New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-15
.SLX MEN TO TURN A BRIDGE
NaRyEILOUSLY SOFT TAMMANY SINE
CURES UNEARTHED.

] NJ
CURES UNEARTHED.
six If the softest Tammany sinecures that
have ever come to public attention have oeen
unearthed in the Bridge Department Ever
since consolidation six bridge tenders have been
drawing a salary of S166 20 year EACH a total
Of s4599 for turning a small wooden bridge
which spans Newtown Creek, at Jackson-aFe
Flushing three times day.
Previous TO consolidation the work was let
ont by contract TO William Sands, who keeps a
small saloon and fishing station near the bridge.
Sands received $500 2 year for turning she
bridge whenever a schooner passed up or down
the creek. This not often. About TWO
months prior to consolidation the supervisors OF
Flushing and Newtown put their heads togetner-
As the contract with Sands expired about mat
time they saw a chance to provide comfort
able herths for few of their friends at the eX-
pense of the city of New-York. So they appoint
ed as bridge tenders at 5000 year four Of their
Democratic followers. The new bridge tenders
were ushered into the greater New-York with
consolidation and were not disturbed by the
Tammany administration In fact, the Tam
many administration built on the foundation
laid by its rural friends in Queens and ADDED
two more bridge tenders at 5000 a year. one
of the original appointees William Sands.
He had been turning the bridge single handed
for $3.50 a year. and received SpV anu H"e as
sistants under the arrangement
Later the Democratic administration decided
that these bridge tenders ought to wear uni
forms and increased the salaries of the sex
tet to S166 30 a year each enable them to
pay for the clothes.
Heretofore Mr. Sands has been able to hold his
bridge job without letting it interfere with his
saloon and fishing business. This year things
are different The fishing season is approach
ing and Mr. Sands has about 80 small boats TO
let Therefore, he has resigned as bridge keeper,
so that he devote all his time to his boats
His resignation took effect on April l. No one
has been appointed to fill the vacancy, ana IL
is probable that one Will
Bridge Commissioner Lindenthal has the
Flushing bridge under investigation. and thinks
seriously Of again letting the work out by con-
tract as was done by the old town of Flush
ing Mr. Sands may be willing to take the Joo
at the old figure of $3.50 year. There Is state
law which provides for eight hours work and
81 a dav for all men engaged public work, but
this did not interfere with Mr.. Sands before,
and it probably viii not if he gets the contract
again He employs many men about his fish
ing station, and probably pays some OF them
81 a day Turning the bridge three times day
will not take them away from their hshing
work often.
The six bridge tenders have been used in
eight hour shifts In the year 1901 the records
show that the bridge opened and closed
S,4 times, less than three times day. The
bridge has single trolley track across it, over
which the New-York and Queens County Rail-
way carries passengers from Long Island City.
With five bridge tenders on the bridge, the rail-
road company had occasion TO complain recently
TO the Bridge Department that the bridge WAS
left open longer than necessary and that the
railroad traffic greatly delayed. There
were no complaints when Mr.. Sands had the
contract because his men closed the bridge
fast as possible so that they might get back
10 their fishing work. The five bridge tenders
whose official heads now in jeopardy are
Henry Zaun, Frank Heaney. Edward McGrath,
Elwood Van Nostrand and Frank Krahl. Com
missioner Lindenthal said yesterday
If can find somebody to take the contract
for turning the Flushing bridge at the old fig
ure or near it, the contract will be made, and
the bridge tenders removed. / had no idea that
such a condition Of affairs existed until a rev
DAVIS ago ! must find such things out myself.
There is no one to make suggestions to me, and
abuses of this kind-bequests from the recent
adrninistration-must come to light in the course
of time ] dare say other irregularities that
need attention will up from time to time.
neer in charge of the Borough of Queens, and
Will find out just what can be done
Edward A. Byrne engineer for Queens,
ro-ted to the Commissioner while The Tribune
reporter was present. He recommended that an
certain hours fixed for the opening of the
Flushing bridge If eight hours set aside
for this purpose the bridge could be run with
only tenders. he said