New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-03
Irlr O1 1900

called to this many times but 1 did not wish
10 speak until had personal knowledge gained
by observation.
On the 1Ith inst. drove from the upper end
OF the Boulevard. where the work is progressing
for some blocks below, and / can safely say
that not more than one in ten men was en-
ployed. and even these were engaged in ham
mering without effect
There will be a day OF reckoning Of the cost OF
carrying forward this work 1t is not difficult,
and j can see no obstruction to be met with
save here and there some rock. The cost per
mile should not be greater than that expended
for the construction of the Eighth-ave, line of
the Metropolitan Street Railway system above
Fifty -ninth-st.
AS a stockholder of the company, certainly
carrying on this work At the moment my pro-
test may be of no avail, but if the cost OF the
work proves TO be exorbitant then an explana-
tion must be forthcoming
I doubt very much If there has ever been
public work or a work for a corporation where
there much lettering there is on this
JOHN D. CRIMMINs.
The Third Avenue Railroad Company.
New-York July 2S. 1899.
Dear Sir: Your favor OF the 25th inst.
duly received and it's contents noted. In reply
thereto would say that we are giving the work
referred to our closest attention, and TO such
extent that there IS not a day passes but what
we furnish the contractors with 2 list of the
foremen and men whose immediate discharge
we request for not performing the work required
OF them
You speak Of the construction OF the Eighth
ave. line. do not think that that should be held
S example, for certainly there was as Tnucn
if not more lettering on that section as is on
the referred TO. This give from my per-
sonal observation and having had my attention
drawn to IL by others. and I shall hope that the
cost, everything being equal. will not be as
great that section
am always very grateful TO any one who viii
interest themselves sufficiently TO report any
cause for complaint which I can assure you has
and ALWAYS will receive our prompt attention to
have the same remedied. Yours truly.
A J. ELIAS, President
Julv 81. 1899.
Dear Mr. Elias.
have yours OF the Doth inst.
Without discussing the lettering on the
Eighth-ave. section. wished to bring TO your
attention the excessive lettering on the Boule-
ward. I have the cost OF the Eighth-ave- section
per mile. You mention that the work Is looked
after and that any foreman that does not do his
duty is discharged. | do not know 1t 20 ne q
fact but il has been stated to me that the work
Is conducted more in the interest of political
party than that OF the stockholders Very SIN
cerely yours. JOHN u CfNiMNi4N9-
The letters were handed TO Tribune reporter
at the home Of John D Crinrnins. at No 40
East Sixty-eighth-st. Mr Crimmins was asked
IL he had ever heard of any men employed on
the Boulevard section Of the Third Avenue sys-
tenn being discharged on account OF his COM
plaint He replied that he had not. and he
added that he did not know what action Presi-
dent Elias took in regard to the matter MI
Crimrnins was then asked about the reports
current yesterday concerning the Third Avenue
Railroad Company and It's relations with the
contracting firm OF Naughton & Co. One re-
port was TO the effect that the road, being
made desperate by the large bills Of the con-
tracing firm of Naughton & Co, offered that
concern 81 100000 for the surrender OF its con-
tract and that the offer was declined M
Crimmins knew nothing about this
THINKS DIRECTORS ACTED UNwISELY-
do YOU think the directors of the Third Ave
rral HIaca act IN
the mana cement of the affairs of the company?'
was asked.
NO" said Mr. Crimmins in an emphatic man
ner. 'I do not believe that they have acted lie
gaIly but they have acted very unwisely. The
law gives them great leeway- i am firmly con-
WINGED that the affairs Of the road will be ad-
iusted in a manner satisfactory TO. all persons
concerned. I have the utmost confidence in Mr.
Grant" Continuing. Mr.. Crimmins said;
The mater is now in the hands of the courtA
and sincerely hope that the affairs of the COM
pany will be probed 10 the bottom This Is re-
stockhoiders but the stockholdsrs IN other similar
eSmp1nies II s bv Mo' 6e S recent disclosures Of the
bad management Of that company but all ior
by the turn Of events and the public , has
right TO demand that the Third Avenue road snaa
sIs picion that do not yet know The worst in
the 3r wGrs' se tba contract with Naughton & Co.
was do not think thar 10 is entirely responsible
for the present condition of things There must
have been bad management IN other respects than
this The present deficit in the roads finances Is
too great TO be explained entirely By the contract
for changing the motive power. One important
matter In this connection is the commissions the
road had for financial accommodation Il
am told that they could not get their notes dis
counted without paving from az 10 10 per cent
commission in addition "a The ordinary interest.
taken. Any who has closely watched the road
during the last prepared for this collapse
In the letters l have made public you you vi viii see
oning would surely come And now II rather looks
as though 1t had.
excellent property and that. with proper manage
me N can be put upon it's feet again. Its char
ter Is still valuable II ever was and grows
when very liberal charters were given and its
value cannot be easily destroyed 1t is not DIFF
fcult thing for bad management TO ruin a marrI-
featuring business but a raiiroad conIany, with
so sound a basis the charter OF the Third Ave-
nue. road. Is most indestructthle.
held a few thousand shares each OF the stock OF
the road. and that he had received number
of letters from such persons. The majority OF
the small shareholders. he said. were old resi-
dents OF the city, and after accumulatng fair
sum of money in business had bought shares
In the company and had for many years derived
considerable income from this source Many
such holders had suffered materially through
the company's troubles. Mr.. Crimmins said
FRESH STORIES OF MISMANAGEMENT-
With every day that passes fresh stories oe
mismanagement of the Third Avenue prop
DO YOU REALIZE