New-York tribune., 1907-10-03
GOODSELL ON STAND
Engineer Testifes Al Day at
4he0rn Hearing.

Albany, Oct 2-The fire burn question con-
sumed the greater part of the time to-day at the
hearing of the charges against Borough PRESIDENT
Ahearn of Manhattan. and became decidedly a
centre of interest This was due TO the fact that
while injuries to asphalt pavements caused by fire
have to be repaired by the company guaranteeing
the maintenance of the pavement they are paid for
outside the contract and occasion a large extra
expense to the city. The questions of Spencer &
Strong the City Clubs lawyers appeared to be
designed 10 show that many defects in pavements
which were reported and paid for as fire burns"
were of other origin and should have been repaired
without extra cost to the city under the mainten-
ance contracts
day with one interval when George B. Davis jr.,
now auditor Of the College of the City of New
York who was auditor 10 the Borough President
beginning with the term of Jacob A. Cantor
Ahearn's predecessor. was questioned minutely
about financial methods and limitations in connec-
ton especially with paving in New York City and
particularly in Manhattan Borough.
Mr. Goodsen told Governor Hughes that 5000
yards Of pavement had 10 be replaced by reason
of the bonfres following the election of last No
vember against 25 600 yards in 1903 and upward OF
10000 yards the year before.
I'm view OF the immense cost to the city Of these
fires" broke in Governor Hughes has the atten-
ton of any public Official department been called
70 this destruction with view TO stopping f.?
Whose business is II To stop these fires"
The police" replied the witness.
rs there an ordinance on the subject
Yes, sir; the ordinance forbids fires in the
streets
Did the Borough President ask the police 10 do
their duty in this matter?' the Governor demanded
Yes, SIR he did. time and time again"
Martin W. Litteton. OF Ahearn's counsel. here
interposed:
Twenty times in the last three years your ex-
cellency, such appeals were made by the Borough
President; sometimes by telephone. more often by
letter.
Il want TO those letters" said the Governor
Mr.. httleton said they would produce them later.
Mr. Goodsell said there ass "hreburns' IN
East Sd street. Governor Hughes expressed sur
prise at the number. and in reply 10 his question
the witness figured the length OF the about
$500 feet
"A fire on an average Of every eight or ten feet?'
The witress thought It would be about that
Il should class that in the nature of a con-
hagra+' m" said the Governor.
The itness said he examined personally about
one tn Of the alleged fire burns
DO you mean to say, said the Governor with
emphasis. that you could identify in March burns
made in November. and that you swore 10 eighteen
thousand OF them after examining only three
thousand"
The witness said he accepted and certified to the
inspectors reports OF eighteen thousand on the
basis of his inspection of perhaps three
thousand.
To Mr. Spencer. who was questioning the witness
the Governor said: IT don't believe you need pur-
the inquiry to this witnesses personal knowl-
edge Of these holes. He may have had a moral
confidence in the accuracy of his inspectors re-
ports; he cannot he expected to identity each Of
eighteen thousand holes. having inspected at most
only sixth Of them
Goodsel was still on the stand when the nfter
noon session closed.
Mr.. Goodse still under cross-examination
by the City Clubs attorney when adjournment was
taken tonight until 1O:3o a. M tomorrow.