New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-01-22
THE SENATE COMHITTEE.
MR.. THOMPSON on THE STAND.

TESTIMONY REGAEDING EMPLOYEES, CONTACTS
THE WATER SUPPLY AND wATEE METERS.
Commissioner Thompson submitted to the Senate
committee a list of all the persons employed IN the
Department of Public Works on October 81 1883,
with the class of work which each was en-
gagged aud the rate of pay; also n list OF all ap-
preparations and funds which could be drawn upon
for the payment of expenditures. lie explained
that portion of his clerical force had worked on
Sunday in preparing these lists Part OF the m
formation called for by the committee
would require two or three weeks 70
prepare; he would furnish 1t as soon as
possible. The otafiorce employed at that time was
about 900. While Mr.. thompson was explaining
the duties of the various classes OF wOrlmen he saw
Senator Dagg,tt smile Thinking thatthc Senator
was incredulous az TO some of his statements, Mr..
Thompson said, half inquiringy half Indignantly 4:
"Why do you smile? ~ Mr.. Daggctt made haste to
explain that lie had smiled III recognition
of one Of the counsel who had just entered
the room. 4 hearty laugh followed this episode
Mr.. Daggctt said he supposed that the list sub
mttsd included the election force" Mr.. Thomp-
son replied: I'VE have no election iosce. There
may be something of this kind in Brooklyn. We
have nothing of the sort here" The Senator re-
Joined that they had reform government in
BROOKLYN and presumably nothing of the kind was
allowed there.
Mr.. Whitridge. the committees counsel ques-
toned Mr.. Thompson at great lengtl concerning
the letting Of contracts, his powers IN rejecting blds
the character OF some of tie contractors what he
considered an unbalanced bid and whether ho
would feel himself justified in rejecting
such bid The Commissioner explained his
manner of receiving bids and awarding con-
trac 4. He knew of no case in this
CITY where an award had been vacated because of
an unbalanced bid. He had written . letter TO the
Mayor in response to certain allegations which had
appeared in THE TRIBUNE which cleared up
many of the points made in The TRBrNE's ar
ticcs lie furnished each Of the committee with
a pamphlet copy of this letter, and asked him to
read it,
The counsel then took mp the Bronx River addi-
tional water supply, work which has been under
way for the past three years, and questioned Mr..
Thompson concerning the outlay. Mr.. Thompson
said that the estimates were made while Mr. Camp
bell was at the head of the Department. He adj
mittcd that there had been large Increase IN eN-
pendture over he estimates. but said hat this was
due to the increase in the price of Labor and ma
terlals.
had not grown rich from the profits on orders for
work and supplies given them ly Mr. Thompson.
The latter replied that he had heard such allcga-
tioyS hut thcy were false. No one COuld grow rich
on these orders. Further questioning brought out
The fact that coal Tor The DcDari mcut was now
bought by contract instead OF beng obtained on
orders from two dealers named Tracy and
Collins. was the case until recently
was made because he had ascertaincd that these
dealers were charging more than the market
price. 49,
In response To questions from Senators Gibbs and
Lansing Mr.. Thompson said that there We're in use
in this city about 5000 water-mctcrs. There are
10000 Croton water. connections and l23'0oO
houses in the city There are only twenty-five
meters in private dwellings, these. have been
put in rs an experiment. The, law allows
meters 10 be put into manufactures. hotels, livery
stables etc. at the expense of the owners, but IN
private dwellings at the expense Of the Depart
mcnt. Prior 10 1870 charge Of two cents per 100
gallons of CrOtln was made. There was strong pro-
test from hoc-kccpers and others using .argc guam
titles, and Commissioner Campbell reduced the
price Finally il was fixed al ] 10 cents per 900
gallons, and this is the price now charged. The
idea was not 50 much raise a large revenue as to
reduce waste 10 the minimum.
In executive session the committee decided that
the next hearing would be on Saturday at 10 Il. H.