Morning journal and courier., 1892-07-29
NEWS By TELEGRAPH.
From All Quarters.
An ATTACK I lI ON v. WINDOW.
Excessive Expenditures at
Ellis island.
dig CHEMICAL works DESTROYED.
Seven Prisoners Attempt to
1 it" Escape. -.
Dig CHEMICAL works DESTROYED.
new MEN ARRIVING At PIrTsDUDe.
PrOstratiOns by the Heat
i'm New York.
WASTE OF PUBLIC poNKv

WASTE OF PUBLIC MONEY. :
The Report of tho Im-aixration Com.
mfttee-Assissant Secretary Nettle-
ton Censured Tho Building
Fanlty-Unnecesssry Expenditures
Made-The Minority Report Arrives
at Opposite COnclus lo ns-The Build.
ings at Ellis Island Worth More
Than Paid fora Covert Attack On
the Late Secretary Window.
WASHINGTON, July 2s.-The immigra-
ton COMMITTEES which has bsen irivesti-
eating the expenditures for the Ellie Isl
and buildings presented two reports to-
day. The majority report concludes that
there has been . great waste of public
money in the construction of improve
ments on Ellis. Island. The expenditure
by the treasury officials of 100000 upon
buildings for which congress appropriated
$3.50. 900 was without precedent or excuse.
The committee further concludes that As
sistant Secretary Nettleton was guilty of
great waste and extravaganza in the e1-
penditures of the immigration fund in the
improvements of Ellis leland. The report
says he is in great measure responsible for
the faulty construction of the buildings for
the failure to retain 10 per cent. of the
contract prices for the release of the con-
tractors from liability on account of the
main building when the same was not COM
pleted according to contract.
The report declares that Mr. Nettleton
used the head money when there was on
file an opinion of Controller Matthew'S
against its use, and accusing him of such
recklessness in handling public money and
In the management of departmental affairs
as to create grave apprehension. The re-
port further accuses Mr.. Nettleton of ex-
trsvagance in employing an unnecessarily
large force of employees and in expendi-
lures for ferriage, and adds that the ex-
penditore of about $500, 900 per annum at
Ellis Island and 800, 900 at other ports
give rice to the fear that the system
of inspection and landing of
immigrants will not be self
sustaining. The committee recommends
that the secretary of the treasury investi-
gate the subject. Mr.. Nettleton Is also &C.
cused of violating the law in transferring
funds for the Improvement of Ellis Island
in excess of the collections at the port of
New York; with the purchase of an un-
legal expenditure of $1,000 for ferry
slips and the illegal appointment
of DIR. Tonner as medical inspector.
The committee acouits Mr.. Owen of
any responsibility for the improvements
of Ellis Island. 1t accuses Chief Clerk
Dspray of the law and contract division
of the supervision architects Office of at
tempting to confuse and coach Witnesses,
conceal important facts, etc. The minority
report is signed by all the republican
members of the committee. The report
reaches conclusions entirely favorable to
the treasury, and says the experts
estimated the proper cost of the nine
principal buildings constructed accord
ing to specifications at $11, 900 more than
at contract price. Work appears to be
we'll done. The government has received
full value for it's outlay and can suffer no
loss in view of the liability fund retained
The report then proceeds to show the legal
propriety of using portions of the immi-
grant fund or ''head money" for complet-
ing these improvements. -
Mr. Epes also filed q minority report.
He holds that Mr.. Nettleton was not sub
ject to the msjority's criticism In regard to
use of head money. He finds fault with
Superintendent Owen and Supervising
Architect Edbrooke. Assistant Secretary
Nettleton has furnished a statement in
which he says the majority report is large
ly covert attack upon the memory of
the late Secretary, Window, and its con-
clusion is opposed to the evidence.