New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-16
MURPHY HEADS FALL. |
AHEARN SWINGS AXE. |
AHEARN
Dalton and Walker Remoued- Chief
Engineer Olney Resigns.

LHSWtCI ottty hCS1 ICS'
Borough President John F. Ahearn removed
from Office late yesterday afternoon William
Dalton. Commissioner Of Public Works; Will
lam H. Walker. Superintendent OF Public Build
ings and Offices and accepted the resignation
OF George r. Oney, chief engineer Of the Bu-
reau of Highways, under George +. SCannel,
the Tammany district leader, who is Superin-
tendent of Highways Mr. Ahearn says that
he Will not stop at this if efficient and proper
administration of the public service requires
him to go further.
The removal of these officials is the direct re
suit OF the fight begun last year by the bureau
Of city betterment of the Citizens Union. on
November q the Citizens Union made public
a long report charging the administration Of
the borough government with riotous eXtrava-
gance and criticising Dalton and Walker for
inefic!ency. Borough President Ahearn indig
nantly denied the charges of the Union and
requested Mayor Mcclellan to order the Com
nlissioners OF Accounts to give the Borough
Presidents office a searching investigation. The
Mayor complied with his request. He directed
Corporation Counsel Ellison to supervise IT, Mr.
Ellison appointed John Purroy Mitchell a spe-
cial counsel and Marvyn Scudder. of the
accountants who assisted Governor Hughes in
the insurance investigation Later Mr.. Mitchell
was made a commissioner of accounts.
The investigation began two weeks ago. So
fully the charges of the Citizens Union
substantiated that Borough President Ahearn
made general visit this week to various parts
Of the city. inspecting the pavements and not
ing the loose administration OF his subordinates.
AHEARN MAY USE AXE AGAIN.
After consulting with Martin w. Littleton, his
counsel, Mr.. Ahearn last night made the fol-
lowing statement:
I have found II necessary 10 remove the Com
missioner OF Public Works. William Dalton.
The Superintendent Of Public Buildings and
Offices. William H Walker, was requested 70
resign. This he declined to do. and l Will
therefore remove him from this place.
I very much regret that ii has become neCes-
eary to do So but I shall not stop at this If tho
efficient and proper administration of the bor-
ough government requires that ! go further. I
have insisted from the first that | would cut
cut. root and branch, any wrOngdoing or in
efficiency brought TO my attention The many
duties imposed the head Of the borough gov
ernment apart from his bureaus. make IT more
difficult than 1t is supposed to keep in close
. touch with them and their detailed manage
ment
That I have challenged the power OF the
Commissioners OF Accounts 10 organize them
selves into a court to conduct "a judicial investi-
CATION need not, I have pointed out several
times, be taken evidence of any desire on my
part TO keep back the facts, nor as evidence or
any disposition on my part not 10 avail myself
Of all information which they may obtain l
think those who know me best viii not doubt
he
Although l did and do now chaAenSe thelr
power throughout the investigation, | have
turned over 20 them all books acords and
papers asked for by them. / may add that my
ofFicIal action in these removals, or any further
action taken by me in making appointments,
does not and Will not proceed IN any sense from
a purpose to help or hurt any faction in politics.
George r. Olney, chief engineer OF the Bu-
reau OF Highways, has rendered his resignation
10 me, and expressed himself as being unwlinS
to have me subjected TO criticism because OF
any neglect which may be charged against him.
I have accepted his resignation. to take erect
on June /. owing 10 the fact that VIII heeu
him an consultation on important matters under
his charge
Borough President Ahearn said last night that
he was not ready to announce the names OF the
men who will take the places made vacant by
the removal Of Dalton and Walker
DALTON. ENGINEERING EXPERT,
coronIete sketch of BILLY Dalton. Tam
many leader Of the 9th District, just removed
NV Mr. Abearn. was furnished by himself before
the Mazet committee on September II. 1899.
Here II Is:
I am the Commissioner of Water supply
when was appointed to this particular office
7 was In the wholesale butcher business MY
pIace OF business No. 6Ol west 39th street
and Nos g. , and I Washington Market iiao
that business and the carpenter business Tor
some thirteen years, ! believe. That Is had
a partner connected with the business up 70 the
sunplIl / did not actively participate in the
business "a
I was Commissioner Of Excise. president or
the board and Deputy Commissioners OF Street
Cleaning and acting commissioner at times L
have held no other public position. My time mas
been altogether given to these public onlces,
There have been intervals when | held no PUBIC
posjtion from February ~ 1890. up TO, thlnk'
January . 1895 ] am also district leadeI IN
Tammanv Hail / have been district leader
going ON ten years ten years / think. this cleo
ton The duties OF that position are somewhat
numerous II takes some time to perform the
dufies OF that position of district leader
7 cannot perforIn both sets of duties with ease.
7 cannot perform my duties TO the association
and attend TO the duties of the water commas
sion at the same time.
Question 0)y counseD-Mr. Dalton did you go
into vour office possessed of any special acquire
ment Of knowledge in the matter of engineering
and water supply?
Answer-VVell so far engineering. yes sir;
I owned an engine for some years Al my place
OF business we manufactured butchers supplies
and did carpenter work. II was small; about
S-horsepoWer.
William H. Walker educated IN the free
Continued fifth DaEo-