New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-10
ENOUGH FRAUD EXPOSED.
DOCK INVESTIGATORS CALL A HALT.

TINE FOR THE MAYOR TO AcT-wlLL THE Ia
POSED COMMISSIONERS REsIGNf
m. lac, r,n,c session OF the Dock Department
,nvas,,c,.or nv the Commissioners Of Accounts. at
,e.st for the present occurred yesterday TWO Wit
nesses Controller Theodore W. Myers ana ksnoolph
GARDENER inspector OF dumping gave testimony aioer
which Corporation Counsel Clark addressed the Oo-
mssIoners saying that in his opinion the time haa
rr,ved when Il was proper to suspend the nvestiga-
tim temporarily at least, and report TO the Mayor
what had been discovered as TO the present condition
NJ the Dock Department Commissioners llolahan
and Barker after short consultation, announced that
they concurred in the suggestion OF the corporation
Counsel and would adopt II, and that the public hear
ing would be discontinued until further notice.
typewrltten copy OF the testimony taken, and pre-
pared by official stenogaphers. was therefore sent
10 MAYOR Grant with the following letter;
We have arrived at stage in our Investigation mo
the affairs OF the Department Of Docks where we feel that
should delay longer in calling your attention 70 inc
inefeioncy and maladinistaton shown by the test
snony that taken under OATH and which We sup
plt herewith for your consideration
MAURICE F. H0LAHAN.
EDWARD p. BARKER.
Commissioners Of Accounts
Nm receiving this letter and the testimony, the
Mayor sad that 1t seemed to be a matter which de-
manded his immediate attention, yet he could not DC
expected 10 take action of any kind until he hau SUI
fcent time TO read the evidence suDmi'teu anu y,
weigh IL carefully. He declined to Indicate "haV Ms
plan OF operation would be, but there Is senei"i
expectation which appears to be well iounueu' 'na,
the nroyed bad condition OF the Dock Department anu
General unftness of the Commissioners properly 10
administer II must lead the adoption by the Mayor
nj the most summary which the la" pro'uos
for a reorganization Of the DOCK boaru' o00"o"
los Of the nsolidation Act provides that;
rhs heads Of all departments may be removed
nv the Mayor for cause and after opportunity 70 DC
hs.d subect however before such removal snail taNe
effect to the approval Of the Governor eNpresSeu An
writing The Mayor shall in all cases oonnu'n'"Vo
the Governor in writing his reasons iof such iVi
Whenever a removal is effected the Mayor sh"'i ~
demand OF tie officer removed make in writing puohc
statement Of the reasons therefor ,u.
The purpose of the Corporation Counsel IN caliins
Controller Myers yesterday was TO ascertain "h''
check existed in his office for preventing the payment
NJ illegal or fraudulent vouchers which might ooino
from the Dock Department In answer 10 quesuons
AIR Myers said that no aware OF the agreement
existing between the Dock Department ana inc Onion
Dredging Company for crib work at II per cupic !d'u
and 20 cents per cubic yard for mud ureuslns' anu
he admitted that he wholly dependent upon INC
certificates sent in by the Dock Commissioners as 10
the quantity of dredging done, and was accuS toeu 10
nav The Union Dredging Company upon sucn cri,
iicates The Controller testhed also that III Pes
for the Dock Department supplies the eS n,
order5 was regarded sufficient, Wl.hout my oOn
current authorization of the DOCK CoInhss e tbe
Yrovded the charges supplies were not above th
market pmc, Mr. Myers said that the Plee oi
cement often varied much as 20 cents OH tno o'o'
In day. ,,ou so;d re.
= Both Commissioners Holahan and Barker sald yes
ter1ay that there was no intention On rneor we'll sal
abandoning the investigation. and they "ere wei
ised that speedy change in the composition oi uo
Dock Board would immensely aid them n DIh H.r
light other dark matters relating 10 the DOCK Depart
ment. 49,, NJ Na,tbews
of the Dock Department. will refuse 10 oner tnelr
designations Mr.. Matthews said YESTERDAY 90 10,
as i am concerned personally, am not IN inc haoh
of retTeatng under fire. If the Commissioners OF a.
counts consider that they have grounds to make spec
charges for our removal II will then be time FOR us 10
appear and reply 10 those charges. In such cas- We
shall be represented by counsel and one slde OF te
condition OF dock affairs will not be brought out az the
eypense of another have nothing 10 complain or
personally from this examination but ! WISH me
nubc would not pass its verdict until the Depal tmeht
has as fully presented its side of the case as me
Commissioners Of Accounts have presented tne siue
which they have made appear so unfavoraDIe"