New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-02-05
TIE HARLEM BRIDGE CONTRACT

A REPORT THAT THIS COMMISSIONERS WOULD
ANNUL IT--TH Y REFUSE TO BE SEEN.
1t was reported in the City Hall yesterday
that the Commissioners OF the Harlem Bridge had
decided ut their meeting in the afternoon to annu their
with the Union Bridge Company for tho CON
scton of bridge for 81 100000, in view OF the state
meuts of Corporation Counsel Lacombe that its legality
ia a subect of grave doubt The commissioners had
interview with the Corporation Counsel on "Wednesday,
but said tina: as the conversation was uno-
cal he did not liberty repeat IT, The report that
the commits went away convinced that they hHd
made mistake received wide circulation II Il re-
ported that the Corporation Counsel explained to the
commissioners fully why he thought that the courts
would be likely hold that the contract which they had
made did within the meaning OF the act as inc
Legislature passed it, and that he strongly advised then
both aud tie grounds o. economy ana
expedlency reconstruct their arrangements Later IN
the afternoon the report took the shape Of Staiemena
that the commissioners preparing letter TO the
public to be given through the which will eS-
plain what their reasons were for making the
contract with which much fault is found and why III
view present phase Of the question they nave
resolved TO change their plans.
The commissioners met in thercxtensve rooms in the
new Cotton Exchange Building In the afternoon one
of these rooms is occupied by tie chief engineer Mr.
McApne long room is used for the draugh.smen and
a smaller one the secretary, Mr. Niven In fourth
the hold their secret and mysterious srs-
high stool and bites apenhoder, while the other
sits In u low ana cracks his thlmbS Ihey occa-
slonay copy letters on Typewriter AMI run errdnds
They both All Ibie and polite young men, Ihe clerA
who sits In the chair Is young MIN named Patterson
When o TRIBUNE reporter visited the rooms yesterday
he by Mr.. Patterson who Gravcly doubted II
commissioners could be disturbed. Finally nc agreed
send in the reporters card upon whch was
written the request that one OF the conilis
soners would kindly sec him when convenient.
Patterson brought bark the cautious message that
the commissioners would Ike TO know what the re-
porter wanted before they could consent TO he seen.
The reporter wrote ont Of ttOns ask n the
commissioners 10 inform the punlc II lhey hdd an
nuiled contemplated the annuuent OF the contract
in either or those events. what other
kind OF contract they had In vie"
how would their present plans affect the cost
OF the bridge when they going To begin work ana
what o ther information concerning Their pubic duties
wo they furnish. These questions we-c accompanied
with the prom faithful aud exact report aud were
couchra IN the most resp tctful Terms.
Mr. Patterson took the questions ana was lost for
walls Of which beautifully ornanchtcd with draw
nCs OF the bridge and pictures OF the estates Is cH
pccted 10 raise the va Ne Of He soon came out.
Present the door opened on crack aui voice called
M Patterson 80 Mr.. Patterson responded aud SIP
paper handed him He read 10. ana held IT Re"
moments in his hand. evidently debating whether 90
not A. would breach OF cont lencc u shO" IL 10 me
reporter Finally he handed II over IL was an Order
Nj Patterson inform tho reporter that the com
mIssOners declined u be Interviewed