New-York tribune., 1907-06-29
DEFENCE OF O'BRIEN.
TO HASTEN THE WORK.
That's Uhy He Gaze Permission to
Lay Watcr Mains by Dan.

Commissioner John OBrien Of the Department of
water Supply. Gas and Electricity made a state
inent Yesterday IL regard to the letter that was
sent TO Borough President Ahearn by the Mer-
chants Association regarding the laying of the
i3gh pressure water mains in Broadway during the
daytime The letter was referred by Mr. Ahearn
to Commissioner of Public Works Thompson. In
MS statement Commissioner OBrien explains the
situation He had a conference yesterday with AIr
Thompson. Chief Engineer Tillson and ". C. Root
representing the contractor who is laying the high
pressure fire mains. in regard TO the letter
M Root said that the work in Broadway be-
tween l4th and 23d streets. would be completed in
& week or ten days the outside. If his men
worked only at night. he said, it would take fully
three times as long TO complete it. Only about
block and a half remains 10 be finished. Com
missioner o Brien afterward said:
J gave the contractor permission 10 work night
and day continuously in Broadway because there
was nc other way in which get the work done
expedtously. The Borough President had re-
fused to grant permit 20 the contractor to store
the eXcavated material the cross streets at
night. and the contractor was unable to take the
dirt away at night because the dumps are closed
and he reported that he was unable to make
rangements with the persons controlling the dumps
10 keep them open after their usual hours.
The Commissioner of Public Works and the
Water Department working together to restore
the pavement RAJ idly possible. TE!s depart
ment has advised Commissioner Thompson Of all
streets which are ready for repavIng and where
paving company TO do the work Commissioner
Thompson has agreed 10 press the paving COM
panes diligently. The contractor confessed that
he in the wrong in storing pipe Canal
street IN advance OF the work but said that he had
Put large force work Canal street and that
tnat question would soon be settled
I satisfied TO bear am criticism attending
my actions in regard To the permit TO work tven-
ty-four hours day on Broadway. for l believe
that the convenience Of the public is better served
in that way than by following a method which
would delay the work two three weeks
As ThaT p~Ta5 HKir1o
authority, l contend that I was fully within my
powers under Paragraph G of the contract. which
says:
This contract and the specifications herein con-
tained and the plans hereafter referred may be
modified and changed from time TO time as NAV
be previously agreed 10 in writing between the
parties hereto, Ia manner not materially affecting
The plans herein or increasing the price be paid.
IN order 10 carry on and complete fully and
perfectly the work herein agreed to De done and
performed "
The Merchants Association received a reply yes
teTday 10 its letter 10 Borough President Ahearn.
II was addressed TO John c. Eames the chairman
of the committee city conditions, and was as
follows:
I beg to acknowledge receipt OF your letter OF
June =. calling attention 70 the fact that the Com
missioner of Water Supply. Gas and Electricity
without legal authority therefor. issued an or
Ger abrogatng the provisions OF the contract for
Inc installation OF the high pressure service
IN the district lying between 23d street Cham t-rs
street, the Bowery and the Hudson River and
specifically complaining Of the violation of Para
graphs a, IS, 19 and 81. and TO say in reply that
the matter has been referred TO the chief engineer
OF highways. with instructions 10 make an irnme-
Ola te investigation and report promptly 10 me-"
The committee insurance OF the association
Yesterday followed up the letter by the COM
mit1ee on city conditions on Thursday with letter
70 Mayor Mcclellan protesting against the removal
Of the engineers IN charge of the high pressure
service.