New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-04-02
LEGISLATIVE SCRUTINY.
MR.. GRADY QUESTIONING Mr.. THOMPSON
THE SENATE COMMITTEE on CITIES AND THE DE

MIR. GRADY QUESTIONING Mr.. THOMPSON.
THE SENATE COMMITTEE on CITIES AND THE DE
PARTMENr OF PUBLIC WORKS.
The Senate Committee on Cities continued
Yesterday its investigation Of the Department OF fuoc
Works The examination OF Commissioner thompson
was resumed. When asked II he had exceeded the
amount of the appropriation for 1881 allowed by the
Roard NJ Estimate and Apportionment. he replied:
7 did not The full amount allowed not expended
viii reference to be paid for by assessments N
T'V cannot undertake any work unless author or
lied by ordinance OF TS,s So S po Apply to
sewer work work not exceeding III each c"Se noio
10 Senator Grady-The department purchases the
water and charges them TO the persons III
buildings they are placed me mOnSs Objected for
meters and from other sources Is deppSteu ~ ,are
hank to the credit Of The Cy ann ,hs Smaller coec
lions weekly. ,,.
There was long discussion between Senator McOar-
thy and the counsel and bookkeeper of the department
over au apparent discrepancy with reference to certain
water meter items. Mr. Mccarthy could not see NO"
the could expend for this item $1,000 wheh
only $4,000 appropriated, and stu nave paSnce
of 50 29i on hand. Mr.. McClanahan, the h'au pooh-
keeper was examined al length. He explained inc
tenn Of drawing against the proceeds OF hahKs anu o
appropriaton for water meters. The difference AROSE
En- tho snm of S75 OOO which the department sup
osed il had standing to its credit and lesser amount
nv Ss 600 owing the refusal of the Controller
bonds for this account This discrepancy occurred III
three sums Of each in 1879 and lsSo ana prior
to the incumbency of the present Commissioner
The witness said 81 do not concede that TINS "aS In
any sense. "a fictitious or false entry ,.,,, for
Mr Grady-The amount paid by the dePal , dnd rH
amo,nt received was $30,63 0s. The department ap
parentiy received about 5000 less than PAID ont
Mr. McClanahanThis arose from the tallnre 10 Hiahe
the full collections within the time specihed
Mr. Thompson was recalled and Mr. Grady asked;
az see that here item OF 100000 Tor the com
nj of
building the maTkcti' .,i,, - ,ros
"That is for completing the repairs tmhk ~ was
done in an economical manner ana ny punlc I'' ~,
There portions OF the old building Inc
riIinr and some foundation walls, principally. nope
10 rebuild Jefferson Market aud the BoaIu on
and Apportionment Unanimously erShcud tnI M lis
lature rebuild jefferson and washington Msrkc1s az f
cost of 100000 think that the "OrA can 10 oo 0i
very much less"
ar. Thompson explained at considerable length the
maintenance of the CrOton Aqueduct lie was qucs
Toned as to number OF purchases OF coal ara oIhci
supplies which had not been contracted Tor NO one Oh
these purchases reached the of II OOO he sad anu
he was there fore, acting within The law lie beleVeu
that the purchase of supplies in this manner was pest
calculated TO serve the interests o. the city.
Mr. Grady-Is 1t your Interpretation OF the charter
that by suhdivding the amount Of material le44iIeu
OF gwen time and purchasing al various times OF rom
various persons ia sums less than LOU 'e PIo'9'o'
Mr. Thoap,on-i have made such statement nor do
so interpret the charter fail 70 recall any Jaw 'at
comnels me TO purchase supplies for an entire year
MI Crady-Here are items for cement in one month";
argregatmg So 700, and all purchased rom ore CON
psny. -. ,..,,o.oa ~, ,.,r5 o,,s
reausition- from the engineers OF the Department.
Mr. Mccarthy cited several purchases of coal, the
items ranging from 1851 to 1898. He thought 1t very
cnioue that these amounts should come near $1,000
the amount above which the law declares all purchases
shall be made by contract
Mr. Thompson replied that this showed he had fully
complied with the requirements Of the law lie had ID
several instances tried the experiment Of advertising for
PROPOSALS for the furnishing OF supplies and a. result
he had actually pay to the lowest bidder tnah nc
had previously pad for the same class of goods
Mr.. Grady-How do You explain the painting OF the
new Court Housed 49,, - ,, =.
Mr. Tbonpson-The Controller consulted me aDOnt ",
and said II could be done from an appropriation Al ls
fisDosal IL was done various acquisitions Inc ny
1'hsmberlan wanted his office painted Then, "Hei
This was do, C. the Controller wanted his once painted
and some iher work done. No one OF The Ie4uls
fiOns reached $1,000
The committee then adjourned. Ex'ConmssiOner OF
Accounts Lindsay j. Howe has been employ d by the
o,nit;ee 70 examine the accounts Of the Department
of Public Works and report TO It,