The sun., 1903-07-02
JEROME AT AQUEDUCT BOARD.
BURR COMMISSION SUBPGNAED
FOR TO-DAY.
To Bc Asked why They Have Not Reported
on CrOtOn Dam and jerome Park
RcserS Olr--Whcthcr the Conditions DIS
covered Warrant the Removal OF the
AQueduct Commissioners ls the Point.

An investigation of the complaint against
Aqueduct Commissioners William II. Ten
Eyck, John j. Ryan and John }. Windolph,
preferred by George L. Duval, chairman
OF the Merchants Association committee
to investigate tho work done upon the
Croton Dam and the Jerome Park Reservoir.
will begin this morning before Justice
Mayer. The Commissioners are accused
OF continuously and openly neglecting
the duties of their office" in violation Of
Chapter 400 Of the laws Of 1883, which Gre
ated the commission to supply the city
with water. Subpoenas were sent out yes
terday TO be served upon a number OF civil
engineers, including the so-called Burr
Commission appointed about year ago
by Mayor Low to determine additional
sources of water supply other than the
Croton River and to report upon the con-
dition OF the work on tho Croton Dam and
the Jerome Park Reservoir.
This commission, which has thus far
cost the city $4,000, is composed of Prof
William H. Burr Of the civil engineering
department Of Columbia University, Ru-
dolph Hernig and John P. Freeman. 1t
has not reported to the Mayor concerning
the condition Of the work done on the
dam and the RET ervoir. The Commits
sioners will be asked to-day to state why
they have not reported and what con-
clusions they have reached as to the work
subpoena has also been issued for Engineer
Alfred Craven.
Messrs. Ten Eyck, Ryan and Windolph
were appointed by Mayor Van Wyck early
in 1898. William E. Curtis, the other Com
missioner, was appointed last December
by Mayor Low. The Msyor and Comp
troller Grout are ex-officio members Of the
Aqueduct Commission. Most OF the
charges of the Merchants Association have
been made public. Several specifications
have not, however, and these were turned
over to the District Attorney after Mayor
Low had read them and refused 20 act
because he has no power 20 remove the
Commissioners. That power is vested in
the Governor. Assistant District Attorney
Arthur E. Train is in charge of the case.
A person who was familiar with tho
charges when they we're presented TO the
District Attorney, but who does not know
whether Mr.. Jerome has gathered any ad-
ditional evidence said last night that there
were several instances cited where Engineer
W. X Hill. who succeeded Chief Engineer
Fteley, had written curt notes to the Com
mlssioners to the effect that certain changes
should be made, which changes the Com
rissioners had forthwith authorized with
out investigation. THE SUNS informant
said that in building gatehnuse the city's
own property had been iesoldto the city,
The plan for the gatehouse contemplated
hSinIy hilll n hn xr,k.s N
no excavating would be necessary BBy y6iid
the removal of a small portion Of the rock
to make room for pipes. This was in ac-
oordance with the plans OF Engineer Fteley,
who considered that no better foundation
than the solid, living rock could be had
Under Mr.. Hill, however, this solid rock was
excavated to depth Of six and half feet
at cost of 81 cents cubic yard, lifted out
by derrick and dumped outside of the ex-
cavation, In all about 4,6l4 cubic yards Of
rock was removed, said THE Suns in
formant and after being removed was
crushed, converted into rubble masonry
and used for refilling the very excavation
from which 1t had been removed. 1t cost
the city $3.Si a cubic yard to replace it,
making cost TO the city of something like
SCI 500, So.
This is one of the specifications in the
complaint turned in to Mr.. jerome, said
THE Suns informant, who also said that
Vie hqueuucI SolHiiihssloneIs are dragging
along the work on the jerome Park Res
ervoir and the Croton Dam until the Burr
Commission reports upon additional sources
of water supply. This, he said, the city
will need to utilize at once and II the present
commission is still in office it will be in a
position 20 perpetuate itself under the laws
Of 1893. THE SUMS informant also said
that he is convinced that the Burr Commits
sion would have to make such a report
concerning the condition of affairs at the
Croton Dam and the jerome Park Res
ervoir that the Mayor would have to ask
the Governor to remove at least some of
his fellow Commissioners.
Mr.. jerome refused TO make any state
ment yesterday concerning these reports
or Of his plans concerning the Aqueduct
Commissioners.