New-York tribune., 1903-03-29
MORE STURGLS CHARGES.
Grout Is Preparing Them-Purroy
Defends Fire Commissioner.

Controller Grout is preparing fresh charges
against Fire Commissioner Sturgis. and, accord
ing to hints thrown out by an assistant Of the
Controller Mr.. Sturgis is going to have q hard
time of it for the next few weeks.
The feeling between the Controller and the
Fire Commissioner is anything but cordial. The
Fire Commissioner felt hurt because the Con-
trolIer. without giving him a chance to explain
any OF the features of the Brooklyn fire house
repairs bidding before he made the matter
public put him in a bad light.
The assertion by the friends Of Fire Com
missioner Sturgis that the Controller, in making
out e case against Mr. Sturgis. has had the
active and personal assistance OF William L.
Marks, John J. ScannelIs partner, who is under
indictment with Scannel for conspiracy against
the city has made the Controller angry. and It
looks now as if the Mayors kindly services will
be required to smooth things over.
The Mayor yesterday issued statement
which is interpreted as supporting Commissioner
Sturgis. He said:
/ have sent the letter OF Commissioner Sturgis
TO the Controller fer such further co nnent as ne
may think called for, and until ! hear from him
shall do nothing. In the mean while, as bearing
the merits of the case, as between the old in
depreciation of the law and the new. as popularity
understood, 1 think the following extract from q
:etter 1 have received from ex-Fire Commissioner
Purroy Will interest the public as il has interested
me, for Mr Purroy speaks with the authority OF
who is thoroughly familiar with the needs OF
Fire Department, and who has demonstrated
hiS capacity TO administer IL Win OeSre0 Oh
efficiency:
Speaking entirely from memory. think that it
Section & of Constellation act which con-
ferred upon certain departments the right to do
certain work, not exceeding value 81 go, without
public advertising. Now. there is, in my opinion,
department of the city government to which the
honest Snc discreet exercise of this right is so
essential It is the Fire Department The
peculiar technical and critical service Of that de-
p3rtment is such that emergencies frequently arise
IN which the best interests OF the city demand that
rot moments time be lost In hurrytag through
much needed repairs. and in which 1t is absolutely
9Iecessary that certain peculiar engine house work
be done separately by specially skilled workmen.
47nInnently dangerous the safety of important
localities II engine companies were thrown out OF
service for months while bids were being adver-
tieed, accordance with the SLOW methods Of pub
lie lettings, and while the engine houses were COM
pietely surrendered for months to general con-
tractor.
Corporation Counsel RiveS yesterday said that he
had not expressed definite opinion in December
regarding the awarding OF contracts.
What said was" continued MI. Rives, that
It was not an easy matter &c say beforehand what
was the meaning the statute which provides that
there must be public letting whenever any work is
necessary TO be done to complete or perfect par
ticular Job added that the best practical test
was probably the test of locality. have not been
informed as to the particular facts IN each Of the
ten cases where the work upon one house exceeds
81 600 and until learn what the facts are confess
] unable to come to any conclusion as 10
whether Mr.. sturgis has violated the act or not