The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-08
AQUEDUC7 ENGINEER QUITS.
NR. HILL SAYS MS health rs
NOT EQUAL TO THE JOB.
Said 10 Wish 10 Keep Out OF "Poiitics"
Testimony, Not Involving Him.
About Decentralization Of Nate
rails and Poor Construction GYered.

rials and Poor Construction offered
Chief Engineer William r. Hill of the
Aure lct Commission resigned yesterday.
In his letter, which was read at meeting
of the board, but upon which action was
deferred, Mr. Hill said
The leave of absence which you recently
granted me on account Of my debility has
not | regret to say, given me back tne
strength that would enable me to resume
the duties of my Office and my physician
forbida my undertaking any arduous work
now. Realizing that this is imperative and
to avoid embarrassing you with the incer-
tainty as to when ! could return | deem II
best to resign the position OF chief engineer
Mr.. Hill was appointed chief engineer
on Jan /, 1900. He resigned as chief
engineer of the Syracuse Water Works
to come to New York. In April of last year
he was taken ill and although he returned
to his post after about two months he was
obliged to give up work again early last
spring because of heart trouble. His leave
of absence expired yesterday Mr. Hill
is also suffering from pulmonary, com,
plant and it is understood that ne Will
shortly go to Denver, Col, where he Will
become an advisory engineer in the water
supply department of that city.
Gossip Was heard in the Guy Hall yester-
day 10 the effect that Mr.. Hills resignation
had been fastened because of the idea
he held that there was more motive than
appeared on the surface for the fight the
Merchants Association is making against
the Aqueduct Commission. When the late
Alphonsc Fteley retired as chief engineer
Alfred Craven was the assistant chief,
The commission went over his head to
appoint Mr.. Hill. Mr. Craven, who is
now out, has given help to the Merchants
Association in the Investigations that body
has been making of the methods of the
commission.
One ofthe officials Of the Aqueduct Commits
sion said yesterdaytha al the Engineers Club
on Monday night Mr.. Hill was heard to say
that rather than have anything to do with
the trouble between the association and
the commission, which he ascribed 10
politics, he intended TO resign,
At the close of yesterday investigation
into the charges of criminal NJ glect OF
duty against Aqueduct Commissioners Ten
Eyck. Windolph and Ryan, in the District
Attorneys office, Mr. jerome instructed
Assistant District Attorney Train not TO
disclose anything of the days testimony.
Frederick d. Berard, representing the
complainant, the Merchants Association,
was present throughout the day and said
at the close:
"The witnesses testified TO the over-cer-
tification of materials delivered on the
grounds for Use and to payments for exca-
waiting not done. Estimates for the proper
amounts, which were turned in by inspec-
tors, were afterward changed by the divs-
ion engineer, Daniel Ullrich, who over
certified for mate rals and excavating.'
The witnesses examined yesterday were
Inspectors G.. :. Mcpherson G. II. Babcock,
Benjamin L. Blauvelt, a leveler in the
division engineers office; Edward Veg
man, division engineer for two months fol-
lowing the removal of Engineer Alfred
Craven and preceding the incumbency OF
Ullrich; Edward =. North, an expert engineer
who testified that the walls Of the Jerome
Park reservoir wouldn't hold water; Thomas
j Fleming superintendent OF dam construc-
ton. and Herbert {. Alden, an assistant
engineer in charge of the work upon the
Jerome Park reservoir. District Attorney
Jerome himself said
water percolated through the wall from
the outside so fast that it couldn't be stop
ped by mortar Tarred rope was Jammed
into the holes and left there and the wall
built around II.
Mr. Train was asked If he expected any
arrests 10 result from the investigation.
Here is a criminal proceeding he re-
Piled You can always have arrests from
criminal proceeding, This testimony VIII
be read hv Justice Mayer, who will decide
whether the charges are sufficiently sus-
tanned to Issue warrants"
IF he does not issue warrants, you can
take the matter before the Grand jury
If you believe the charges proved, can't
you?" Mr.. Train was asked
THE District Attorney can always do
that" he answered He said that he ex-
peced to examine about twenty more wit
nesses before the inquiry closes, among
them the accused commissioner whom,
he said, he would subpoena.