New-York tribune., 1896-04-07
o0HN OBRIEN AND HIS CLAIMS
So"E STATEMENTS ABOUT THE BILL. AT ALBANY.
AND WHAT THE CORPORATION CoUN-

'0"h SiA'HMHNTs ABOUT THE BILL AT ALBANY
AND WHAT THE CORPORATION CoUN-
sell SAYS oy THEM
John o Brien. the weknown Aoueduct contractor
and eX-chairman of the Democratic State Commit
zee. mas sent to this Office letter abusing The
tribune and some city officials for opposing the bill
introduced at Albany relating to the Aqueduc
Gains The letter is as follows:
To the Editor of The Tribune
Ill, On my return to this city my attention was
aiieu 10 an editorial in your paper of the 2d inst.
IN which it is stated The contractors appealed to
the courts 10 compel the city 70 rive them extra
Psy Py for the extra work their own wfu malpractice
hau rendered nevessary."
Ihis statement being an absolute untruth you
MeLe M eNher imposed upon. or else YOU have deliber
ately made this false statement to assist in robbing
York man tha, will publish falsehood for the
purpose OF lnJuring another man and will re-
cannot be considered an honest man '''''''''
In regard to the Aqueduct contractors claims yoI
KNOW M taat there was not man connected with that
Work that knew more about it, nor there an
otner man as competent TO Judge the contractors
long time was Commissioner OF Public Works, and
by virtue of said office Aqueduct Commissioner
w nat astonishes every one is that the city should
tondescend 70 take advantage of robber law. of Law
debts e"'"N O"' 0' '"' payment 0' a'ese'
The law that General Newton referred to is a
from common-law liability. 1t was never intended
work done for which they would not have to pay
rms was done in our case hence the honorable
Judges of the courts letters in favor.
Nearly all the statements your paper has prnte |
in the pa$ years in regard to defective masonry
on the Aqueduct were gross eXaGScrations many
Of them absolute falsehoods. As an illustration as
sentatves of the city into publishing false state
ments in regard to the contractors claims. you
Albany last week IN regard to bill. emanated
from the Counsel TO the Corporation and his repre-
sentatives In Albany Their statement that the bill
provided for payment to the contractors for deec-
live masonry they knew to he false because they
knew that It provides that no claim snail be heard
or tired for labor performed materials furnished. in
Gliding SroutirG 10 repair or make good defective
masonry.
1t seems TO be deporable state OF affairs when
representatives of the ciiy of New-York 30 resort
TO falsehoods in order that the city shall succeed IN
avoiding paying its debts and the newspapers OF the
city being aware that they falsehoOdT. silent
about it. Respectfully yours, JOHN OBRlEN.
Corporation Counse, Scott. who prepared the me-
mortal to the Legislature attacking the bill. which
signed by the principal officials Of tho city.
ing O Bricns letter yesterday said II cannot stoop
to answer v!tuperaiion and bilngsgate There ts
nothing In this statement worthy OF reply.
I'VE compelled them 10 amend the bin after It's
introduction SO that II would no: require pay men
by the city for defective work This a part
Of the scheme. and not relnquished until it was
exposed All The Tribune has said in criticism Of
this latest assault upon the city treasury has been
proper and just"
The Tribune's criticisms Of this bill based
upon the court and official records the opinions Of
expert engineers and other eminent authority The
unprejudiced public viii be inclined credit the
testimony OF this character from officials who have
carefully examined the O Brien claims in preference
to interested persons like Mr.. O'Bren