The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-02-12

upon in relation to the opinions rendered by Corpora
ton Counsel Whitney and Judge Emot The Board
sought Tor information as to their rights in
letting out the work OF the Street Cleaning
department by contract labor not for the purpose Of
taxing any immediate decisive action II 1t was dc
cared that the law empowered thcm TO employ con-
tract labor but simply 10 have their powers legally
ana clearly defined. Previous to the receipt Of the
opinion It was an open question II the
city could be cleaned by contract, but now
that doubt being removed the Board had accom-
pshed all that primarily desired OF course II on
reflection It was found that the present system was
either cumbersome. imperative or expensive, the
Board would have hesitation substituting some
other means to keep tho streets In cleanly and
healthy condition So lar. Mr. Nichols al
nrmed, nothing definite had been determined
upon regarding what ADVANTAGE they would
take OF tue recent opinion. Indeed he said, seeing
that II was but Saturday that Mr. Whitney and Judge
Emott had been heard from it impossible to take
any action even were the Board In hurry 10 do So
In view OF the fact that President smith was tenn
porary absent from the city and that Commissioner
Erhardt was IN Washington no meeting Of the Board
had taken place within week.
SYSTEM.
Mr. Nichols declared that The present sectional sys
tenn was experiment, and II would be Unfair TO
such snor. trial Tne late severe snow storm had
iutervcned ut the very time that an effort was being
made TO test the plan and to put II into active opera
tion Therefore unusual strain was placed upon
tho forces applied 10 keep the streets In good
condition. Il was, however, pretty clearly iy
good features; for instance, there could be
no doubt whatever that II was calculated to DO tho
necessary work more satisfactorily than the old
system But IL mad one dsadvantage-itw was tar more
expensive Than the system II replaced. II the appro-
priaon were liberal enough the sectional plan would
be found admirable every respect The
Commissioners were not necessarily welded
to any ono particular project II was their
aim and duty to adopt Whenever mode
would be found TO operate best. The object sought
was 10 combine thoroughuess with economy. nut
Whatever system finally found 10 be tbe most
satisfactory thing was certain The Police Depart
ment should have The supervisory power over the
performed 70 transfer this duty 10 any other de-
Partment would De to the INJURY OF the community.
CONTRACT LABOR.
Another matter winch nad 10 be carefully taken
into account, said Mr.. Nichols was the possibility OF
letting out the desired to be done by contract.
The law defined, while 1t permitted the depart
mcut TO introduce contract labor in the employment
OF cleaning the pubic streets or OF retaining
the present system OF days wages, sun
crcumsiribed their powers Contracts couli
not be given Tor longer period
than year 1t now only wanted nine months TO
complete the present year, and the question 10, saa
Mr. NichOis, would any capitalist no matter how en-
terprisng consider 1t TO ms interest 10 assume sucn
responsibility Tor such limited space oil tineY On
the first OF the new year his contract would expire
and tn the work be again open To petition
In the meantime, the man WHO mad secured the
first contract, ii he was under bid the second Time,
would lind an unmarkeable but an expensive supply
vi implements and materials OF peculiar character
ON his hands, for which, OF course, he had originally
paid considerable price. SO 1t appears SAID Mr.
Nichols that this contract system 10 not without
us drawbacks also. However, all these ques-
lions are mere speculations now, Said Mr. Nichols,
and II will be time enough consider them when the
board decided to throw the sectional system over
board This question Is comprehensive Que, eui-
bracIng II does powers and duties OF very COM
pick and difficult nature; and the Board has been I'M
Justly censured for alleged shortcomings III not dong
possibilities. The great trouble has been To ind
depot for the oa without which The hands oil
the department have been frequently tied.
Time and time again, Mr.. Nichols remarked,
have our best efforts been frustrated in our en-
deavors TO procure u suitable dumping ground; and
such place as TINS cannot BIO found within easy &C.
cess OF the city. We have tried every point which
promised we'll Tor our purposes, but we have
been driven oil and have been obliged
to seek remote places where
the garbage and refuse OF the streets could be dumped
without arousing the resentment OF properly owners
infringing on the rights OF the public But Tor all
these vexatious delays We have managed to keep the
streets in toerabiy gooa condition, and hope. under
the present sectional system, to show a marked I'M