New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-09-03
INVESTIGATING MR.. SQUIRE.

TgoMPsoH's FRIENDS UNDER EXAMINATioN-PRO-
TEsrAuoNs or VAST AND UNPALTERING ZEAL.
This Commissioners OF Accounts have now got
fairly under way in their investigation Of the
methods and accounts OF the Department of Pub
lie Works Their instructions are 10 examine II
thoroughly from the time of their last investiga-
tion near the close Of Mayor Grace's first term.
CommIssioner Squire processes To be certain tnat
nothing Will be fOund wrong IN the Department I
yet ne Is not so jauniy as he was. and versheation
N for the time being abandoned. When the inyesti-
cat ION is concluded Mayor Grace will know exactly
the condition of the Department aud what has
been done not only under Mr.. Squire but under his
predecessor Hubert o. thompson.
The Commissioners OF Accounts practically
began work IN the Department on Friday
morning. Deputy Commissioner ID. lowber
Smith was summoned before the Commits
soners Of Accounts and questioned closely
concerning the workings Of the Department. lis
answers were taken down by stenographer. He
was asked as 10 the employees Of the Department,
their number. and then, each being taken up by
name, their duties, pay aud work. Mr.: Smith an
swered oil these questions and declared thnt 10 the
best # his knowledge and belief. all the officials
aud employees performed their work consclentlously,
Those under his immediate superyislcn no could
vouch did fair service He was asked II any one EN-
ployed in the Department did any work for persons
outside the City Government Mr. Smith replied
that they did after office hours but during that
time they gave full days work.
The commissioners then questioned Mr. Smith as
20 the work done by the army of laborers employed
by the Department He replied that he could not
say positively whether the worknen we're on hand
~
men This he could say. however. that he had no
knowledge that any man in the employ Of the De-
partmcnt did not work during the hours for which
he was employed. He believed they did their full
duty by the city. Since Mr. Smith gave his testi-
mOny the Commissioners Of Accounts have ex-
amined Robert X. Reed, clerk In Commissioner
Smiths office; Edward Brady, messenger I
Frederick w. Brown, messenger, Thomas Hola-
han, = messenger Edwin &. Donnell. stenOg-
rapheI and Joseph j. McAvoy the superintendent
Of Repairs and Supplies. Mr. Donnell was
suspected of having done great deal
of work for Hubert. o. Thompson. lie
was questioned closely about this He
said that he did extra work, including writing for
MIR. Thompson but this was outside OF office hours
Frederick w. Brown, who was Mr.. IhOmpson's
confidential messenger In the Department. was
asked whether he was not still in attendance on
him. He swore that he performed no duties for
Mr.. Thompson except during other than office
hours. Edward Brady and Thomas Ilolahan
swOre that they did no work of any kind outside
of the Department. Alexander Brandon who Is
supposed TO DO Maurice Is. FlynD's confidential
messenger was examined as closely as Blown He
was Ger ain that he did his whole duty by the
city The commissioners directed George T. Bah
cock Superintendent of the Bureau of Streets, 10
appear yesterday, but his examination was de-
feTed until to-day.