New-York tribune., 1907-10-02
PAVING REPAIR DETAILS
HOzcard. IULson and COndit Er-
amined at 4hearn Hearing.

fore Governor Hughes tonight by Daniel B.
Goodsell, assistant chief engineer of the bor-
ough He called a witness for the de-
fence in the matter of the charges brought by
the City Club of New York against Borough
President John Ahearn.
The examination of Assistant Engineer Good
sell was still IN progress when, at 10: 80 D. m
adjournment taken until tomorrow morn
ing. and may not be finished before tomorrow
night.
Mr. Goodseil has been in the Engineers De-
partment Of New York City for twentv-tbree
years having begun a fagman in 1884. and
lie showed minute knowledge of the working of
the department. His examination was con-
Quoted by Martin w. Littleton attorney for
President Ahearn, and went deeply and in great
detail into the technical and financial aspects
of the paving Situation.
George w. TiIsun. chief engineer of the Bor-
ough of Manhattan; Fillmore Condit represent
atlVe of an aspi alt company. and James W.
howard the engineer who testified all day yes
terday, were the other witnesses who testified
'o-uay- Mr.. THlson's testimony consumed sew
eral hours, Governor Hughes taking a promi-
nent part in the examination.
Martin w. Littleton. leading counsel for Pres
ident Ahearn, resumed this morning his cross
examination Of James W. Howard the en-
Elneer who testified all day yesterday and last
evening in support of the charges preferred
against Mr.. Ahearn by the City Club OF New
York
The battle between the lawyer and the wit
ness began instantly this morning. Mr. Little
ton forcing the witness to admit Immediately
that he had approved the specifications which
shut out Trinidad asphalt. and which yester-
day he criticised as giving substantially q
monopoly to the company controlling the Ber-
mudez asphalt. lie said. however, that he
favored as only n temporary expedient
The witness again referred to the pamphlet
which he said last night showed Mr. Littleton
to be counsel for an asphalt company.
Your excellency." said the lawyer TO the
Governor. Il wish this pamphlet could be put in
evidence. so that the witness could get 1t off
his mind and answer my questions instead of
making speeches"
Il don't want the pamphlet" replied the Gov
ernor. unless it is germane to the subject OF
this inquiry. but you are entitled to have your
questions answered. You are not here Mr.. Wit
ness. 10 argue: you are here TO answer the oues-
tions OF counsel"
There was long wrange between counsel
and the witness over almost everv question
asked by the former. the Governor repeatedly
directing the witness 10 answer the questions
This is getting very tiresome" said he
George w. Tillson, present chief engineer OF
fOrmeTlV fba
same office in Brooklyn. was the next witness
The Governor showed great interest in his +es-
timony. and asked many questions. To the Gov
ernor Mr. Tllson said he believed repairs TO
asphalt in very cold weather did more harm
than good; he would stop work at % degrees
above zero. There nothing in the contracts
which would authorize the companies to neglect
repairs, even in winter. should the Borough
President insist it,
Mr., Tnlson.' said the Governor. IF YOU were
put in charge in November of the streets of a
city which were in very bad condition. would
you feel JUSTIFIED in waiting till March before
you did anything about tt?"
NO sir; don't think would" replied the
engineer.
What want TO know from you Mr. TilIson."
said Governor Hughes. "is whether or not n "a
possible to keep the streets in such repair as "a
demanded by the public comfort and safety IL
the contractors are compelled to fulfil their
contracts"
The witness said he thought it was possible
Mr. Tillson fatty contradicted the witness. Mr.
Howard, as to the relative weight of traffic in
First and Fifth avenues. Most of the traffic on
the latter he said, was of rubber tired vehicles
The witness showed that the question of
finances was one OF great Importance in the
matters of street repair.
The difference in traffic between Brooklyn
and Manhattan is remarkable" said the witness
In Brooklyn, there little need of repair
during the first years of a pavement
as the lower East Side in good repair now?"
asked the Governor.
Pretty fair he answered
when you get the streets of Manhattan up
to the standard you expect to have them do
you expect to have trouble in keeping them in
good condition. asked Governor Hughes.
NO sir so far as the and tear witness
responded.
How long will it be before the streets OF
Manhattan will be up to good standard?"
by November l. think"
Have you a competent force of inspectors?"
asked the Governor.
Il think l have
witness told of adding four new assistants and
several inspectors to his force 10 supervise the
work of repair.
Did you find anything in your department
which needed changes except the proper super
vision of the work OF repair"
NO, sir
Under the new system of inspection and su-
nanvision the witness said he expected the fire
burns" caused by bonfires following the pri-
rnaries of September "a would be repaired witr
in two weeks,
Fillmore Condit New York representative Of
a California asphalt company. followed Mr. Till
son. and gave testimony regarding the sources
of asphalt supply and the specifications under
which il is laid in various cities.