New-York tribune., 1907-06-06
BOYHAN SHUNS SEW ERS
BREADS CONTAMINAIION.
Superintendent LeaUe
Nasty Subject to SubOrdinates.

William ] Royhan Superintendent OF Sewers in
Borough President Ahearn's Office, was on the
stand in the Ahearn investigation yesterday He
demonstrated beyond the shadow of a doubt that
when IT came to knowing nothing about the prac-
tlcal operation of his staff he was entitled 10 carry
the blue and gold banner. His testimony was 50
ingenious that the Commissioners of Accounts
a smile half the time.
Mr.. Boyhan didn't know anything about the rami-
ficatlons his Office and admitted II. He was ap-
pointed to the place three months ago. and intl-
mated that that fact a Justification for his
ignorance Mr.. Boyhan Deputy City Clerk
until he was transferred recently on Charles F.
Murphy's order to the sewer bureau.
Asked 10 describe the duties of the varions heads
OF departments under him, Nh Boyhan replied;
Il can't tell you even the names of half the men
in the Office. l have only been in the office a few
months"
He said that he had no authority the con-
struction OF new sewers and that the sewers were
not systematically inspected He said that he had
to rely his subordinates TO see that the work 1f
the bureau properly done.
Il would know" he added. whether sewer
needed Broadway or not"
Then the department runs Itself. does it?" asked
Commissioner Mitchell
mo, II long before 1 came into II.
replied Mr.. Boyhan
Mr.. Boyhan said that since he had been in Office
he had not turned down any requIsition for repair
work and that the only instructions he had issued
since assuming office TO that the work
under way being properly done.
Mr. Boyhan could not be pinned down to an ex-
plicit explanation OF just what his duties were
He said he had made appointments or removals
since his advent into office The employment OF
laborers in his department clerks he justified on
the ground that II cheaper for the city.
After recess Boyhan looked over several requisi-
tons for work by the Hickey Contracting Com
pany. and asked II he had approved them.
lie said he had but had never taken personal cog
nizanCe Of the work done under the contracts.
''W0uld be Mitchell
Ito learn that the Hickey Contracting Company
did $3sO 90 worth of work IN 1906 without public
lettng?'
NO, would not be surprised at anything"
Because 1 kind Of calIoused."
Mr.. Boyhan said he knew nothing about the
Hickey Contracting Company. He approved the
those under him who were supposed know about
such things lie never consulted with tho Borough
President the subject OF contracts.
Have you any criticism 70 make OF your bu-
None" answered superintendcnt Boyhan
Mitchel MMiS !, u"y 10 ''''" d sewer ''S'" asked MI
'Do you know as much about other things as you
do about sewer cleaning" demanded Commissioner
That is hardly fair question" rejoined super
Asked what he dId during the day. Mr Boyhan
said he wrote letters and kept the men in order.
t, Do o yoG hmIW H',It SIh IN your once named
NO; don't know the names OF all the In
my Office"
Mr. Boyhan," said Commissioner Mitchell I'VE
viii excuse you now, but We may need YOU later
"All right" replied Mr.. Boyhan, I'm tell YOU all
! know. When you want me / viii be the Job"
The hearing was then adjourned until Friday
morning.
During the investigation. conducted by the Dis
trct Attorneys office. Assistant District Attorney
Smyth found It necessary To have the books OF
the Hickey Contracting Company. County INtec-
tives were sent out to the offices OF the company.
in the Park Row Building; Timpson Place and
l49th street. The Bronx and to the stable OF Mn.
company, ut No 260 West 51st street. Finally Sea-
retary Kenny was found in the offices of his at
torneys. Augustine & Hopping No 26t Broad
way lie then went 10 the District Attorneys Office
with his lawyers and told Mr. Smythe that ne
would produce all the books OF the company which
required