New-York tribune., 1896-05-03
FOR NEW WORK on THE SPEEDWAY
MONEY ASKED FOR TO REMEDY DEFECTIVE
CONSTRUCTION.

The Finance Committee of the Board Of Aldermen
held a public hearing yesterday on the request of
the Park Commissioners that the Aldermen pass an
ordinance permitting the completion Of work on the
Harlem River Driveway, by the Park Commission
ers. without public letting under amended plans
and appropriating s2sO.Vo0 for the work.
President s. V. z. Cruger Of the Park Board. ad-
dressed the committee. and explained that when an
Investigation was made by Professor W. II. Burr
consulting engineer OF the Board II was found that
there was considerable defective work in the first
section, which runs from one hundred-and-hfty-
ffth-st. 10 High Bridge. The subway was badly
constructed and the crib work should have been put
down thirty-two feet in some places, instead Of
eighteen. The work had been done this section
by the contractor James d. Leary, in strict
cordance with the specifications drawn by the Park
Boards engineers. The Commissioners thought
that a stone retaining wall, instead of a wooden
bulkhead. should be built. The work had been
somewhat demoralzed by the amendment Of the
original law. which provided for the work. by the
Legislature The Board had made the request for
leave TO complete the work without public letting
with reluctance. The members had found the task
of looking into the unsatisfactory work done so con-
fusng that they thought contractor could take
up the work where IT had been interrupted and
complete it with intelligence. Besides,
tractor would have to come In direct contact with
the old contractors and this would cause consider
TO be fair to contractors. and would inss; on the
contractors being fair with the people II the Board
permitted to deal directly with them.
The Commissioners wanted $4,000 TO repair de-
fective work In the first section and 10 complete
the section The other $4,000 OF the proposed ap-
propriation was needed pay for additional work
required by the changes In the law made by the
Legislature, such the planting Of trees In loan
and the laying Of sidewalks along the sides. In
some places also something other than dirt would
have to be used for roadbed to prevent rains from
washing the road away grades
In answer TO question from Alderman Frank
Goodwin Commissioner Cruger said that the crib
work already done. under the most favorable cir
cumstances would not last more than fifteen years.
Chairman W. NJ X. Ocott wished know
whether the Park Commission based their request
simply their personal opinions. Mr. Cruger an
swered that Professor Burr the authority for
his statements. No defective work. he said. had
been found in the second section.
Mr.. Olcott thought there would be great danger in
accedlng 10 the Park Boards request. He thought
1t would establish precedent.
Professor Burr addressed the committee and de-
scrbed In detail his work OF investigation. He was
OF the opinion that the stone wall spoken OF by Com
missioner Cruger would cost only about 10000 more
than wooden Dulkhead.
John T.. Eusts, lawyer who property
along the drive spoke in favor Of the Park Boards
request.
j. c. Rogers the contractor who had charge Of
the work on the second section addressed the com
mittee and said that about $4,000 would be required
to pay for additional work on the second section.
Professor Burr said he thought that Mr.. Rogers :
estimate too low.
The committee then went into executive session.
II is said that their report will be submitted at
next Tuesdays meeting OF the Board OF Aldermen.