New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-16
FAITHLEss BUREAU OFFICERS.

FAITHLESS BUREAU OFFICERS.
HOW THEY BETRAY THE INTERESTS OF THE CITY
IN ORDER To HELP Mr.. THoMPsoN's FAvoRrTEs.
The system followed in the Public Works Depart
ment, of dividing a single piece of work into $9S9
orders to avoid the statute in regard to con-
tracts was well illustrated in yesterdays TRIBUNE
in the case of repairing a sewer. This system
affords an opportunity for Mr. Thompson's political
and personal friends to make large gains at the ex-
pense of the city. But the system is followed in
such way as to allow Mr. Thompsons subordinates
to give out work and purchase supplies in the same
way for the benefit of their associates This is done
by bureau officers, men who are district and ward
political bosses under Mr. Thompson
An instance of this scandalous method OF doing
business may be given In the purchase of EARTH sand
gravel and stone for the streets and the aque
duct. In twelve months $24,905 was paid on
orders for this material to two men. The orders
were nearly all given by James ]. Mooney, Superin-
tendent of Streets under Mr.. Thompson, and WELL
known politician. Of the $24,905 paid ont in
twelve months to two men on these orders, $7,475
was paid to John Barry, who keeps road house"
or hotel near Mr.. MONEYS house, and $17, ,430 was
paid to William Mcdonald, who lives in the same
part of the city, and who also transacted Mr.. Barrys
business for him.
PUTTING GOOD THING IN MR.. BARRY's WAY.
The Senate Committee which undertook TO inves-
tigate the Public Works Department began an in
quiry into this subject, and developed some ugly
facts which, however were never given to the pub
lie. Mr.. Barry supplied sand, gravel and broken
stone on 5000 orders given him by Mr.. Mooney.
Barry testified that Thompson and Mooney often
visited his hotel and that Mooney suggested that he
furnish the city with sand and gravel He said that
he had supply of these materials, that he did not
keep any stock on hand but when Mr.. Mooney gave
uyin haI
material and bought it and filed the order. He
said that he paid as low as Is cents cubc yard,
but he charged the city 80 cents. When asked
where he bought the material, he said that he
bought it of" KenneY Phelan. Maoney and Farrell"
BARRY's REMARKABLE BUSINESS METHODS.
The following questions and answers taken from
the stenogapher's notes of the suppressed testi-
mony, will give an idea of the character of these
transactions:
Question-wl you give me the address OF Mr.. Kenneyi
Answer by Ralry-I eant tell you In the neighborbOod
of slxthave. and observation-disclosures ty-sixth-st,
9-WheEe do you buy gravel or - sand Of n%
the street, or where his business calls him.
Q.-Where is Mr. Pheans placei Ale had one on
One Hundred and ITentyhst c on Ni1InEf sHk I,
the neighborhood Of One Hundred and Nntlst. think
,.Q-what is his businessi A contractor or cellar
Q-Do you keep account of your transactions with
Dan you tell me within several thousand dollars Of
how much you purchased OF either of them Al have
O Ibid You pay those parties by check by bsli A
In bills, sir.
6-And you thought it convenient to pay people bills
instead Of giving your check fer then Iheml A-ies sir
Own you produce iti Al am advised not 10.
Counsel employed by Hubert o. Thompson was coach
.91Please look at your book and tell OJ1s me
Al decline to answer, by advice Of counsel.
Q.-Do you keep any pay rollsi Al do not SIR
employ William Mcdonald to deliver,
Q.-Please describe the in which you received
OF Public WOrksi A-Thc orders appeared the oifce
at 125th-st., and was directed TO furnish them
Q.-What ofilcei A-The Office OF superintendent OK
Qwas it sent by the superintendent Of Roads to you
Q.~That is Nj. Mooney Ayes; Colonel James J.
Odd lie bring the order to you himself send
senger. Ale came in person lie did not give me any
many loads Of gravel or sand as the case might be-
Mr.. BARRY's PREFERENCE FOR BILLS.
OIL show you eleven warrants and ask you II those
eleven warrants given you In payment Of the bills
for gravel, sand, filling and sonei A-Yes sir should
think they
Q-During the time you were in receipt Of those
rants you kept bank account, did you noti AYes sir
Q-None of those warrants were deposited by You to
your credit in any bank accounti A.-No, sir
Q-They all cashed by you upon their receipt A.
Yes, sir.
over $1,000 represent stone supplied by you TO the De-
parent. Where did you get the stone supplied by youf
Q-I want you to tell where you bought 1t.
AT point and in fact all through the examination OF
Thompson objected questions and insisted that tho
witness need not answer them But he was cquiredto
Mr.. Barry-I bought the stone on orchardst.
Q-Of whom did you buy ti
"A man by the name Of Whalon.
Q.-Has he stone yard or quarry therei A-orchari.
Whalon, suppose, bought IT,
Q.-whaon bought it of the eontractorf Al suppose
,Q.-was it a strectORoning there' Att was-yes,
QAnd in the process oopening the street you bought
the stone which was turucd out In the openngi Afhe
stone from the opening, but 1t was long whilo
after that wanted them
stone which was delryeredI A-No, sir; Ibid not.
Q.-Mr. Mcdonald delivered all the sand, gravel, stone
Q.-I find warrant No 2i,73O dated November I2,
1881 for 5000 ndorsed by you to the order OF W. Me-
portion Of his cartng bill.
Q.-Then his carting amounted to more than thati A.
Q-Now with reference to the bills delivered by you be-
tween the 9th OF March. 1881 and December o, of tho
same year. Please tell me who first spoke 10 about
making offer TO the Department to deliver this mate
Q.-Next who spoke TO you about itf A.-Mr. Mooney.
QIAnd Mr. Mooney suggested that you should do
what A-Make bid for the purpose Of furnishing
QMake offer tho Department to deliver at Ger.
Q--ADd the offer you made therefore acceptedi
Ayes, sir.
Q.-And you therefore employed Mr. Mcdonald 10 de-
liver this material 10 the department upon those orderss
A-Yes SIR this material was delivered in piles and
from piles it was delivered by Mcdonald from measure
ment.
Q-And AL you know 10 the quantity delivered wss
the certificate being given by the department TO tho
quantity which they said was delivered isn't that 80
That Is all you knew about tho quantity deliyeredt
A.-The parties who sold and the department.
Q-Mr Mooney was tho gentleman who certified to the
Se Of s .y sn sTsSSs s1a s % & We.
ceeds . A-No STR
Q-Do you know whether or not Mr.. Mcdonald Is say
relative OF Mr.. Mooney'st Al do not, sir.
THE AMOUNTS WHICH MR. BARRY RECEIVED.