New-York tribune., 1895-09-26
MINUTES.


The investigation Of the Dock Department
under the Tammany regime was continued by
the commissioners Of Accounts yesterday after
noon in room No. l23 OF the Stewart Building
AT Broadway and Chambers-st. Witnesses were
examined by Commissioner Terry, who said he
would try to uncover the schemes OF ring of
contractors who had been in collusion with
Tammanv Dock Commissioners. William Taylor
was the first witness. He is lumber dealer of
Middletown, Del lie testified that on January
: 1893 he put in a bid through Powis & Co. for
supplying spiles which lower than bid
submitted by A. j. Murray, but the latter
secured the contract. He said that Mr.. Steers
Of Steers & Graves told him the reason he
failed to get the contract was because he was
not up in Tammany.
Then" said the witness, II went up to Tam
many Hall and paid $500 to W. J. Fenton as a
contribution to the campaign fund"
Richard Croker was present. and thanked him
for the contribution, but the witEess was told
later by Dock Commissioner Phelan. he said that
the money should have been sent to Pier A.
c. W. Haskns. an expert accountant testified
that the bid Of Powis & Co. was 81 SS9 80, while
the bid Of \. j. Murray was $l2,l27 so. Taylor
was to have supplied Powis G Co. with the
smiles Haskins testified that there was no men,
tjon in the minutes of the Board of awarding the
contract 10 Powis & Co. and subsequently re-
jecting it.. There was mention Of the fact how
ever on the treasurer's records.
COULD GET NO EXPLANATION.
wB r. Powis testified that his firm had bid to
supply spiles. The bid was the lowest. and DOCK
Commissioner Phelan awarded the contract TO
Powis & Co. Subsequently the award was re-
scnded and all endeavors to obtain an expana-
lion from Commissioner Phelan were fruitless
Allan NJ Wrennick the partner of Mr.. Powis
corroborated the statements of the latter. He
sad the contract had been awarded to his firm
and then Commissioner Phelan, without an eX-
planation took the award away sHe called on
the Commissioners, but they remained silent
when pressed for a reason for their action
f. l.. Richardson, Of Westfeld. y. j.. who had
been connected with various lumber hrms sald
he had made an arrangement with Fowls * 20
for the contract which had been awarded them
There would have been a good profit on the
contract shared between US" said the witness
He testified further that at the time ne onereo .i
10 take the contract from POwis d Co, or snare
II he was connected with the firm OF Graves *
Steers the leading factor in the combination 10
keep up prices. Another hrm IN tne c9Inplla1 ma
lion was Charles NJ. Kempner Co lie SAID
that these and others had an understanding
not 10 bid below certain price and that II was
a very profitable one When steers louha 0u' Ua
that he had been negotiating with Powis q Co
he was very angry that any overtures 10 an out
side firm that was trying 10 break me Tihs
should have been made. The witness said that
as an upshot OF the affair he left-the- sarm.
COMMISSIONER PHELAN ON TRlAl"
Delos McCurdy, who represents Commissioner
Phelan. wanted to ask several questions but
Commissioner Terry ruled that they were not
pertinent to the subject.
Il beg to differ with the Commissioner SAID
the LAWYER The minute you place witness
,nder oath and he makes damaging statements
that reflect on the honesty Of others that per
son affected is certainly on trial before 'he
While the Commissioners conferred together.
Mr. NcCurdy resumed: "Win you assure me
that I will be permitted to subpoena all ''''
Witnesses" ,. .ba wit.
we can make no promises about eo,V.as Ine vi
nesses We had to subpoena them ourselves M
rbere will he n time VIII any injustice uoNe
can he righted" said Commissioner Terry.
But I fear that 1t will be after 'he u"N'"e'
is done" Mr. McCurdy said , ,.u to.
Then the inquiry was ADJOURNED UNI" "
morrow at p. m