New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-11
RAISING A STIFF BREEZE.
PERHAPS THE FOG WILL BE LIFTED NOW.
HOT WORDS IN THE AQUYDUcr ISvEsrrsArroSs
FOLLOWED BY GENERAL DENIAL OF ALL
REsPoNsIBTLITY-MR FAssETr INVITES
EVERYBODY INVOLVED TO CLEAR
HIS CoYscIEScE-TgeTIMoSY

| EVERYBODY INVOLVED TO CLEAR
HIS CoSscIENcE-TEeTIMoSY
or Mr.. DowD.
There was q breeze in the Aqucduct investa>
CATION yesterday 1t happened just after the MEM
bcrs of the committee had returned from luncheon.
| Aqueduct Commissioner Dowd who had been on
the stand during the morning session, had been
recalled. De Lanccy Nicoll was about to resume
his examination OF the witness when Corporation
Counsel BeelOman arose, and by permission
Of the chairman made little speech, saying:
am requested by the Aqueduct Commissioners 70 ask
that the examination OF Mr.. Dowd be com
pleted you will put Chief Engineer Church ths stand
There be foggy atmosphere about this whole
There is msapprehenson on the part OF ths
public the allowance made TO the contractors
contend that there has been extra allowance made
The matter should eucdaed desire myself 70 obtain
thorough knowledge the and for that hops
Mr.. Church will be put on the stand at once 1 mako
this request in the name OF the city,
MR.. FASSETT ANSWERS MIR. BEEKSfAN.
Senator Fassett who had listened to the speech
carefully, replied that the committee would con-
suit with its counsel on the matter and act ac-
cordngly. Then he proceeded to discuss some Of
Mr.. Beekman's assertions follows:
That phrase, foggy atmosphere has been used By
General Newton 1t is strange that he should It. In
view placed the stand and received
the amplest opportunity classify matters So far ~
the public might remind that already four
seyenths Board had opportunity TO explain
everything that they desire The fact is the Commission
ers did great deal to prevent the
committee getting at the facts OF this case. Az all
events the naction OF the committee can con-
for action naction on the part OF any
municipal We alone responsible for the success
OF the investigation 1t not asked for by the Aquedue
Commission. far it has not seemed best TO call ths
Chief Engineer testify We confronted with dini'
cutes at every step the hands Of those thas
know about this case We may accede to tho re-
quest Corporation Counsel but we don't recognize
the force OF It,
Mr. Beelxman hastened to say that he meant no
offence Mr. Boardman declared that reason
why Mr. Church had not been called was because
his counsel had requested it.
Mr.. FISH ASKS FOR NAMES AND GETS THEM
Then Commissioner Fish with angry glitter
in his eyes arose and demanded the names Of the
| Commissioners and contractors referred to by
Senator Fassett as opposing the work Of the com-
mittce.
I'll tell you," replied Mr.. Fassett promptly.
"They are Mr.. O'Brien and Commissioner Ridg-
way. Both were in Albany when the bill appoints
ing this committee was pending and / was n-
formed both worked zcalousy to secure its defeat
and nearly succeeded in their efforts, during my
| sickness
Both Mr.. Ridgway and Mr. OBrien wero
! present Mr.. Ridgway's face flushed as he rose
and asked:
Do you know what you say about me to be
q fact Mr.. Chairman?'
"No, l simply heard it," replied the Senator
"Then, / say it is false
Z" And | denounce it false on behalf OF Mr.
O'Brien,' added Mr. Lovett the contractors coun-
sell Mr. Fassett smiled complacently as he pro-
cecdcd to ask few questions the result OF which
showed that both Rdgway and OBrien assisted
in securing the presentation Of resolutions designed
to defeat the object of the bill
Ey-Judce Spencer protested that he was guilt4
less of any attempt to impede the action Oh tho
committee.
lis there any one else who desires to clear his
conscience?, asked Mr.. Fassett There was
general laugh but no one else came forward ana
the regular proceedings were resumed. Another
stir was created later in the day when Commis@
soner Fish tried to show that there was corr
rupt deal in the organization of the old Aqueducs
Board but failed to do so.
MIR. DowD TELLS WHO "THosE DEVILS" ARE
Only one witness, Commissioner Dowd was eA-
amincd at length. Contractor MCLEAN took the
stand but only for few minutes. Mr.. Dowd De-
ran by explaining why certain of the original con-
tracts were not given to the lowest bidders there's
by entailing an extra expense OF over sloo'ooo
upou the city There were territorial reasons ZOE
this course he said and 1t had been advised by tho
Chief Engineer. The Commission deemed IL pet-
fer for the ctys interests to have all the work dono
/ bv two responsible firms than TO have dozen or
/ more small fry" in the work. clark & " brlen
and Brown Howard * Co. were equally RESPONSE
| ble There was proposition made to give all the
work to one firm, Clark ~ OBrlen nuDert w.
Tbomnson, who was in the old Board. Controller
Loew and Judge Spencer favored this ldea Dut thls
scheme was defeated. The removal OF Engineer
| Craven was taken up and the witness was asAeo
about his letter TO Ellhu Root
o-In that letter you said those devils want Craven
removed Whom did you mean by that termi A.
Maurice b. Flynn and John O'Bren.
Q-was 1t trife dscourteous 70 spsax OF mr.
O'Brien as devll A-"eli' WAS pfess "H'Ai s''Ns
that time (Laughter.)
Q-Cravens removal pleased the contractora oia not
Ayes, very much - .
Mr. Dowd said that he and Judge'Spencer ureea
| Governor Hill to veto the Dill 10 reorgai~e Vno
Commission He added:
know as a fact John o'Brien favored the reor'
ganzaon BILL and one OF It's most nearly
also knew that the combination working ior tns OIL
OF Speaker Hustled Senators Hoysradt and Ham
pton Fish ir on the one side and Governor H Judge
| Muller and John O'Bren the other
NOTHING KNOWN ABOUT HILLS NOTES.
Mr.. Boardman asked if it were not true that
the reason the Democrats supported tho bill was
because John O'Bren wanted to get Com
mission more favorable to him in regard to his
contracts.
Il think that was one reason Mr.. Dowd re-
| plied but desire for places and patronage
was undoubtedly another strong reason
Odd you know when you voted to award the con
,r.c, for Section IL to Clark oBren that there had
been a previous arrangement that the pronts on tns
contract should be used Governor HlPs nossst A.
7 dId not know IL at the time II had should havs
voted In the negative.
The witness did not agree with the state
ments made regarding the expense entalled by tns
substitution Of rubble work for dry packing Ihs
change would not entail an extra expense OF ovel
s36i 900: at least so the Chief Engineer claimed
II the Aqueduct cost sl9,000,OOO instead Of
50 600. 600 he would be greatly surprised
Mr. Mclean then took the stand. and swors
,hst OK Senator Patt never had dollars worth
Of interest in the Aqueduct work They has
contemplated a partnership. but the plan wa'
never carried out
TRYING TO AVOID PUBLIC CRITICISM