New-York tribune., 1907-10-05
AHEARN TO TAKE STAND
VIII Probably Be Heard after
Other Testimony Is In.

Albany, Oct. 4.-President John F. Ahearn OF
Manhattan Borough will take the stand in person
in the hearing before Governor Hughes on the
charges preferred by the City Club of New York
against the Borough President. This stated
positively tonight by Martin w. Ldttleton, for
mer President of Brooklyn Borough. his counsel
and Professor Charles A. Collin But it is their
view and that of Governor Hughes. expressed to
them to-day, that it should be after the other testi
mony is complete.
At the morning session witnesses for the City
Club testified with reference to the charge that Mr.
Aheam wasted public moneys. permitted extrava-
gances~in the purchase of supplies and failed to
give proper attention to either the quality or prices
of the materials furnished.
officers of the District Attorneys office testified
to seizure of papers In the Office of the Metro
pOltan Equipment and Supply Company. These
papers said by the complanants to be the orig
/ inal bills against the Metropolitan Equipment and
Supply Company for supplies purchased at the
best obtanable prices and then resold to city de-
partments. including those under the Jurisdiction
Of Borough President Ahearn, at prices greatly in
creased. Counsel for Mr.. Ahearn admitted the
identity of the papers having been found in the
office of Max a. Cramer, who said he was the
proprietor of the Metropolitan Equipment and Sup
ply Company.
By agreement of counsel the Governor accepted
in evidence typical examples OF these papers. They
were described including the order the sup
ply company. signed in many cases by President
Ahearh the bill showing the price paid by the sup
ply company in the market. and materially in
creased price charged the city. and the certif-
Gates showing that the city paid the larger price.
In some cases it is alleged the increase was more
than 80 per cent. Many of the envelopes contain
! ing these papers bore the printed card
/ ner After five days return to TaInmany Hail.
Mr. Litteton pointed out that the papers did not
/ include the original acquisitions OF the depart
! ments. which Borough President Ahearn approved
/ and on the basis Of which the order on the sup
ply company issued.
The most interesting episode of the afternoon oc-
/ c"~'sd when 1t was discovered that Marvyn Scud-
/ der. a witness against Mr. Ahearn had In his pos
! session several original papers belonging to the
sewer department of the Borough Presidents office
Inc incident caused distinct sensation. and Mr..
ScUdder did net attempt to conceal his embsrrass-
/ lne5t. protesting earnestly that he had retained
/ them inadvertently and did not know until that
moment that he had them.
'All the records must remain here except those
needed for immediate usa" said the Governor.
'Th 'se things must be kept here in my custody. so
that they may be returned to tho proper depart
ment.
/ Mr.. Scudder was accountant for the Commission
! ers of Accounts during the investigation Of the
/ Borough Presidents department which tho pres
! ent proceedings are principally based. He was
/ cross-examined about his reports Of plumbers and
/ corporation street openings not restored and ad-
mitted that he had not made personal inspection.
/ but took his figures from the Borough Presidents
records. 1t appeared from letter of eX-Chef En-
Eineer Olney that many Of these openings were re-
stored by the asphalt companies without notifca-
/ toin TO the highway department. Copies of pay
rolls were being introduced TO show that who
were being paid of the plumbers deposit fund
were not working restoration OF pavements
/ over plumbers openings. when Mr.. Littleton ad-
mitted that such the case, calling attention to
the testimony received yesterday that this had
been the custom for twenty-five years.
Horace Looms. chief engineer of the sewer de
/ partment. was recalled and questioned about the
work In tho sewer department orders and without
competitive bidding He said 1t took about six
weeks to an advertised piece OF work in o.
GRAFTON. IIc was asked II many Jobs had not been
authorized on orders which could have been done
/ by advertised contract
/ Is a question of whether man is willing to take
/ the risk OF damage to property and the certainty
Of suits against the city. In such cases the city
has to prove that It has not been negligent"
/ The hearing will be adjourned tomorrow after
noon until Monday OF the week after next oc-
/ tobcr i. the recess being made necessary by the
/ Governors trip next week to jamestown for the
Observance Of New York Day at the exposition
The following two weeks. with the exception OF
! october 10. when the Governor has an engagement
/ IN New York City will he devoted 10 tho hearing
| so far as may be necessary The end OF the IN
/ qulry is not yet in sight
Nelson S Spencer. FOR the City Club, tonight put
IN evidence a large bundle Of vouchers with the re-
mark There Is also schedule of these. TO be
marked Violations Of Section 4l9 Of the charter.
/ I'D ike Il better If you'd marked that alleged
! violations" interiected Mr. IAttleton.
That IS only fair" said Governor Hughes make
II claimed or alleged Violations
Mr. Spencer assented 10 the amendment The
violations alleged are that Borough President
Ahearn permitted purchases OF supplies exceeding
| 81 900 without competitive bidding.