New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-20
THE PUBLIC WORKS INQUIRY.

| CONTRACTOR DEVLGS's $500, CBRCK-COsT OF RI
PAyISG IN NEw-YORK AND BROoKLYN.
| In the investigation Of the Department of
Public Works by Senate Committee on Cities ycster-
day, W. J. Lyon, auditor OF the Finance Department.
described the manner in which payments arc made on
rolls and vouchers and the checks insure their
correctness The Department OF Finance, he said had
made Of contracts let by tho Department
Public Works az 10 the prices paid This WA done by
Of the Departments own examiners. In tho Of
Richard A. Cunningham the examiner reported that his
charges for work done reasonable
Mr. Whitridgc We will show YOU that you are having
about 800 per cent mere than j. necessary.
Nj IyOn-Our force Of examiners Is very small We
only now and then give outside matters attention.
Mr. Payne offered what be sad WA the certified reeop
by John Randolph assistant clerk OF the Court OF Claims
OF Washington d. c., OF the proceedings court mar
tal which convicted John Deylin the contractor.
era Tracy objected TO the reception OF record on the
grounl that It not legal evidence. what was offered
by Mr. Payne the record of evidence OF suit
brought by Mr.. Devlln againet no United
States to recover claim for a consider amount
After much argument vote taken and the record
was not admitted rs evidence
John Dev,ln was then recalled IIe produced cert ain
checks drawn by him on the Nassau Bank Broohlyl.
One Of these for 800 made payable 20 L. H..
clifford and cashed at the Importers aud Trad
ers' Bank In this city. He explained that he
had had great deal OF trouble in
procuring permits from the Department Of Public Works
in May, 1892, for opening Broadway. When he was
about rece.vng these permits, Deputy Commission
Hamn for him and told him that he would have TO
work with the Steam Heating Company IN Ito eIcava-
tons He declined 10 do so on the ground lint tbs
pneumatic tubes Of the Western Onion COMPANY shout
put the trench with the steam pipes. Soon after
work he nterfersd with by the apartment
Inspector, and good deal annoyed lie wa, told by
connected with the Department Of Public Works
whose lie did know that would be better to
if,t ha n.ra
send check and was told that cash would be better
He wanted TO send check to Commissioner Thompson
and told that II would not be scceved.
lie then said that he had friend in
the Department. Mr.. Clifford and would send a check 10
him. He sent the check shown dated July @. 1892
After that he had more trouble Until he afterrard
withdrew the $500 check.
MrPayne-Isit your Intention to charge that This cbeck
~ gwen ~ hush money as bnbei Al did not give
II bride hush money supposed was 90 70 20
cL IbSi 10 y crcdited ~ IL Cbsmr n Oh me
the Department. Al cannot say.
Tic witness showed an entry IN his memorandum
book of payment OF 500 "For Cif. Fl. o. r." which
he said referred to the check.
dcOrge W. Williams, general inspector Of
street pavements in tho department OF CIV
Works. brooklyn, testified that last year
there Wero 007f and water openings In that city,
cost Of ~ 40 each for reHvDg. The ropayng cost
thought the charge Of Contractor Cunningham of fifteen
per foot for repavng the trench OF the Edison Light
COMPANY a reasonable one.
ID, Lowbcr smith, civil engineer and meter surveyor
of the Department OF Public Works, examined at
great length ~ TO the relative cost
OF repsvinR In This city aud Brooklyn
lie sad there 2Si miles 81 csbbestobo paving and
thirty miles ~ Belgian and block paving In Brooklyn lie
Of the opinion that the charges OF Mr.
for repsyiny wero reasonable
II. II. Clifford recalled, and eIplaped tho check
given by DoVin. lie ssd that II must have been gwen
Tor water rents, IN the DdJroment showed The books
wouk chow that The hooks In the posshsisn OF Mr.