New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-11-24
JURY ACTS ON WATER.
REPORT THAT DALTON AND BIRDsALL
HAVE BEEN CALLED.
TIERS ABOUT INVESTIGATING DE-
PARTMENT RECORDS

The Grand Jury. 1t was reported yesterday
has sent notices to Commissioner Dalton and
Chief Engineer Birdsall. of the Department OF
Water Supply TO appear as witnesses on Mon
day. While the reasons for summoning the two
officials have not been disclosed it is supposed
that the Grand Jury desires information about
the present impurity of the Croton water which
IS causing so much complaint in the city. 1t Is
possible that the Grand Jury may desire to
learn something regarding the apparent den-
ciencies in revenues from the metered supply OF
water, as indicated in the report to the Mer-
chants Association, which was published yes
terday.
Commissioner Dalton declined yesterday to
talk about the Grand Jury summons. but MI
Birdsan said: Il have had so much experience
with Grand Juries that I have stopped trying
10 guess what they may want 10 know" MI
Birdsau declared again yesterday that Fred
erick B. De Berard, who made the report to the
Merchants Association. did not know what he
was talking about when he charged discrep-
ancies in the reports OF the Water Department
He continued: The Merchants Association had
TO do something 10 make more capital The
merchants Will contribute for the investigation
Of a supposed gigantic fraud in the Water De-
partment. and when the money is all spent
they'll find out that the only trouble was that
Mr De Berard thought white was black"
William F King. president Of the Merchants
Association. yesterday named the committee he
was authorized TO appoint for the examination
Of the reported discrepancies in the reports Of
the Water Department. The committee consists
of Alvah Trowhridge, chairman; Adolph Open
hyTa, John C Eames Frank squier and John c,
Juhring. The committee viii begin Immediately
an examination to determine the extent and
character of an investigation that may be need
ed 70 show the extent Of alleged discrepancies.
REPORTS ARE INCOMPLETE.
The Merchants Association yesterday gave
out copies Of letters which Commissioner Dalton
recently wrote TO the association in response TO
requests for facilities to obtain information The
first letter was written by Mr.. Dalton on Sep
TENDER "a in reply TO letter sent by Mr.. De
Berard which asked for information as 10 the
number Of water meters in use. the average
daily consumption of water by the meters, the
aggregate revenue credited 70 the meters in each
of several years. and the water rate for each
year The Commissioners letter contained the
following:
am fully cognizant of the fact that the quar-
terly and annual reports Of the late Department
Of Public Works have not uniformly given SUCH
information as would enable your association
by the aid of clerks accountants outside OF
the office force Of this Department to deduct
In consequence Of the incOmpleteness Of the
Information in the quarterly and annual reports
in this respect. il would be necessary to go
through hundreds of volumes of the books OF the
Bureau of Water Registry to collect and tabu-
late some Of the information called for and such
work could only be done outside Of Office hours
and by the most experienced and competent
clerks in the Department.
Irrespective Of the Impractical bilty Of using
the Water REGISTRARS books ,; and amer bo 0ciaI
have TO state that the clerical force. in conse-
Quence Of the limitations of appropriations made
~ the Department. is so fully occupied during
official hours thar none could be spared from
their regular work.
I have no objection 70 the employment by your
association of competent clerks of this Depart
ment to perform the work required outside Of
office hours if you can make satisfactory ar
Tengements 10 that end. That arrangement
would be most preferable, and l think would be
advantageous to your association, as it would
insure practical and correct results with less
labor. in shorter time and with less arrangement
of records than II the work were done by clerks
or accountants who are not familiar with the
Department records and accounts. However.
you are at liberty to choose between employing
clerks Of this Department or others. In the lat
ter case ii would be necessary TO have at least
one responsible officer or clerk present at all
times while the records and books being
used. and such officer or clerk would naturally
look 10 your association for compensation for
services before or after office hours
Mr.. De Berard replied thanking the Com
missioner. and suggesting that it would be we'll
TO wait until after the impending election as
political intent might be wrongly imputed The
Commissioner wrote again on October II, say
ing;
In reply desire TO say that the fact that we
are before an impending election does in no
manner interfere with what myself and nv
officers and clerks can Go in the investigation
which your association desires TO make On
the contrary. l consider il a most opportunA
time for Investigations and for publication Of
The results therefrom. in order that the people
at large and the electors may obtain the fullest
possible Information.
DEPARTMENT CLERKS LIKELY TO AID.
Mr. King sent Arthur ". Teele to Mr. Dalton's
Office with letter Of introduction. saying:
The purpose o. Mr.. Teele's calling at this time
Is 10 arrange with you for opportunity to OH
tain general idea as TO the system and method
or keeping the records. rather than to go into
detailed examination OF any particular record.
Mr.. Dalton was not at his Office when Mr.
Tee!e presented the letter but after the election
the Commissioner wrote TO Mr.. King in part:
As you do not specify what records or parts
or recorcs Of the department you wish 10 OBJ
tain general idea Of as to system and method
Of keeping. am I correct in assuming that II is
the records referred TO in the correspopdenre
with Mr.. De Berard?
II your letter refers TO other or additional rec
oros or the department. will you kindly so state
and designate the records concerning which
you desire 10 obtain information?
Mr.. King replied that information regarding
the systems Of record and the routine Of Of.
fee work was needed before an examination nj
records could be begun 1t is expected that the
examination will be prosecuted with the aid Of
clerks in the Department Of Water Supply
Several physicians Of the city have declared
that they believe sickness in the city will be Az.
gravated if the condition Of the Croton water !.
not improved President Murphy and other Of
fcials Of the Health Department declare tia,