New-York tribune., 1886-07-07
BLOOD IN MR.. SQUIRE'S EYE
HIS BUSINESS NOT TO DE INTERRUPTED.

SHARP REPLY TO THE DEMAND OF THE CoMMis-
sIONERs OF ACCOUNTS.
Commissioner Squire, of the Department OF
Public Works and Commissioners OF Accounts chesE-
man and Adainson are engaged in stubborn dispute
to the rights and powers Of the latter in their nves
CATION OF MI. Squlres department. The Commissioners
OF Accounts are the representatives Of the Mayor os
tween whom and Mr.. Squire there exists anything out
friendly feeling They virtually board OF inspec-
ton In behalf OF tho Mayor into the methods and ac-
counts OF the city government In all its brancbes since
the war began between Messrs. Grace and Squire the
Commissioners Of Accounts have been Overhsuling the
records OF the department OF Public Works with great
energy For eight months they labored diligently
In An effort to catch Mr. Squire of his guard Last week
they notice to Chief Engineer George W. Birdsal
OF the Croon Aqueduct. and John H. Chambers. the
Water Register. both officials under Mr. Squire, to attend
before them on July 1 at 10 m' ITO
be examined under oath concerning the accounts
ana methods Of the Department OF Public WORKS MT
Brdsa was directed to bring copies OF the payroll Tor
aqucduct engineering services during September Octo
Der. November and December. 1885, and January Feb
ruary. March, April and May. 1856, together with the
certificates OF assistant engineers to what services
the employees had rendered. Mr. Chambers was told
to bring list Of all persons who had rendered any
services for tho Bureau of Water Register from January
to June OF this designating what such persons had
done aud what compensation allowed them The
"sraw" employees are carried the rols-that Is.
fictitious whose unearned salaries are diverted
10 other and concealed purposes. The Mayor thinks
that II all the facts were known there s much material
for him here In his crusade against Squire.
Mr.. Chambers turned his notification over to Mr..
Squire Mr. Brdsal attended the examination, but
without the required papers Whom asked for
them he replied that he had authority
from his superior officer takc Official
documents ont OF tho department Thereupon the com
lnssioners wrote MI sunre desiring him TO direct M
Brdsal 10 produce tho documents their next session
Their letter made Mr. squire angry aud he threw
ye,ery tnat thew evil
IDENTIFY did not know their business and that he was
Obliged to instruct them ia tho law. The law gives yon
no power he wrote. " TO call upon this department. or
any of ts subor mates to prepare statements or a'
any records or documents Ihsy are III my CUSTODY nu
Keeping. and not IN that OF my subordlnates. mr.
squire acKnow edges that the nave power
To make Inquiries and examinations, but he adds de-
sire to Impress upon tnat the authority which tho
command the officers OF this department to wait upon
you. Your duty IL to come here II you are Ell
| aud methods. desire TO add that your
clear duly. it seems to men, In conducting all your
examinations IA tn interfere little circumstances
will permit with the proper attendance and performance
daily devoivo upon them" Mr. squire is also OF the
opinion that In any inquiry the Commissioners or 40
counts should examine papers and records first call
witnesses only to clear what they do not under;
stand IN The regular books aud accounts IL they wi"
consderae to conform further action To
this view OF the law he promises at ali times to afford
| them all facilities for doing their duty.
Mr. Shearman that he Will get at all the lacts
This Is running Investigation" he said. aud wnen
our report appears 1t will be interesting reading" MI
squire "A reporter that he mai more than enough
work for his men u do without having them etornaly
running arouLd 10 the Commissioners ot Accounts ex
amnaliGns They have theif appropriation ana their
clerks" he added. Let them send their own men here
to copy accounts II they want copies Ny men
are not paid do their WORK,
and not going TO be bothered
to have my time and business. or my mems time ana
business nterierrd with this way. IL tney want TO
investg ate. let them for another year just As hey
have been doing for the past year. hut we are not gong
to do it for tnom."
Mayor Grace said that the Commissioners OF Accounts
had acted within tbs provisions OF the law In making
their demand officials OF the Department OF Pub
lie Works and he had authorized them To DO So