New-York tribune., 1903-04-21
HIGH PRINTING PRICES.
Grouts Erperts Sag Cosoen Out
TTamomanys Tdmnany.

Controller Grout yesterday made public the
result of the investigation by his expert ac-
countants and auditors of the accounts OF Ihe
City Record" under the management of Philip
Cowen, Supervisor The Controllers experts
say in part
The Supervisor. in his preparation of the lybS
scheme of letting by schedule to its limit theIepy
eliminating all possibility of genuine e%oInPetIio % i
is indicated elsewhere in this examination in con
4 prominent feature of the previous report was
class OF goods for another asked for by the De
partments apparently to favor the contractor IN
which brought sharp criticism upon his predecessoL
and enlarged the scheme of substitution until it is
of the most conspicuous OF ms auIiliiso "'i'e
Thomas Il. sidebotham jr., who is The City Kgc t
ord office printing contractor t9r 1so'; IN % the aG3
also secured nne-tenths OF the Items us III ' aslIeI
printing contract open competition; was {e 81
samples Of printed blanks given OUT Oh 10 mon
orders by Supervisor Cowen in NoVeInpeT aSt, 4i qp
given an opportunity to bid when the Work was was
awarded. The total cost OF the work 70 ue cfg foy
the Jobs represented by these samples was S9Sf 81
Mr. sdebotham declares his WngnfSS @ f9 - total Of
s12 sos q. difference OF $6526 81 beloW tns Ilt
at which the work awarded by the SupervlsolT Wis lo
An examination of these same samples was n naae
by expert in the mereantile pr.niin9 i If HANKS
in the several boroughs or the specG
oft various departments. IhlS eHpeIt
q reasonable price for the work to De SLEEVE 90
When Mr. Cowen was asked to make a state
ment, he said:
The Controller told me that he Woulq d pre5enf nf
his report at the next meeting of the 6oaru u
CITY Record, so that 1 might be prepared TO SUP
NIT a reply at the time. 1t Would oe d d
breach of courtesy for to release my reply, a.
it is addressed the board and covers every poil
raised by Mr.. Grout. / cannot believe that NJ
Grout is responsible for the breach of courtesy IN
vOyed in giving out the report in advance OF tLe
meeting, and in presenting one side or report pe
before the official assailed, can, without peiI!g
guilty of distinct breach of honor, present MS
side of the -
Controller Grout took occasion TO say at meet
ing Of the Board of City Record that the CON-
duct of my office had been pra1seWortny. l
believe when people the record they VIII pass d
favorable verdict my work The approPIii&d- d.
ton for the Board of City Record for 1911 under
Van Wyck. S731,20o, For 1902, 1ncludlng an an
arrearage of $4,000 it was $685. 600. showing net
decrease in the cost Of the citys printing, Worh
in the of S137,200 In 1902 we We're called on on
previous administrations, that virtually there
Should be added the 200 this item OF extra
work bringing the total saving up to Sl3'2O. II
Mr. Grout can show favorable a report as toal
on one years work 1 shall be happy to congratu.
late him. l ask that the people suspend JudSnltHI
until my report well as that OF the Co1nnliSs-
soners OF Accounts, is in. Mr.. CIRCUITS report dli-
fers from that being made by the Commiss rs
| of Accounts in that the testimony taken ty tne
latter is sworn to. while that turned in oy MT
Grout's assistants is not