New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-05
THE MAYORS CRY OF FRAUD.
HE DEMANDS THE RESIGNATION OF STE
VENSON TOWLE AND MAKES AN
OTHER ATTACK on THE FOR
MER ADMINISTRATION


Following up his declaration that there had been
frauds in the Department Of Public Works under
the administration Of Mayor Strong. Mayor Van
WICK yesterday demanded and received the resig-
nation OF Stevenson Towe. chief engineer OF the
department Of Highways The manner OF the
mayor left no doubt in the minds OF some poll
ucians that he intended TO emphasize his campaign
cry OF fraud, but he would make no statement on
the subject TO newspaper Mr.. Towe former
~ was consulting engineer in the Department OF
Public Works. having been appointed by Commits
sioner Brookfeld. His bureau was made the sub
Ject OF criticism In the report OF the Commissioners
OF Accounts to the Mayor on Monday. and It was
on this account that his reslgnst ton de-
handed
AT the meeting OF the Board O.: Estimate and
Appointment yesterday the Mayor took occa-
sion to make another attack upon Mayor Strong 5
administration. John W. Keller. the Commits
sioner OF Charities. told the Mayor that the build
ings on Randalrs Island were in dapidated con-
dition that the old pavilion there should be re-
paired at cost OF SIS 600 that floors costing
S2oM should be put in the pavilions, that steam
heating plant costing 600 necessary that
part OF the Metropolitan Hospital was in dilap-
dated condition and that the floors OF the city
Hospital were rotten.
Hold on" said the Mayor Mayor Srong's
administration spent nearly soooo0co extra. Did
your Department get none Of t?'
No sir: none OF Il spent In the Department
OF Charities" said Mr.. Keller
DO you know a society known the State
Charities Aid Association asked the Mayor.
Il do"
Have the members OF that society the right to
visit these hospitals and make recommendations"
The law gives them that right" said Commits
sioner Keller.
why did they not make these recommendations
during Mayor Srong's term"
They were always making them. but the recon-
mendations were not always needed"
We'll. II you get this money | shall expect the
members Of the society to keep an eye on you
and see that you carry out these improvements"
said the Mayor 1T seems incredible that much
money could have been spent during the admins
tration OF Mayor Strong and your Department
should get so little. ! wonder where did IL go. I
think know where some OF II went In the Depart
ment OF Public Works
District Attorney Gardiner said Yesterday that
the Grand Jury might take up the report Of the
Commissioners Of Ac counts Mayor Van Wyck
He added that he had received special reports
from the Commissioners Of Accounts, embodying
the specific charges and faults they found In the
examination Of the books. The reports. ne said.
went into detail and 1t would take days for
him to go over them personally II he finds
that the reports warrant such action he will lay
the matter before the Grand Jury.
Several Tammany politicians about the City Hall
yesterday said they did believe there would he
attempt to put anybody In Jail for alleged frauds
in the Department OF Public Works under Mayor
Strong's administration Some OF them quietly OK
pressed the opinion that the paving contracts and
other contracts in the Department were more ex-
pensivo to the city in Mayor Gilroy's time than
they had been in Mayor Strons's time and that.
while the, cry Of fraud might serve to aid in the
election OF the Democratic ticket. it would not pay
Tammany officials 10 try 10 send anybody 10 Jail.
General c n T. Coils who was the Commls-
s,oner o. Public Works most Of the time under nd
he courted the fullest inquiry. He also said:
officers administration
evidently under the impression that ] have no
record Of the figures OF the transactions which
occurred while l was Commissioner Of Public
Works. As a matter Of fact.'I have set Of books
at home which contains the price paid for every
ton Figures don't lie and the records Of the De-
partment show conclusivey that in the case Of all
the asphalt paving done under my administration
laid not six thousand feet yards, but six miles
asphalt pavement for the same amount Of
money than previous Commissioner s!nes-s s.
phat first used here as paving material.
exactly where TO refer to them in the books Of the
when I came into the Department OF Public
Works Mr. Brookheld and myself found the specif-
cations required that the asphalt should come
from Trinidad Lake. We modified this so to
read. Equal in quality 70 Trinidad Lake asphalt. !,
an opportunity 10 compete. 10 send us specimens
OF their asphalt which submitted 10 chemists
for analysis also required that the new bid
ders should have a plant in existence. and should
refer us 10 a pavement which had stood TWO
years test. Thi. opened competition to all the
world and had five asphalt conn mics at n
oher hoa 5edp pS the Pr ,he Of nyns
sioners OF Accounts will review the records OF my
office with little more care they VIII he surprised
to ind that At one time and not so very long ago
had made a combination. ! rejected all their bids
and readvertised.'