New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-11-13
COMMITTEE WORK.
TIE DOCK DEPARTMENT TAKEN UP.
,rs,Dgyr Kocu AND COMMISSIONER MATTHE"'

.s,n.>r KoCa AND COMMISSIONER MATTHEWS
TESTIFY The BOARD OF ASSESSORS
The Gibbs Committee assembled at l p: m o y@sr
terday m the Morton House. There was iaite ger
attendance than usual. Part OF the time al inc
members of tho Board of Assessors we're present,
together with their seccetarr, Inc nrSt nncI
"onn,iSeion The book of estimates was
taken up by Mr.. Slrahan, together WIN YIN
the pay rolls for OcjOher MI hoci d Tire,
the removae of two assistant eng'heoediS auu
dranphtslnen a saving of about $l,ooU IN SaiaI!es
had been effected. twas pointed OUT % o. nfi
ever that III the estimate tWocierks ~ P@,oVoc
rcreaskcd Tor 20 dot the work previously performed
Lv one nj 81 500. HIS explanation was that one
man had not done all the work that the two We're 10
-" Mr. Kochs testimony showed that the secre-
tary who rec lives a salary OF $3,O0O hrst writes
ONT the minutes of the meetings, which occur once
and occasiona ,ly twice week then recording
c,er transcrbes them and then they are entered on
the records by eugross:ng clerk lAe secretary
has four or we to assist hln. Sir. Koch, according
10 his testimony, found II necessary 10 apPuiht d
secretary for himself al salary Of II ,o0O lie was
asked why and replied:
took him for my protection and satisfaction, 70
look over books ana accounts anu Se"0"i'' W 'Nf'
tend affairs.
The question was not asked, but it is stated on
pretty good ant hOrlty that Mr.. Kochs secretary
is the aniter OF the building III DIoau"dS III WIN"
The dockmastcrs formerly numbered eight and
now twelve are to be provided Tor. Inc witness
said inc districts were too large for one man 10
supeTntend. A shaCe of confusion passed over MS
face however, when the fact was pointed OUT that
he salaries OF each had been lncledScu uoul
81 500 10 81 500 Mr. Koch was uhable to eX-
Main with clearness the nature OF the improve
inents going forward under the Dock Department
which such large force is required 10 SUPER.
intend He admitted that the only work at
present being done was the construction or Il shed
on Pier A. and the ordinary dredging Oi the DOCKS
unJer contract. 1900
Commissioner Matthews, the next witness, was
unable TO tell why so many draughtSireh were
continued IN the Office of the chief engineer cx-
cent that he found them there when ne entered OF
flee and understood tlcy were engaged IN MAKING
plans with reference 10 contemplated improve
ments He once asked Engineer Green why 50
MANY were employed and his answer appeared
satisfactory at the time, though he coudnO rccali
lust what 1t was. He sad h, had not
been loug III the office and he thought
he wonld better fimiliarize hhusef with the at-
fairs of the department before proposing any
Changes. Senator CCmStocK wantei 10 know W II ne
really understood the duties OF the place lie IT,
Piled that he did not. i'll q technical sense.
Van Brugh Livingston, of the Board OF Asses
sors, was next called The point was ralseu oy
senator (lhbs that Just before the new board came
in a list of assessments had been advertised BY
their predecessors. Immediately On entering
office the new board readEeItlsed lDe nsli nl't
swearing 10 Its correctness, but Obviously without
any knowledge Oh the subject. The witness
became somewhat tangled IN his replies
Ii appeared from the testimony OF
Edward tilOn a member OF the Board, who was
next sworu that there were number OF changes
made III the aaOunts upoh subsequent cohipIaIhts
aud hearings of persons Interested. Mr. GlIon was
also examined as to the duties of haTbor masters
an Office which he held previous 10 his appolntment
as an appraiser. The committee ADJOURNED 10
C0TroIlcr Giant III his testimony on Wednesday
denied the truth of the statement OF MI. DlKellan
tuat The Iattcr had called hlS attention TO applcd-
lions by persons 1or revenue bonds ana had beeh
tod to refer them to Grant Il Ward \ prominent
citizen told TRIBUNE reporter yesterday OF case
i'll which the chairman of the executive
committee of a we'll known banking institution OF
the city called in person upon the Controller ana
asked hIm for revenue bonds. Inat oineltl' II Is
al eyed Re ferred him to Grant X ward, upon whom
the gent ienan called and procured the bonds