New-York tribune., 1894-04-17
DEFENCE OF THE DOCK BOARD
PRESIDENT CRAM SAYS ITS DREDGING
Is DONE ECONOMICALLY.
OUT TIE DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES
ATTENDING VARIOUS s-COMMIss1ONERs

ioiN llN| OUT TIE DIFFERENT CiRCI MSIANNr'S
ATTENDING VARIOUS COMMISSIONERS
NOT FINANCIALIY INTERESTED.
J. Sergeant Cram. the president OF the Dock
Board in speaking with Tribune reporter yester-
day. said
"The statements published almost daily intended
TO reflect on the manner IN which the business OF
the Dock Department H. conducted ar apparently
written for the sole purpose Of misleading ;he pub
lie. The facts are 50 CARRIED, twisted and dis
torted as 70 appear udicrous TO any ore ~ an
familiar with the methods Of doing business In the
department. With reference to the dredging Il;
Bay Ridge which s said to BE done for so wnch
less than the department IS paying for similar
work. the facts that contracts have been
awarded there for nearly lroo00 yards OF GreGg-
ing. There is obstruction there such as - o.
countered in the slips around Ncw-York Ci;E. The
latter constantly used for commercial pur-
poses and the work Of dredging IS frequently d.
ayed Then again tho dredging % the Dock De-
partmcnt is done in small quantities. the orders
averaging less than io.O0o cubic yards Hence the
difference In the price. But where dredging Is
being done by the United States Government IN
small quantities the prices are higher than those
paid by the Dock Department.
Among the statements made is ore to the eject
that two OF the Dock Commissioners are interested
in dredging companies. There Is basis FOR the
truth of any such report. and II was subsequently
modified by the statement that one of thea nsh
a
that did work In foreign country.
"rhe treasurer Of the departmcnt says that ne
will give Il substantial reward fer the PROOF Oh
the statement that he sent any cmissary 10 any
dredging concern to obtain prices for dredging o.
that any OF the circGusta tauces alleged - nave
been connected Herewith ever occurred to ms
knowledge. !.
RELATIVE TO the rock which taken out OF
the slip at the pier at Nesey-st. now occupied ~
the American Line. the fact is this Several dT"dE
ing companies in and around New IOrk had plants
capa bic OF dong the work. and did bid for H. Theonly
reason that the contract was awarded to the Nor
ris G Cummings DredEin., Comp2nN was mat com
pany was the lowest bidder. A. 10 the lumter
contract. which has been so much dwclt upon. IN"
material was be delivered In small quantities
extending over period OF several months. hi.i
there was nothing in the specifications To prevent
any dealer from bidding. ana the ittt lhlI
there were more than the usual number OF bidders
shows that the spccifica tons did not "Nci'i" any
body. il is well-known fact that any contractor
vino feels that il hardship Tor him 10 com !
rlv with the requirements 81 the specifications OF
The DEPARTMENT 10y calling on the toilinsSlnn-
ers have his grievance inquired mo "hh Ju7''''
done him The politics Of persons doinE busih' -
with the deparinlc not known and are never
! asked The work of the department Is donc IN Il
thorough and busincsslite manner. ana VIII pear
the strictest scrutiny and investigation rom any
fair-minded and disint"restcd person
! An expert in dredging matters. IN speaking OF
| the prices paid 10y the Dock Department Tor dFeis
ing work, said: II think they are gritlnE re
! work done cheaplv NJ the price they hfc Iayhe.
II Is we'll done The contractors cannon ihaH'
| much money on II II they honestly tow aH the
/ stuff they dredge ou' to and dump H. II thel
tow II out 10 sea tho lawful distance. 1t would DE-
| another thing Mind Won, have no evidence NJ,
/ the work of the DOCK Department Is not H'ne
! faithfully In this respect