New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-29
SHIFT BLAME FOR DELAY.
VAR IN ELM-ST PAYING.
Contractors and Highscays Officials
GiUe Small Hope.

There seems to be a general desire on the
part OF all concerned in the paving of Eln-st
to shift the responsibility for the existing condi-
ton of me street onto some one else's shoulders
Although a forty-eight hour notice was issued
two weeks ago to the Fitzgerald company,
which has the contract, to go ahead with the
work or forfeit the contract. there seems to be
little advance in the work.
MIR. Fitzgerald. when seen yesterday. said
his workmen have been hindered repeatedly
by the Degnon company, which every few days
comes in and tears UP what his men have put
down. He showed to the Tribune reporter two
places on che west side of the street where the
DegnOn company last week had torn up the
curbins in order to repair some faulty work
He also showed place the east side of the
street where water gauge. around which the
Degnon company supposed to build pro-
lection. exposed. and he said it was I'M
possible for his men to pave over 1t.
George r Olney. chief engineer of the De-
partrnert of Highways. said two weeks ago that
the whole of Elm-st. had been turned over to
the city by the Degnon company. which had no
longer right to work in the street. except at
one place near the New-York Life Building
Yesterday he said he was not whether the
street had been formally turned over TO the
city but that he believed it had been. He said
II II had IL was the business of the Fitzgerald
company to keep the Degnon company out of
the street. and not the business of the city.
THE Fitzgerald company says 1t is powerless
to keep the DegnOn company OUT was sus-
gested
II don't care d-n what the Fitzgerald
company says. 1t is it's business to keep other
companies from interfering with its work. and
not ours" he said.
Borough President Ahearn. who said two
weeks ago that the city would not permit inter-
ference with the work of the paving company.
said yesterday that it is the business of the Fiz-
gerald company 10 keep the Degnon company
from interfering with it's work Of paving the
street. When asked whether the street had been
turned over TO the city. he said that MIR. Olney
was better informed on that point. The question
now is who does know whether the street has
been turned TO the city.
Mr. Fitzgerald said yesterday that If his men
were not interfered with they could finish the
entire paving in six weeks, together with the
grading of Leonard-st., but he expressed the
cheerful opinion that il the DegnOn company
was laid the Christmas SHOWS would fall on an
unpaved street. one of the assistant engineers
Of the Department of Highways was standing
near and'alSO asserted that the Fitzgerald COM
pauy hindere1 by the Degncn company
The street below Canal-st. presents a splendid
opportunity To a person wishing to get an idea
Of the beauties OF real mountain pass Stun
bling along the ridge made by the Metropolitan
railroad tracks, he could look down on either
side and see deem Chasns. from the bottom OF
The nature loving person could go further down
the pass until. stopped by almost fathOmless
chasr at Worth-st he must make his way
along a sandy waste to Centre-st-