New-York tribune., 1901-02-06
SNOW CONTRACTORS FINED.
MAY LOSE MONEY ON THIS STORM
NAGLE STOPS TRAFFIC IN La
BORERS' PAY TICKETS

1t looks if the last storm would shave off q
good deal of the profit on the Uvalde Asphalt
Company's snow removal contract 1t was es-
timated at the office of the Department of Street
Cleaning last night that the company would
lose between $1,000 and $4,000 on this storm
The storm has been a very obstinate one TO
handle. and in consequence the contractors have
been unable to get enough carts to satisfy Com
missioner Nagle that they were doing what
could be reasonably expected of them.
By the terms Of the contract If they do not
accomplish what the Commissioner demands of
them they may be fined $50 block Commis-
sioner Nagle applied this clause yesterday and
fined the asphalt company $4,000
The contractors expected to have between
fifteen hundred and two thousand carts at work,
but the cart and truck owners refused to work
for the usual amount paid for load-34 cents
because the snow was so heavy and because 1t
could not be loaded quickly. The snow was
frozen and it was necessary to break it up with
picks Owing TO the small number of carts fur
nished by the contractors. the Department of
Street Cleaning was obliged to assist with its
own carts. About thirty three thousand loads
Of snow were removed, and it is expected that
the work in the tenement house districts and
side streets will be finished to-day.
Commissioner Nagle said yesterday afternoon
that he had learned that spectators. working
in harmony with the contractors, were buying
the laborers' snow tickets at discount because
the workmen wanted to get their money imme-
diately On hearing of this Mr. Nagle sent the
following letter:
Mr.. Ralph T Rokehy, President, Broadway
Dear Sir: II has been reported 10 me that traffic
is being carried bv spectators, who purchase
the snow tickets from men employed by you az a
certain discount and that this traffic takes place
right at the doors of your office
Il is quite needless for me to say to you that
this is a nefarlous practice approaching, in my
opinion. a system of nothing less than blackmail,
Department II is specifically set forth that there
shall be no delay in the payment of such claims
by YOU or by your representative
am further instructed that this practice Is
carried on with the full know ledge and consent OF
your general SUperintendentS who, II is stated fall
70 any harm in IT, and this has to such
upon me to exercise my prerogative, conferred
upon me by the terms of the contract, to order
either cOnnives at. countenances OF permits such
backmail TO be practised ON innocent and poor
people.
think IT is not necessary TO go further into
see that immediate and permanent stop is put
10 this practice. and shall furthermore expect
in the dismissal OF any Of your employees who may
be detected in It. Nerv truly yours,
T. 2. NAGLE. Commissioner.
Snow Inspector Stanton said last night that
the contractors thought that in securing the
snow contract they had got a good thing, be-
lieving the Department of Street Cleaning was
going TO work their side. He intimated that
they were mistaken in their belief. This snow
storm, he said was one Of the most obstinate
he had ever seen. because of the freezing of the
rain soaked snow.