New-York tribune., 1907-10-24
AHEARN ON THE STAND.
Tells GOUernOr That Streets Got
41cGy from Him.

Albany, Oct 23.-Fresident John T. Ahearn
u the Borough of Manhattan took the stand in
person to-day before Governor Hughes. first in
direct examination by his own counsel Martin
" Litteton, and then in a searching cross
examination by Nelson :. Spencer, of counsel
for the City Club. the organization which pre-
forred the charges which President Ahearn is
now answering.
President Ahearn in rather dramatic dec
iarstIon to Governor Hughes acknowledged that
last fall and winter the streets Of New York
City got away from my department" and.
personal investigation satisfying him that his
bureau heads were responsible for the condi-
tions, he demanded the designations Of those
concerned.
Governor Hughes evinced the keenest interest
in Mr.. Ahearn's testimony. scarcely taking his
eyes from the accused presidents face all tho
time he was testtfying- He asked comparatively
few questions. and those not on the main points
concerning which Mr.. Spencer inquirinS.
Mr.. Ahearn admitted that il public criu-
,ism and principally the testimony given be-
fore the commissioner OF accounts, whose
report these proceedings are based, that awak-
ened him 20 bad conditions in his department,
He admitted that he personally knew little
nothing about the details of any department.
trusting largely 10 the men whom he had ap
pointed and accepting their reports and recon-
Dendatlons. Most of his appointees, it appeared.
we're Tammany district leaders, and most were
without previous experience in the technical
work of which they TO have charge.
L wouldn't have appointed any of these men,
Ae said, IF I hadn't been convinced of their ft
ness for their POSITIONS, and later he said, with
vehemence:- i appointed these men in 1904
and I went before the people again in 1905 and
] reelected.
Asked by Mr.. Spencer about his refusal by
sioners of Accounts, Mr.. Ahearn said:
knowing that these two men were direct
appointees of the Mayor of New York TO do his
bidding, and knowing his personsal and official
feeling against me. as reelected official of the
city of New York and by advice Of counsel re
fused TO answer"
Wen take that up later" said Mr.. Spencer.
srimly.
At another time he alluded to the strained
lations between himself ana Mayor Mcclellan.
This was when Mr. LittIeton asking him
about the purchases of supplies and the alleged
violations Of the charter requirement of public
contracts for all purchases and orders above
$1,000 said he:
Governor, I q friend Of old John Scan
nell the Fire Commissioner who was indicted
in connection with the purchase of supplies. I
was the more careful because I remembered
Scaunel. In 1904 and 1865, when l was
speaking terms with the Mayor Of New York.
repeatedly recommended the amendment Of the
charter so as to provide for commissioners to
purchase all the supplies for the city
Mr. Ahearn said that last fall when he found
many streets open and requiring resurfacing,
within the jurisdiction Of the Department OF
Water Supply, Gas and Electricity he called
At the Mayors Office TO take UP the matter with
him, that an audience denied him and that
hi
self to his own jurisdiction.
why did you make these removals Of bureau
heads at this particular time?" demanded Mr..
Spencer.
For the good Of the service" retorted the
Borough President
why didn't you do It before this investiga-
ton by the Commissioners of Accounts?"
1t was that investigation which showed me
the facts"