New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-10
EXAMINING BRIDGE AFFAIRS
THE ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE BEGINS ITS
INVESTIGATION.
CHIEF ENGINEER MARTIN AND SECRETARY
BEAM THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OF

BEAM THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF
BRIDGE TRAFFIC
The Assembly Committee appointed to investigate
the MANAGEMENT OF the business affairs OF the
Brooklyn Bridge met In Part III Of the Superior
Court yesterday morning. There were present AS
semblymen O'Grady. Frank ID. Pavey William Hal
pin and Charles Keenhots.
on account Of the investigation OF the Kings
County Charities Department taking place at the
same time that of the Bridge affairs. the com
mittee compelled TO divide Itself until all the es
tmony is taken in both investigations
The counsel for the committee are James King
Duffy and Charles w. Barring. who is a law part
ner OF Assemblyman Pavey For the Bridge Trus-
tee. the attorney is James c. Bergen. OF Bergen
& Dykman.
Mr. Bergen reviewed briefly the various in
vestgations that have been made of Bridge aHairs'
and said that the officers and trustees were not
only willing that investigation should be had, but
le adv 10 assist the committee by all means in their
power
Senator Bradley. who was one OF inc primo
movers for the present investigation, ana was eN-
pected to be important witness was nor present
When the counsel of the committee called on MI
Bradley at his home the latter said: Il am not
going 10 give the Republicans any powder 10 dow
I'D Democrats as they Uhe Repubhcahs) SAT
upon me In the Senate last session. ana p'at III!
bills" Mr. Bradley subpoenaed TINS horh'"s'
but his son reported that he had gone out Oh low"
and II was not known. when the Senator would re-
turn.
The first witness was Charles c. Martin chief en-
rineer and superintendent of the Bridge lie said:
Il have been connected with the Bridge from us III
centon" and gave general history OF the progress
and various Improvements or the worh' u''i' "o''
he said I'VE have the Brooklyn end pushed as far
I'D as Sands and High SITS, and there are SIN!
cars for the passengers. which carry from lou" ~
,eo oo neonle daily The total receipt OF tolls Tor
the month of the opening OF the Bridge May 49,
1883 was sl0oso IS. The last month. June 1872 the
receipts SlOS. 054 80.
Mr. Duffy for the committee. asked "ne'"e'
,bere were any civil service methods IN vogue
regarding employees and those seeking employ
m.n;. .None but what l prescribe said MT
Martin. ora
AS 10 bids for contracts for supplies-how are
the contracts awarded was asked
we advertise in the Brooklyn and New ork
papers" replied the witness. and also sei'' a.
vitations to contractors bid. When their oiis
are received the contracts are let 70 me 'o"e''
responsible bidder. in the usual manner, s.,,
In the matter OF other supplies the WINES "a. a..
that nearly all contracting firms came 10 tne
bridge ONCE and made their Offers re -, wa men
TO buy cotton ~asse as a. 81, TO cents because the
cnn.ractors wanted the Bridge trade .,
rinaI Mr. Martin said that the reason Tor me
purchase of the extra propery Vas no, ,be Rridge
But to avoid the which had been msae
the old terminal This curye nad neem and the
nDeraiion OF the cars but the public as wen
At the afternoon session the affairs OF o me J' for
he committee The first witness was Henry LEAN,
the present secretary, who has hed the enc , and
figures pertaining TO the extension OF TIE hIins5u
and the current expenses. There MAS s'.an!
1895 The month OF the largest receipts IN tle
history Of the Bridge was october nv. wnen M
Of real estate owned by the Bridge amounted ,aSt
COZ
'.Tbe bridge has paid from It's opening TO date
to the city OF BROOKLYN s,@oco. and to me cry ny
NJ Ney-York $4,000 The Bridge has paid ali us
oneratne expenses with the exception OF the out
Law for the new terminal stations ,--,..
given by MI Martin. He said the total receipts
Prom tolls since the opening OF the Bridge mad been
so. 500 l16. , ..,o, A..oc o.,
Mr. Martin was recalled and testified briohy IN
regard TO some details OF Bridge management. mo
omen session was adjourned until 10 O'Clock to-mor-
row morning and the committee went INTO execu-
tive session