The sun., 1898-01-25
BOROUGH BILLS HELD UP.
Contracts Made by Towns and Villages TO Bs
Fought.


Fought.
In answer to question put to him by n Queens
county contractor, yesterday, Corporation
Counsel Whalen said that no money would be
paid on contracts entered into by the towns.and
villages IN the boroughs of Queens and Rich
mond subsequent to the passing Of the charter
until the legality of each and every one of them
was fully established When seen later Mr..
Whalen said that he had issued no formal
opinion upon the legal status Of any Of the con-
tracts for lighting road building. or other i'm
provements in the boroughs of Queens and
Richmond. He reiterated, however, what he
had said to the Queens county contractor and
intimated that the validity Of such contracts
would be fought up to the Court Of Appeals.
Mr.. Whalen's declaration, following upon the
statement issued by Comptroller Coler, concern
ing the bonds Of Queens and Richmond, less
than threo days after he assumed office, has
convinced those who have watched the present
city Government that determined effort will
be made by Mayor Van Wyck to prevent the
saddling upon the present city of the cost of
miles of macadam road and the maintenance
of thousands Of electric lights in the outlying
districts of these boroughs. Whom pressed for
payment of the interest on the bonds issued for
such improvements Comptroller Coler said that
not one dollar would be paid until the validity
of all such bonds had been established, and that
nothing could be determined until full report
had been received from the expert accountants
who are now engaged upon the examination
into the financial affairs Of all the cities and
towns which were consolidated with New
York. Tho Comptroller added that his action
did not necessarily mean that the bonds in ques.
lion had been illegally issued. 1t is understood.
however, that tho present administration takes
the stand that practically ali these bonds arc
tk,11 I'LL ll,vlk
Prior to consolidation several small towns
in Richmond. acting under what they con-
sldered the advice of competent lawyers, en-.
tered into contracts for electric lights al.
most without number, as we'll as many miles
Town Boards renewed their contracts for a
longer period than had been customary because
to the borough Of Richmond improvements
which they. considered Staten Isand entitled
debtedness thus incurred is, In round figures, @
$759,50o. In NorlhAeld, Westfeld southfed.
snd aso heFe
crease of lights: The principal expenditure
however, has been A for 1.N new maoadam roads
seven miles long. which costs si2o. 900. Some
OF the improvements authorized were macadam
iaee OF Port Richmond. Si5, 600; Lights for Cas-.
town. town. 5000; electric iighrs IS ooo Village Village
Of Edgewnter, electric Lights. $2O. 1000; mac
adam roads In Southheld other than the boule-
adam adam VG roads in Westfield. 5000; oo0V electric %
lights. Sio.Ooo; new water supply system for
lures Richmond county has sold bonds TO the
amount of 10000 for the construction of mac
adam roads the contracts for which have not
Besides the $500. 900 or more spent in the i'm
Of G streets a ana rsSS roads In the Villages
contracts for lighting, which run for five years
or more, were made BY the various boards Of
The trustees OF Flushing village contracted with
the Flushing Electric Light and Power Com.
4 % cost Of $4,000 per year. The board also
made q ten.year contract for sprinkling tho
e. In 6Ses s9R snS
year The result 4 that the village has super
trio lights. The College Point Board of Trus
street irnproy yement, but the work has not yet
been commenced. The board also let contract
SF Bonrd o
the Flushing Electric Light and Power Com
pany to furnish nine arc lamps and and l40 incan.
to run for five years at 81. 600 ,por year. The
village also. contracted for the repair and
$1,000. Unlike the other villages, Whitestone
included in its tax budget the amounts necessary
The borough OF Brooklyn may also be affected
by thisscontract muddle. Before the consoltda-
ton OF tho TWO cltleB the brooklyn auInOrltlcS
entered into contracts, which were not certified,
however, for street improvements aggrcgating
S784, 200 President Grout has prepared list
OF these improvements for the benefit OF tho
various boards of local improvements There Is
bill pending before the Legislature provid Ing for
the completion or all these contracts whether
they were confirmed by tho Comptroller or not
Mr.. Grout is not in favor of such q sweeping
moasure but suggests that bill should be
passed giving the local boards the discretionary
power to continue or discontinue tho improve
ments under the direction OF the Comptroller.