o c1 should De Obtained The Board OF Police Commits
sioners then authorized s President ana Homlss9hef
Health regarding the steps to be taken to make
this material gathered IRON sG ~ mSros and
Mills were present at the meeting and the conclusion
might be used for filling the low and sInkcn lots on Har
lem Flats. permit to TINS erect was gwen M aha an
The Police Commissioners not responsible
for the disposition nao OF the dirt after IL leaves me
eample to the resolutions adopted BY the Board Of
Health yesterday "is due to the fact that the
consderabe areas have not covered at all
and arc consequently occupied by large pools OF stsnn
wafer into one of which sewer einptes It's cOnents
+. and no effective system OF drainage has
been adopted in this district to take the place OF ,c
old water-cOurses, which have been completely de
stroyed" Sewers do not come within the limit OF Work
assigned to the Board Of Police C4nnssoners nor Is ~
nmissoncr Dsbeckers remarks in regard to the in
vcsgation now in progress concerning MIN were rs
follows: ,- A.. ..,o..oro.s ., A,lor
man Shaudley against and the resolution asking Tue
Mvor 70 remove me of said grievances are in
t,nd .s a persOpa insult and prompted by partisan
mntivcs / appeared before the Committee on streets
yesterday out Difference 20 the legislative Drahc Oh
The CITY Government. Ny counsel, who aec0npanct
20 yery rropcrly objected the consideration ny tlat
1,n,ntee OF matter foreign 10 the terms OF he
insulting preamble ana resoIui1h.
Spond the Committee Streets wish 10 investigate Tue
Street CIcaung Bureau under another resolution lssCu
az The same meeting the Board OF Police VIII 10 douDt
afford them every facility ana NC properly cpiceceu W
connsel of the Board OF Police. - 49,
Thom,s w Tnornc InspecO OF the Street Cleaning De-
nartmeui In an interview said that the number OF scow
loads of streetsweepings landed on Blackwcls Island
was about 200 and at OD0kcn Ferry ZoV UT oVV, each
scow carrying about zoo carlICads. .
Thomas r. Agnew one OF tie witnesses called ny
the Committee Investigating the charges made against
states that the ngn Of the hate Is loss 10 hinseil
and Ia the whole ne!gbborhood He has property on
0nr.hundred- andh NTH and Onc-hundicd ndsxth.sts;
which cost him 500 600 and previous 70 the deposit Vi
The CITY Nth on the ncghborng lots. paid good rent
Nav the rents received are less tha 20 per cent Vi VII"
thev were when the atmosphere was pure his
case was only d one Town ., "T rather than endure
~ a,scomfort OF riding past the hlled lois ahu
riSt their health by being compelled 10 brratne ue
posons which the fcI1nehtlhg gaIuase maS ",
90 I'D disease would DC Tie result OF such an accuinn,'
n nf NTH Whoever is Responsible shoua We pu'snru '
% ,n.Je IN nav AL least for share OF te uaase uoo.
Nothing in Mr. Agncws opnion - ~ VI Which had
hIuei s,aaf NJ mo account by falling TO take the es
onv NJ The witnesses whom II had called since III q"e
tious Concerning its legality could nave pce" se'eeu y"
rn" Hew J. w shackeiiord, who lives az NO. ~ FAST
,htys.candst was another VI the witnesses PIesent
before tie Committee VI Investigator VIM nSu Nv w