New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-07-28
NATIONAL CAPITAL TOPICS.

MIR. WHITNEY ON THE ROACH ASSIGNMENT.
THE SECRETARY PROPOSES A CONFERENCE AND
SETTLEMENT UroN A FAIR BUSINESS BASIS.
WASHINGTON, July 27.-Secretary Whitney
has sent tho following letter 20 Mr. George W. Qah'au
aud the other gentlemen to whom Mt jonh koch n"'c
All assignment: AT our interview In New-forx o"
"Wednesday last you requested TO take into consider
alton the condition each Of the contracts Letweeh 'e
Government and Mr.. John Roach pending and III COM
plete and in view OF his assignment make some sugses
ton IA to the method Of dealing With the whole SUBJECT
gave you assurano that would do 80 and commune
cate after reaching Washington AS view thc matter
the ruls which governs individuals these business
transactions should govern the action OF the Depart
ment At all events IL there Is different rule proper 10
he oppied am not aware of II. My duty heretofore
has seemed to very simple and plain Ii has been To
insist upon the strict enforcement OF contfac ooga
tons. interpreted to without regard To co-se-
quences. That the ordinary. plain business method
departure from which in q public officer can have no
Justification; and III like manner know OF no reason
why the ordinary principle which actuates nH~ehanls IN
dealing with each other and in accordance with when
generous consideration II extended ordinarily to an I'M
business associate should not govern the acton
OF the Department under similar circumstances Inc
business Of dealing NTH the matter which woud
be pursued By private parties would be. rs to becom"
satisfied the assignment was In good fat ana thch
consider the best method from business standpoint OF
bringing about settlement OF current and incomplete
upon fair and just basis for both partesi
If have the power therefore. viii enter INTO tue
consideration you Of the point to which the ron
tracts cen performed and cndeayor TO settle SION
some Iu.t and the DISPOSAL of ths matters
of this | informed you at our meeting IN Ncw-f"rk
This course inst and right under all circumstances Is
conpusory upon the Government IN the present case
The very liberal treatment which the contractor has
received has left tue Government without
sufficient margin OF moneys reserved 10 enable IL Ia pro-
cc Itself in tue Present situation Ihe coutTact PRO
yided that zen should I've retained from the bills
a. tnoy came due and held security for the completion
~ the work At the present tnc those reservations
would have nonntei "a S2lO7lO. They have bfen
surrendered the contractor under circumstances NJ"
import ant to consider now. with the exception OF
Ss667O. In addition 10 this small sum o. sou IN our
hands there are unpaid bills Zoe extras claimed on the
ships amounting TO s2G6s' %. and in dispute on the
polpbiu s29.gl5 O- altogether NnOsily IN dlspn'el
Ss33ui o. As AGAINST this. four ships arc In your
bands upon which S2.OOo.OOD have been paid.
which must completed to he valuable. liable 10 g cater
deoriors By neglect than all tho moneys unpaid and
n dispute would repay II II of the utmost consequence
the Government II tsfo yourselves, That Just
settlement OF transactions shond he had ana new
departure made suggest practical method or ar
irving NJ solution Of the matter. meeting or your.
selves and your with the Attorney General and
myself. which practical method OF dealing Win
the subject be arrived nj which shall bv within my
legal authority.