The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-05
HALF A MILLION FOR WIND.
HOW THE RAPID TRANSIT BOARD
SPENDS THE CITT'S MONEY.

The Books er the Commission In n Denlerabie
Condtisn, ard sABO, 900 Rrittered Away
in the Advocacy OF tho Hoic-in-the-Greund
scheme-Mnyer Van wScL,s Cemments.
Tho Commissioners Of Accounts submitted a
report to tho Mayor yesterday concerning the
accounts of the Rapid Transit Commission.
The report is not at all fattering to the Com
missioners. Here II is:
The condition of tho books Of the commits
sion is deplorable in the extreme, so much so
that no accurate data can be compiled there
from. Therefore an account of the disburse-
ments for the entire period, Feb. 9, 1891, to
Jan. l, 1898, had TO. be compiled from copies Of
vouchers found on file in the office Of the
commission. verifying the anne by original
vouchers found on file in tho office Of tho
Comptroller.
IN disbursements OF first commission, as
shown by Comptroller's vouchers, $3l, $50
compensation to.Commissioners and 81, o55.s0
to Adams &c Meals, stenographers, have no
voucher or book record in the office of the COM
mission.
1.-THE first commission, organized in Febru-
AIRY, 1891. under chapter 4, Laws of 1891. was
composed of Commissioners Eugene L. Bushe,
John H. Inman. William Steinway, John H.
Starin, and Samuel Spencer. The second com.
mission, organized in June. 1894, pursuant to
chapter 4. Laws Of 1891. as amended by chapter
1854 Laws of 1894, was composed Of Commits
sioners Alexander E. Orr, William Steinway,
Seth Low, John, Clahin. John II. starin. and
Tho total expenditure and incurred liability
under both commissions from Feb. 0, 1891, to
Jan. ], 1898, including an undetermined habil-
iy for. compensation to present commission
for services since March. 1896, and for which
they have made application to the Appellate
Division Of tho Supreme Court, will bring the
total amount Of expenditures to Jan. 1. 1893.
Attention IL called to tho increased fees to
counsel, namely: First commission, Feb. 8,
1891, to June, 1894, three years four and q quar-
ter months. 91S.036. 90; second commission,
june IL, 1894. to Nov. I, 1897, three years four
and a half months, S7s,50S. SO.
Tho office force Of the commission now con.
Secretary receives a salary Of %, 500 q year,
His duties arc very light and only require an
exceedingly small portion Of his time.
The Chief Engineer, William Barclay Par
sons, receives $4,000 q year salary and devotes
only a small portion Of his time to the duties.
He also employs an assistant.
The Mayor made this statement concerning
the report:
THE report shows that tho firms of Shepard.
Parsons & Ogden and Tracy, Boardman 81 Platt
received the sum Of S7s, 300 SO as special coun-
sci fees. Mr.. Shepard, ! am informed. is Ed
pear before the Appellate Division Of the Su-
prene Court to ask that tribunal to reduce the
amount Of the bond to DO given by the %contrac-
tors who are to construct the road, and which
that court fixed at $40, 100000.
ut seems to me 1t would be more fitting IL
client. the city Of New York, to have that bond
increased to protect the city, instead of having
the bond reduced in the interest of a syndicate
Of builders"