New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-05-03
DOCK DEPARTMENT FINANCES,
MR.. DIMocKs EXPLANATION.

TESTIMONY BEFORE m ASSEMBLY sUD-CoMMIT-
TEE-How Mr. BURNHAMs EMBEzzIEMENT WAS
DISCOVERED vAEDERPoELs TESTIMONY
CRITICISED.
At the session of the subcommittee OF the As
sembly Committee on Commerce and Navigation
yesterday after some delay. Dock Commissioner
Henry F. Dimock took the stand. Chairman Will
Jams said to him
We wished 10 have your examination put OF until two
not come and II YOU have anything 70 SAY IN reply 10
anv statements that have been made you may do
Mr. DInock-I think that Mr.. Vanderpoe lost his head
or had forgotten these must be the explanation
OF his statements might well narrate right here
the history Of the dealcaton II really existed some
time In the latter part OF 1877 something occurred
don't now remember what that caused me to he sns-
picious OF the bOOkkeepcr, MI. Durham twas merely
little uneasiness told him T. make ont several state
ments not desiring 10 arouse MS suspeiohn re
fessed great Willingness but on one preext or another
he put II on Tor month or 30, Wen ,nJ at he really
wac sick Our books got into bad sta e. made UP
my mind that the books must DE gone ih0 any nt
had taken some OF the books up 10 ms hosh. sen'
messenger up there for them. directed th"m 70 Dc
taken In hand and written mp We then ascertained
that there was a defacaon OF about 5000 went TO
two who had been treaslucrs ana polhifd out 20
should he seen 10 by told these gentle
men that whether they were responsible OF not w9n9
not been dingent enough. felt myself very much
ashamed that such thing should occur tod thetn
that thought would better make u up II seemed 70
me that Mr.. Westeryet and Mr.. NandcIpoel would be
better satisfied They finally aereed to 90 ~ i hS
Burnham indicted From some things that came up IN
.e ne, % No, ne whole ~ in We then directed the chief
clerk back to the beginning 20 see wai me cnd was
desI Of labor fscertained that the dedication
extended back the time when the Dock Department
what Won fonnd on the books That a serious
matter We took the case 10 the Corporation Counsel
The Commissioners Of Accounts examined our bOohs
aud reported this matter thought every one knew H.
SO was surprised when Mr.. Vanderpoel said that his
first knowledge OF II was nom your expert ehahih-
on Of the books. was amazed 70 hear him state that
although charged by law to 90 So ne had mace no et
animation Of our accounts The duty Is ms supposed
that under such responsibility would take
have looked NJ the books Tor my own Satisfaction am
not compelled 10 do H. There was no general under
standing that I should do H. He also soys am very
seldom here II there were any defacaon now. the Law
would hold him responsible.
Mr.. williams-Wh0 was treasurer before him
Mr.. Dim0ck-Mr. Westervelt ana then pr bndo NoM
the accounts themselves. the journal only wnttFn
here with the approval NJ the Commissioners Of Ac-
counts. They saw reason Why IL shoud be done
never occurred to me a. possible that man charged
with sole responsibility Of this would not see mat
was done Circumstances have prevented ne from look
ing after these things myself Our secretary think
has been very remis As to checks on "narhngers tnG
neptect check Mr. Vanderpoel states TINT be has not
Pgrie consntrd non The shedding business II ia
testimony There never has pier sbedded except
nv resolution OF the whole Board and he has never
voted against one Of them He said that was allowed
can be business done by the Board except as Board
There has never been any confusion here. challenge
the srictcst investigation. The Department has been
conducted on business principles.
Chairman Williams intimated that he would again
examine Mr. DimOck hereafter John w. Barrow,
q Commissioner Of Accounts for the city, was then
sworn. The substance of his testimony was as fol
lows
Iexamined the Department Of Docks in November and
December 1879. That the Last time made an cx-
animation I compared the books Of this department
with the report by II 90 the Mayor found $1,000
Of claims against Mr.. Burnham. In 1879 change WIN
made In the system Of bookkeeping by giving ny the
audit book Ny discovery 81 the deiacauon came from
finding entries OF the amounts paid by the commissioners
10 make II up.
Mr. Williams then produced the cash book Of the
Department, and showed Mr. Barrow an entry of
$13.546 30. This sum set down in the " sun
dries column without any explanation. The foot
ings on several subsequent pages had been altered
He asked:
Do you think that was there when you examined the
boOksf .
MT Barrow-If that had been there / think should
have seen H. think Il Is "A false entry. did not make
an exhaustive examination Of the books 81 this Depart
ment. think now that would The books are IN
worse condition than thought.
Nj. Wiliains--When diG you hrst know tidr
Mr. BarrOw-Here, today.
After some further unimpOrtant proceedings, the
committee adjourned until FRIDAY at 1890 n. M
Elliot COwdrey an expert in bookkeeping is cm-
plOyed hy the committee 20 investigate the books of
the Department. and Chairman Williams expects 10
find further evidence of loose work.