New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-03-04
TIE NATIONAL GUARD NEGLECTED.
OFFICIAL IGNORANCE OF THE LAW.
TIE AEMoR1rs DEPRIVED OF FUEL AND LIGHT
THOSE WHO ARE TO BLAME.

TUE AEMORIFs DERIVED OF FUEL AND lIGHI-
THOSE WHO ARE TO BLAME.
! Commissioner of Public Works Thompson re-
coved Of the close of last month the ordinary number OF
vouchers from his Bureau OF Supplies for number OF
things which the Bureau had obtained for the armOcs Of
the National Guard in This county Mr. Thompson with
the promptness which charactzcs him whenever there
is any demand 20 no made the Controller,
bundled the vouchers up and sent them over TO Mr.
Grant Controller Grant looked over them carefully found
that among them bills for fuel and gas. and with
prompt rapidity which brought surprise and to
Mr. Thompsons heart returned them to the Department
with the information that the Department OF Public
Works had no right power TO furnish the armories with
supplies according to requirements of Chapter 900, Ar
Gle TX and section 62 Of the new Military Code.
The article and section referred to in the Controllers
letter prescrbes that board composed Of the Inspector
General the Chairman OF the Board Of Supervisors and
the County Treasurer should act with power in building
annorfos and supplying Them It then adds: "The
pcnse OF erecting altering repairing. enarging rent
Ing amores, and for providing the necessary camp
stools, apparatus and fixtures for heating and Lighting,
and the fuel and gas, or oil. for the same, shall
be portion Of the county charges Of such county in tho
same manner as the equity charges levied and col
lccted. Ia the county anl city Of New-YOrk said
board shall make rccocn at0ns 70 the Commissioners
Of the Sinking Fund. The Controller IL authorized
and required pay the rcquson Of said board the
amount certified from time to time 10 be due in such
manner he shah direct ard the amount appropriated
shall not be exceeded in mourning expenditures under
this provision"
After Mr.. Thompson read the law the
subject he sent letters to Thomas H. McAvOY
the superintendent Of Repairs and Supplies forbiddlng
him to send any more fuel to the armories to Mr. Nc
Comick, having In his charge the lamps and gas inform
iLG HIM that gas TO bc given the militia
and Corporation Counsel Andrews. asking for his
advice on the matter The direct consequence the
sending Of letters by Mcssrs McAvoy and Mccormick
the regments commanders informing them Of the Com
nissoners instructions Therefore all the warmth and
light that the militia viii enjoy willie in It's armoies WILL
for time at least be provided at the expense OF the
members.
The board which should have appeared before the BOARD
of Esmats and ApportOnm"nt pTlOr the close OF tho
wear is composed OF Inspector General Briggs City
Chamberlain J. Nelson Tappan and the President the
Board OF Aldermen. It through their negligence that
the initials LETT IL 80 unpleasant position. Deputy
Commissioner Of Public Works Hamn said yesterday to
TRIBUNE reporter that TIC action Of the Controller was
much OF bombshell in his Office it was among the
militia The law bad been entirely overlooked. The Cor
poratOn Counses answer to Mr.. ThOmpson's letter
would in all probability he received to-day tomorrow
present the Department responsible for the vouchers
which had been returned but he could not think that the
Coninissl0ner would De held liable FOR what Was so
evidently negligence on the part of the board appointed
under the statute
Controller Grant said that the only way he knew Of 70
relieve the regiments FROM their dilemma was by their
st0nd nave made arrangements before December -,
1898 hut falling to do So their only ITcscn;
10 Niut ullll next iIfeuDef Ills duty simply laid |
ont before him-nO To pay any vouchers that were not
legally presented f. hinand the bills from the Department
OF Public Works did not come through the proper channels
nor were they contracted 10y the proper persons.
The colonies OF The regiments were disposed TO he
Indignant That their necessities should be neglected in
incXcusabls manner They complained that the !
bills for gag and fuel were exceedingly |
large; those for gas averaging $1,000 q year
and for fuel 4ual amount Colonel Clark OF 9TH
Il gimeut found IN the Office Of the Board Of Health
talking Ia Colonel Unbekant Of the 18Th Regiment Col
cac Car. had l- received a letter from Nj. NcAvOy
informing him that the 9Th would hereafter be
Obliged 10 buy its fuel when asked what action his
regiment WOuid probably lake, Colonel Clark said: Il
have thu, far been unable 10 make up my mind about IT,
II h". been surprise 10 me- aud which will not be
ccaY pleasant 20 ihe regiment. II these people DO
care tOc National Guard lei them say We not |
making aur living ont OF the militia. and afford lcL
- 20. have 10 idea what the regiment VIII do in tie
natter
IN ~ tcSltcI corr 9poud nee Colonel Clark vas.
Colonel Josiah Porter. of Che 22a REGIMENT. b2f not
received AN iutlmduUn OF the deprivation Of his command
Of fuel Pud light ~ have moi heard OF the matter" he
piled so the reporters que ton and ! therefore
entirely unurcp'rcd rIt. The l2d, until about seven
hr passage q. Tie law IcQu@ the county 10 pay Tor
tcu the regiment bas been relieved Of serious EXPENSE
hardly think the dWA0rties VIII require rs 10
oacrcjt this burden. Should discover tha this nee
4onre was intentional may take the matter TO the
10 a., It,, Dill, fJr light and warmth 10 rot think that
Hr regiments should be required obtain legislation
on s matter bat it Should DC obtained them, thus
relieving them from any possibility OF further expense
That We should freeze and drill ia the daIs until next
De cnUer j. not 10 boz Thought Off,