New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-15
AHEARN MUST TESTIFY.
INQUIRY SCOPE WIDER.
Payments r. re gtopped-WaIker
Tells Ab0ut Bank account.

For the purpose of getting a decision from
the higher courts which may be used a
precedent in the future. Martin w. Lttleton.
counsel for Borough President Ahearn in the
investigation of the latter's office being
made by the Commissioners Of Accounts. will
enter an appeal from the decision of Justice
OGorman. of the Supreme Court. yesterday
granting the request of the Corporation Counsel
for order for the Imprisonment of Borough
President Ahearn and some of his subordinates
should they continue their refusal to testify in
the investigation.
Further testimony regarding the alleged con-
nection OF the firm of Walker Brothers. COM
posed of the sons of the Superintendent Of Pub
lie Buildings. with some of those who did repair
work on the orders Of that bureau was brought
out at the session of the investigation yester-
day morning. At noon the investigation was
adjourned until this morning.
The Commissioners Of Accounts recommended
TO the Controller that all payments 10 Thomas
A Tydings, carpenter, and John Egan, lumber
dealer, be held up until investigation can be
made Of work done and materials furnished by
them for the city.
On the ground that the quality OF the wood
blocks being used in repaving State street is
not up TO the specifications, the Commissioners
Of Accounts have recommended that all pay
raents to the United States Wood Preserving
Company he held up until the specifications
have been complied with in every particular
Superintendent Walker of the Bureau of Pub
lie Buildings and Offices by way of explaining
how drafts received by James McCleery.
painter for work done for the city CORE
sponded in some instances with deposits made to
the account Of William H. Walker. made the
following statement:
/ have had no financial transactions with NJ.
McCleery. did / have any with any other
contractor doing business with the Bureau OF
Public Buildings and Offices. have been en-
gagged for thirty years In the building bust
ness in all its branches, and consequently be-
came acquainted with &. number of competent
mechanics. and since my assumption Of the du
ties of Superintendent of Public Buildings and
Offices have awaited myself Of their services
account Of their well known ability in their
particular trades. but unfortunately these men
Were not wealthy nor men OF means ana had no
bank accounts or any financial standing 10 speak
of. / wished 10 use them for their ability. and
they were compelled to get along as best they
could 10y borrowing money from their friends to
carry the work given TO them.
Among the men who furnished accommoda-
tions by lending money We're James McCleery,
who has been in the painting business for over
twenty years and who could afford TO make
these loans without embarrassment TO himself
and my son. who was engaged IN the soap bust
ness and who Is member Of a lumber firm
composed Of all of my
NV son went into the soap and sponge bust
with the firm OF Boyce & Lynch. The latter
firm paid rent to him at No. 40 Christopher
street He was in the habit of cashing checks
for them and accepting their checks in payment
of moneys borrowed at various times. and my
sons made deposits Of these checks they
received, as they did with all other checks or
moneys from any source, well knowing that
there was nothing in these business transactions
that should be concealed
Justice o'Gornan in his decision granting the
rr7p for he iT,arl-5 of Trro, oh
dent Ahearn. George F. Scannell. superintendent
Of highways: William H. Walker. superintendent
OF the bureau Of public buildings and Offices, and
George B. Olney. chief engineer of the bureau
OF highways. granted five days to the men in
which 10 purge themselves of contempt
at the opening of Yesterdays session Of the
investigation Of the Borough Presidents office
Marvin scudder, expert accountant, testified that
the total amount of deposits in the Greenwich
Bank in the name OF William H. Walker dur
ing the time that Boyce and Lynch and Thomas
A Tydings were receiving money from the city
amounted 10 $50. ia 80. exclusive of monthly
deposits Of SAG 66 Ghe amount Of Walkers sal
ary)- The city payments to Boyce and Lynch
and Tydings for the same period. January. 1905
10 April. 1907, amounted 70 S29965 p.
W D Louden, another accountant, testified
&c the amount OF lumber supplied to the city by
John Egan, a lumber dealer from whom Ty-
zsorl for the city. 1t seems that Tydings
never furnished itemized bill to the city An
ANALYSIS of Egans books showed that he fur
nished no lumber to Tydings between May, 1906.
and January. 1907.
Egan has refused TO testify on the ground
that the commiss ioners have not the power to
compe him TO do SO
II wss late yesterday afternoon when the fol-
lowing letter was sent 10 Controller Metz by
the Commissioners Of Accounts:
The evidence appears to show that the con-
tractor Thomas A. Tydings, has either charged
the city for materials the property of the city
OF New York. or has failed 10 use materials
charged for in his bills.
The evidence also tends TO show that there
may have been ana probably collision be-
tween the said Thomas a. Tydirgs and one John
Egan. Of No. 600 West oath street. lumber
dealer who also receives orders for lumber
from the Bureau Of Public Buildings and Of
fees.
i is not clear to us whether the lumber which
Mr.. Egan has charged for in his various bills
10 the city has been delivered To the city 10