New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-06-23
BAD WORK IN FIFTH-AVE.
SEVERE REPORT ON THE NEW PAVEMENT.
1T SAYS THE TERMS OF THE CONTRACT HAVE BEEN
ytor NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. CONDFMNED

IT SAYS THE TERMS OF THE CONTRACT HAVE BEEN
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. CONDEMNED.
Mayor Grace yesterday sent to Controller
locw long municaton from the Commissioners Of
Accounts embodying nvestieation made by Engineer
George Bach as to the manner In which the work OF
repavine Fifth-ave. from Washington Square to
Ninetiehs ia being done by the contractor. Matthew
Baird. The Mayor, In note TO the Controller reminds
him Of the understanding between tfem relative to til"
work when 1t awarded the cOntrac. p.ice being low,
and subsequently when the work had besn begun. The
Mayor adds that the matter Is before the Controller
on voucher for payment OF the first instalment
under the contracts. certified by the Commissioner OF
Public Works The Mayor asks that the Controller give
the report careful consideration The main points OF
Engineer Bachs report arc as follows:
Tho contract awarded TO Matthew Baird as the
lowest bidder to repave Fifth-ave. from Washington
Square TO Ninetichst, except the four blocks from
Thirty second TO Thirty seventh sts. which we're re-
paved about year Under the specifications the
pavement was to be laid in the best manner and the
materials TO be granite blocks and concrete Inc
price S429559 80. aud the contractor was
ALLOW 500 days in which TO perform the work from the
date OF beginning An engineer aid two inspectors
appointed that the work done according
to the specifications. J. Mcintyre Smith was appointed
surveyor the work and Christopher Harican ana
Thomas Abbott Inspectors This was in response 10
request made by Commissioner Squire to the Corporation
engineer and inspectors Mr. Lacombc replied tnat inc
Commissioner OF Public Works responsible for the
proper execution OF the work and the public expected
that its interests would be cared for. He therefore
Possessed tue power appoint persons to sec that THO
specifications of the contract were complied with.
The prosrcss OF the work noted from time to time I'd
the report OF Engineer Bach Beginning with the hrSt
block that from Thirty seventh to Thirty eighth ST.
there indication that the roadhcd had been rolled OF
ranm.d Specimens OF the stones and and SAND
preserved by Engineer Balth and compared with
the materials called for by tho specifications WHICH
accompany the report Tho material ased thus far mas
been almost uniformy bad The work OF preparing tho
roadied for the granite blocks dope without tho
use graz stakcs The surfscng was done by the eye
only The provision for rolling and ramiung the
surface the roadOcd until 1t became compscted was
observed The concrete was spread on soft ana even
muddy ground. On Monday, May II. Engineer Balch
fun at point seventy five feet north of the north Hue
OF Thirty eighth st. and May % 200 square feet III
No. AS Fifthave, that the concrete was la
these places soft clayey ground with spongy and
cannot br led ont where the foundation OF mo pave
ment is laid soft hottom The opinion OF General
Gilmore is quoted to show that good, even ana
durable surface OF concrete cannot be had where tne
foundation is bad. A bad foundation makes Dhd ave
meu test is provided for In the specihoa-
uon. There Is no proof that he cement has been Ies,ea
The best quality OF sand is called for Tie sand nsei was
screened No shrp clear sand las yet been used on
the work - $500, A., !,
Between Thirty seventh and Fortieth SITS. there Is
much bad stone F,thavc. from Fifty ninth to
Nnctie originally pavei with felioTd pave
ment This is bel, 10 the contractor Most OF TINS
il rotten. over 20 per cent should be rejected or
making concrete. None OF the broken stone is up 10 the
standard II the inspectors Lad done tlelf
this would have been rejected The concrete
thus far uade has not been half mixed. " 10 the
present time not srele RUE for making CONCRETE as
provided In the specifications has been observed
The concrete was not ranlmcd and there were no
ranmers Considering the poor quality 0 the concrete
the quantity should have been Increased rather thhil
diminished In substituting inferior material Tor
the sand OF the most essential pONlslOns ol the
specifications has been deliberately violated.
The PAWN blocks have been irregularly fractured
or twenty blocks aslred fifteen were not up 10
standard. Either the blocks now piled on tne
avenue have not been Inspected or II they nave the
officers charged with the duty Of inspecting them nave
grossly neglected their duty sixty eight per cent OF the
blocks are below the standard. The engineer mas
already received 81 .OO5 50 and the inspectors Sl'o
The engineers and inspectors have trossly violated her
trus', aud are liable to tie penalties prescribed III
Section 81 OF the Consolidation Act. Engineer l}aich
accompanies his report with tables giving with exacthcss
the dat, obtained by HIM. In conclusion lie says:
hen the whole truth concerning this scandaous JoD
comes known IT Will be found that more ercr-
ate nag and unDlusning disregard OF voluntary
IropOS supplemented AMI enforced by all the formal
tiles oc,l contract does not disgrace the history
of the Department OF Puzzle Works. He recommends
that payment to the contractor. Matthew Bhri DC
Withheld until the matter has heen fully investigated
The Controller had not time To examine Inc rel ON
Yesterday He took II with BIN wi Oh be wcnt 10 MS
country horne yesterday afternoon, with the intention of
examining IL before coming Into town this morning