New-York tribune., 1896-09-29
NO CHARGES, SAYS STEELE.
DENIES MAKING ACCUSATIONS AGAINST
COMMISSIONER COILS.
STATEMENTS ABOUT THE PUBLIC WORKS DE-
PARTMENT. AND WHAJ IS SAID By
THOSE CONCERNED.

PARTMENT. AND wHAJ IS SAID By
THOSE CONCERNED.
Currency was given yesterday to repor. init.
mating that charges were 10 be formulated against
General Coils with regard TO his management OF
the Public Works Department, and that the
Greater New-York Commission Of the Legislature
OF which Senator Lexow Is chairman, might enter
upon an investigation Of the Department II Is
said that the charges are the outgrowth Of the
resignation OF Adelbert n. Steele Deputy Commits
sioner OF Public Works few months ago. Tho
reason for the resignation. 1t was asserted was q
refusal on the part OF Mayor Strong order an In
vestigation into the Department by the Commits
sioners Of Accounts on lines suggested by Mr.
steele The main point in the alleged charges
related to the awarding OF the Fifth-aye.
asnhalt paying contract to the California Asphalt
COMPANY of which John d. Crinmns. jr.. 10
nrosident and the suretes upon the bond OF which
were 10 have been John d. and Thomas z. Grim
Minis The contract was afterward said to have
been turned over to the Barber Company. Among
other charges was that supplies were being
furnished 10 the Department by men In close rela-
,ionship 10 General Coils In violation OF the resu-
lations OF his office
General Coils after reading the sensational
statement published yesterday. said: The charges
90 utterly without foundation They are entirely
,a,sa There is not word Of truth In them.
Let them go ahead and prefer charges
II do not 10 go into the reasons WHICH
brought about the resignation OF MI. S'ee'e az my
deputy but II Mr.. Steele desire 1t am ready 20
r,ake rho reasons public. That is all care 70 say
IN that subject to-day. Any statement 'hat 'here
h h..n a stoaI In asphalt Is the merest oosh l
ha,o nh, down asphalt warranted for fifteen years.
o., e, 70 q souare yard My predecessor paid IS -
n souare ward With NcO.W put DOWN eight
miles more OF asphalt than ne. DO not care 70
state why Steele left the Department until II Is ao-
solutey necessary.
MAYOR Strong said that he remembered that Mr.
s,eele had requested investigation OF the DE-
remnant but II was the same newly appointed
o@c,sIs are accustomed ask when they enter
upon their duties -.
'Mr Steeles request was not ignored salu INC
Navor my Commissioners OF Accounts maue the
desired investigation. and they maze report 70
me which showed the Department 10 De IN good
condition They found nothing demanding censure
The Mavor preferred 10 say nothing regarding Mr..
c,eels,s resignation at present but regarding v'sN
which Alderman Parker was alleged 10 nave had'
10 him he said: Il remember that Alderman ra'he'
came to see me some time ago In connection win
the Department Of Public Works DO not hho~'
however that he came directly from MT steele
Nore than This I certainly do not believe that MI
Steele ever said that he resigned because did not
suprort him In his effort to have an investisauon
made OF the Department of Public Works. snai
look into the matter, but shall say nothing al
prese Mt"
ctv official referring to the subject said yester-
dav. General Coils when Deputy Commissioner
under Mr. Br )okfield was allowed pretty full swing
IN the way OF appointments and other aIairs "hicn
politicians regard important, ana "heh Nir'
Steele came to succeed General Coils after the ee
vaticn of tee latter the head OF the Department.
he expected to have the same eeway under Coils
that Coils had under Brookfed General Coiiis
however refused 10 let go his hold on most OF tho
natronage and Mr.. Steele WAS very much disap.
pointed Friction between the Commisslogher Cog n anu h
Mayor who after hearing both sides refused 70
interfere Thereupon Mr. Steele resigned MS place.
Alderman Parker made the following statement
The trouble started this way. l was told by
Rerrv aways got 60 cents out OF the price of every
yard Of asphalt laid in hs city ny enT IGa IN Hns. e beps
ment He told me he knew it. and advised me 70 see
'"s Fl @ saw the Mayor told him Of what had d. heard ar,
Of what steele had told me ga and S ais9 1i 5a9 hs
''"i' y replied: Nj Mayor. may look ike big chnmp
hu, n Won take me for you are mistaken mere
our our interview ended This occurred Jus; prior to Mr.
Steee's resignation -. ,,o..,r ,,s de,,,rdea
that the matter. being ugly ono. should have an
investigation once. making MS ressnan9n1 me
sxnected that Coils wo'ld be asked 70 explain sats-
factori.y or resign. Instead OF that Mr. Steele was
%Ry SPs p M Parker burst q apee7 Tomb u,S':
thing extends even TO the 6uIaps ba soor,e OF ra
..Wan IN "I d"n know-that is I am not sure Of the
Grant Monument business. but | understand tnat
certain wel-known gentleman IS Den'u ne ,eu nnore
Monument affair. Mr. steele pernapS can 'e' INV
abou; IT, for ne knows all the facts
Nv Stee'e las, evening sent the following letter
20 the editor Of The Evening Journal the paper
which frs; published the story:
New-York September 2s 1895.
Sir: Ny attention has been called 10 an asteT s' ~
our evening edition OF to-day. under me hea1Ihf
;.T-olv Charges Against General COILS, IN Whlcn u
,s alleged iha, I had attended conference yeste.-
nd had m
missioner OF Pubic Works. and that | had resisneI
nv position as Deputy-C Commissioner OF fuolc
Works because Mayor Strong declnel 20 sHpp99It
me IN an effor; 70 have an investigation oi ne ue-
partrnen, made by the Commissioners OF Accounts.
I desire 10 inform you that had nothing 20 90
with any conference this subject. nor was aware
that any conference was held | never reqleSIe1
Mayor Strong order an investigatlon OF me De
partment OF Public Works by he Commissloners OF
Accounts nor by any other person did not resign
Navor: bu. on the contrary, desire 20 say mar
was requested by the Mayor 20 accept the posiiion
Of Commission OF Public Works. ana nat
he always gave me- his confidence ana support IN
that position.
Controller Fitch yesterday approved the bond OF
the Barber Asphalt Company for the aspha'tns OF
Fif,h-ave The approval made upon an opinion
OF the Corporation Counsel rendered on the question
as to the Legality OF the subettng OF the contract oy
the California Asphating Company 20 the Barber
The California company subet the contract a.
the same figure as I, bid for the work. sS2s.cD me
Barber company had bid $1,000 higner out accep.ssa
the work al the CALIFORNIA; bid. The bond ior mo
work was made by the American FiieIy and Casu-
atty Company.