New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-06-26
MANY PHASES OF GRAVEL.
COMMISSIONER WALES ON ITS USE.

Considered GEoLoGrcALLY AND AS TO con-
TRACrs-LAwYgRs THAT HAVE TO SCRATCH 1T.
Park Commissioner Wales sat comfortably
back In bottomed chair an yesterday afternoon In
the Supreme Court Part T. and answered with COM
poslire the questions put him by Lawyer Hawes 70
gsrding the agement OF the Park Department Com
rnissioners veie, Ollfs and Crimmlns were present.
Secretary Barker OF the Board, watched the Comm%
sIoners and Secretary Beers OF the Council OF Reform
sat at the side Of Mr. Halves and furnished fresh supplies
OF questions whenever the original amount fell short
Mr. HAYES took up the 1899 gravel contract question
Mr. Hawes-Does 1t happen that yon never need Slooo
Mr. Waies rennb atically1-y Never more. We buy Il as
we want 1t. We do sometimes store gravel oysx the
winter
Mr.. Bangs then examined Mr. Wales Inc C0mmi>
not studied the Caldwell gravel beds on ths
west side OF the Hudson. He not acquainted with
their geological origin lie did not think that his duties
as Commissioner required him to have this geological IN
formation He had found By experience that the grav
used In the Park before he became Commissioner was un
t use Even screening would not have removed inc
foreign substances which yitiated 1t.
Mr. Bangs-Do you not think that the geological origin
OF gravel has something 70 do with IT'S vaien ., ,o r,
inal intentions OF the Almighty were.
Mr.. Bangs-I do not care to learn those Intentions on
you
Mr. Vale. denied that he had ever Mrs Van Cort
andt or had unduy influenced by her agent to use
gravel from her estate at the Lower Hook He sad tna'
the Caldwell gravel good for nothing he was not
aware that the Caldwell gravel beds were produced by
currents OF water Mr. Wales did not have any nforma-
ton on the nature OF the rock from which this gravel
came.
Mr. Bangs-why did you not screen this gravel az You
now do the Lower Hook gravrli
MI. Waies prompt. THAT'S question cannot enter
Nj Bangs-You say that you never need more than
81 900 worth Of gravel at a timef
Mr.. wales-Yes 1t is cheaper in that way, TO buy
MI Bangs-why Is 1T impracteabie purchase years
supply st one timef 800
Mr.. Wales-smply because there is no competition.
MI Beck the agent refuses TO have anything to DO with
middemen Besides, we cannot tell how much need
annual supply. have consulted the Corporation
COUNSEL ana he agreed With nv view:
gist on the source Of the Van Cortandt grayeli
Mr.. Wales-No understand thai subOrdinates Of the
Department have Jesse Rider an expert in gravel has
given his opinion that the Lower Hook grave Is the only
Mr. Bang,-Ca An you advertise for certain kind Of
gravel. say screened gravel free Of impnritiesi
Mr.. Wales-No II We advertise Tor graYe In teat way
the contractors will bring samples in picxejars
Mr Bangs DO YOU know Of any case OF the kndt
Mr. Wales-No. / have heard of II.
Mr., Bangs-Have any such advertisements for gravel
ever been made by the Department
Mr.. Waes-I have heard so. don't know OF my own
knowledge The Department has been organized for
twenty aid cannot say what was going on before
Mr. Bangs-Have you read the minutes of the Depart
ment regarding gravel previous to your entrance Ito
Office.
Mr. waIes-l good deal
MT Bangs Fcdu report Slgne1 Dy tO'uuu@SVntE ldbo
in 1873 in favor of Lower Hook gravel at II 40 cubic
foot Mr. Wales had heard OF that lie preferred TO
express no opinion of Mr. Lane q judge Of gravel.
Mr. Wales Ito Mr. Bangsl-As member OF the bar.
what is your opinion OF Mr. Lanel
Mt Bangs-As Judge Of gravell
Mr.. ales-Wel, yes
Mr.. Bangs-Nhat has the bar to 90 with gTaysli
Mr.. NalesWell, some awy have 10 scratch gravel
pretty hard 10 make living. This gravel question Is
t0rnenting one wish that you a Commissioner
You would then learn how it is yourself.
Nh. BanCs-Oh, expect to be Commissioner yet.
Mr.. Wales-Pl resign tomorrow, II youH take thS
place.
Mr.. Bangs-I want the presidency, OF course. don't
wish TO be a side-show Commissioner.
After this episode pleasantly the propagation house
was taken up, and then as Mr. Wales thought that he
would like to take a rest, the hearing went until
day at 1890 a. ID.