New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-13
CHANCES At CITY AFFAIRS.

Little by little, slowly but surely, the people OF
New York are discovering how much they have al
ready been swinded and with what magnincenf
frauds they were threatened by the Aqueduct ring
which Senator Fasses Investigating committee threw
into flight and confusion. That great ring
and few more like n would bring about revou-
ton In New-York 1t would have been more sue
cessful had the prize been smaller. Twenty millions
attracted big flock OF vulturcs and they could not
help but make a great deal of noise Moreover
there happened to DO one or two honest men IN 'h'
way and they utterly stubborn and open TO no SORT
Of Influence. Corporation Counsel Lacombe was one
Of these and by far the most objectionable one 70 th'
ringsters. He was always the alert, and ~ Il
easy figure up at least 90 oooo 900 out Of the slo
O0O 900 already awarded which bis uncompromfsing
honesty saved from the rings clutches
A case in proof OF this came to light on Thurs
day when the Commissioners OF Appraisal in the matter
of the claim Of the New-York and New England
Railroad Company made their report. This companys
road ran through the property which the Aqueduct
Commission desired to utilize for a reservoir In Put
nam County Heman Clark, Of the Aqueduct contract
firm Of 0'Brien Clark, is director OF the road
C. c. Baldwin, formerly Of the Aqueduct Commits
sion, is said be heavy stakeholder In the road
Commissioner Barnes also had at ono time some
sort Of relation to 1t engineer. Under the
original Aqueduct statute, the Commission had no
power to take the property by condemnation. Pri
vate negotiations were entered into with the railroad
company, being conducted by Chief Engineer Church
for the Aoucduct Commission and L. b. Bdwoil FOR
the company, of which he was an employe. Upon
Mr.. Church's report the Commission passed rcsolu
ton appropriatng $4,000 for the company as
proper It for the expense Of changing
its route, and 80, 500 for its counsel, and Mr. La
combe directed TO draw up the papers necessary
for tho carrying out of the transaction.
He didn't draw them up He didn't like the looks
Of things. Possibly II occurred TO him that they
would have had more seemly appearance had
certain people taken less interest In obtaining the
award He sent Henry I. Dykman, real estate
expert whom he employed to advise him about the
value of Aqueduct lands, 10 make report on the
proprlety Of the Commissions award, and Mr. DyA-
man. after careful examination, declared thar
s75 900 or $4,000 at the most would be a large
sum to pay the railroad for the damages II would
sustain. Having satisfied himself by other expert
testimony that Mr. Dybman was right, he sent a
bill TO the Legislature amending the Aqueiuct act 50
as enable the Commission 10 condemn the property
and take 1t upon The report of three Commissioners OF
Appraisal The three commissioners selected were
Robert scwan, Of Ncw-York; Charles Denton Of
Brcwster's, and Philip D. Penny, OF Towncrs. They
have been engaged for a year in taking testimony
Every possible effort has been made to bolster up
Mr. Church's original estimate that the railroad
ought 10 have s112,5O0, and engineers were pro-
duccd VINO svUrc that its actual damages would ex-
coed $4,000. Mr. Dykman represented the city
and he contended warmly for $4,000 at the outside
The commissioners have at last made their report
and Mr. Church unceremoniousy sat upon. The exact
amount of the declared award is 1851 "a. Cor
poration Counsel Lacombe and his expert, Mr.. Dyk
man, are sustained The city has been saved
s37 900.
This IS only one illustrating many others.
Some time ago a piece OF land taken by the |
AQucduct Commission belonging to a life insurance
pany of this CITY, 1t was only sixteen acres in
area and the CONF any demanded $4,000 for It, The
Commission actually agreed to pay IL $1,000 and the
Board OF ApportiOnment Endorsed its action and ap
the money. Mr. LaeOmbe again objected,
declaring the property worth less than half the
which the Commission had consented 10 give for IT,
The matter finally sent TO commissioners OF ap
prasa and they reported IN favor Of paying 81 9oo ~
on the whole. New-York Is well rid OF its late |
Aqueduct Commission. Mr.. Church, however, hangs !
on,