New-York tribune., 1876-01-29
BROOKLYN PUBLIC WORKS.

COMMISSIONERS FOWLER AND ADAMS PROTEST
AGAINST SECRET SESSIONS OF TIE ALDERNANlC
INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE - TESTIMONY OF
PURvEYOR RHODES CONCERNING POLITICAL pa
voRTisA IN THE DEPARTMENT..
The relations between Gen. SlOcum, Presi-
Gent OF the Brooklyn Board OF Public Works, and Com
mssloners Fowler and Adams have been cordial at
any time and have become much emhttered The
occasion OF the unfriendly feeling the action
OF the Aldermanie Committee appointed 70 eI-
amino into the accounts OF the city govern
ment, which held three hoITs' session on Thurs
day with closed doors, and then retired TO inc
Mayors office, where a meeting four hours longtook
place with Gen. SiOcum = witness. Commissioners
Fowler and Adams yesterday sent to the Committee OF
which A. g. ROwley is Chairman sharp communication,
protesting against sessions, and expressing the
opinion that the Committee is 20 be perverted Ion It's
legitimate object 10 the ends OF party intrigue and per
sonal erimlnaton." The Commissioners declare that
they challenge the closest scrutiny into their conduct
They then say;
II however a proceeding instituted ostcnsbly In the
interests the public is to be prostutcd TO the gra
cation of private or political malice We uotod %, % @ d
that any persons nculpated may he conIontu WIN WIN
their accusers The public has right 70 dne an
concerning it's welfare. We have right Ia know by
what influences of threat or persuasion any communica
from the nformers brought before you
The Water Purveyor OF the Department John II.
Rhodes, received notice DtIoIc
Committee. Commissioners Fowler and Adams wrote
upon the the notice request that lie should not
give any evidence before the Committee until IL re-
sponded TO their communication This notice and ndose
rnent were returned 10 the Committee the members OF
wLcn that they had been virtually set at de-
fance and insllted They agreed 10 serve PerempoTy
demand upon Mr.. Rhodes t0 appear and answer me
questions they should ask and lie refused they would
apply to the courts. $780,. , a.,
eussed the question whether the meeting sh0ud be hed
openly or secretly Alderman Ray explained that MS
only reason wishing secret sessions was 10 project
witnesses whose positions would be Jeoaiolled 1l the
announcement that they had given testimony IL WIS
decided finally TO meet in open session, ana WAFER fu
veyor Rhodes VINO had been again summoned. ap-
peared witness. He testified that number oi per-
sons employed by the department who coud very
well be spared Some Of the employees were not a. com
petent as those whom lie select II he employ
Ing them upon private work, but he declared an
insnruounablc obstacle to any change OF method was
polities Economy would result II the political faith OF
employees were not considered. He unable To say
whether all persons performed their duties II subOr-
dnate did choose TO work, and happened 10 be an
aldernanc faVOrte, the witness could how lie
could comp. requirements with the rules. Nj. Rhodes
admitted that he had sent some OF his wOrmeD 10 lay
pipes IN private residences but said that for the time
they had been employed he had paid them out OF hs
own pocket, and taken corresponding sum from the
city pay rolls not 10 charge the city treasury with
the expense.
The Committee adjourned until II a. H. next Tuesday