The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-10-05
MAYOR PUTS TOWLE OUT.
EN0rNBIR A VICTIM or TIE REPORT
ON ASPHALT PAVING.


Coils and Brooknsld say They're Ready
for the Tamnany Reformers-Collis Will
Make IL Interesting for His Tammauy
Predecessors-Flre Away, Says Brookneld
Mayors Secretary Downes announced yes
terday afternoon that the Mayor had demand
cd and received the resignation Of Stevenson
Towle. consulting engineer in the Department
Of Highways. Why the resignation was de-
handed Mr.. Downes said he did not know.
When Mr.. TowIe was asked by a reporter
about his resignation he evaded a question as
to whether II had been demanded and said
that he had contemplated resigning some
line He said further that he had interests In
the West Indian Islands and that he intended
to leave this country on Tuesday to go to Porto
Rico. That was "a much as could be learned
OF his plans. Mr.. Towle was chief engineer
In the old Department Of Public Works before
consolidation. and was employed In the Blu
reau OF Streets. He resigned on March 81,
1897, while Gen. Coils was Commissioner VI
Public Works. When Tammany came into
power on Jan. 1 he was appointed q consulting
engineer in the Department Of Highways by
COMMISSIONS Heating. The Mayors de-
mand for his resignation yesterday followed
the report Of Commissioner Of Accounts
Hertle and Owen on the old Department OF
Public Works. In speaking OF the letting Of
contracts for asphalt paving the Commission
ers said In their public report that q clause In
the asphalt paving contracts was altered 80 as
to admit California asphalt about the time
the California Asphalt Company came into
existence. OF which Henry b. Towle was treas
urer. and who Is a son OF the then chief engi;
neer Of the Department OF Public Works, and
from whose Office all changes in specihoa-
lions emanated."
Mr.. Towle was sent to the island Of Trinidad
mines there, and on his return made, q report
praising the quality OF the product. He is re-
carried Tbs as as an j expert ISGS, on IA sn , =. thoo,r,o,,v
fred bomb Of caEelessness and fraud in the
Department Of Public Works under Mayor
did not show any signs Of falling into a panic
over the alleged d dis GGE, yeIst,eeiTId dgy pr They
field. who together controlled the department.
who were heads of the department. Gen. Col
Zig said that he had no reply to make to the
to make political capital. Gen. Coils added
show the difference in his methods as Com
missioner and those followed by some OF his
predecessors. AS to the paving contracts made
Figures, don't lie and the records, of the
department show conclusiyely that in the case
ministration I laid not 1000 feet or yards. but
six miles more asphalt pavement for the same
naDSeyt than han any any precious DsSd hs Go% mn m / IOHing since mSe
terIal. / have all these records at my house
and know exactly where to refer to them in
the books OF the department, The officers OF
the present administration are evidently un-
der the impression that | have no record OF
the figures OF the transactions which occurred
while | was Commissioner, AS q matter OF
fact, l have a set Of books at home which con-
he price paid for every foot Of paving
done In this city in my ADMINISTRATION.
Gen. Coils said that he and Mr.. Brookfleld.
on assuming office, found that the speclfica-
tions called for Trinidad Lake asphalt. They
changed the clause to permit the use OF any
asphalt, equal to the Trinidad product, and
Coils said that the Tampany people seemed
PAYERS. rejected all bids and readvertised.
Gen. Coils hopes that District Attorney Gardi-
ner will investigate the case fully and call him
as, a Witness. He thinks that he can, tell some
things that Tammany will not relish.
Mr.. Brookfeld hadn't read the report when
a reporter saw him. He, said that he let
that those. like all other contracts made by
him. were Of such a character that an %investi-
CATION would. o tvdisturb him in the least.
The Mayer t .aaRlks Of prison bars said
behind prison bars. then out with it, and the
sSops 81 The he better rss1G,.i 4 HR ready to take my
District Attorney Gardiner said that after
looking overthe report Of the Commissioners Of
he was satisfied that there was evil
dence on which to base indictments. He said
that the reports were voluminous. and 1t
would take him at least ten days to have them
thoroughly looked over. The entire transac-
said. and that body would be the sole judges