New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-24
RYDER GOT CITY WORK
WITHOUT PUBLIC BID.
Vas in Council at the Time-Dis-
triCt attorney Sees Wa1ker.

Joseph w. O'Rrien, a master plumber. testified
yesterday at the Ahearn investigation that his
firm, O Brien & Ryder did n large amount Of work
for the city while Patrick J. Ryder was a member
of the City Council. He said that no was In bust
ness now for himself, the partnership having been
dissolved in June last since which time he has not
been able to get any city orders. Ryder getting
them. Ex-Councilman Ryder is critically i'll
at his home in ST. Luke's Place. O'Bren said that
the firm formed in 1889 the place OF business
being at No. 1F Spring street.
The witness said that his firm had done n great
deal of work for the city in public schools He said
that in doing work for the Water Supply Depart
ment he had submitted estimates and that
II would be impossible to do so in advance He
testified that he had submitted estimates for the
bureau of public buildings and offices.
O'Bren said that he received two orders n month
for work from the bureau Of public buildings and
offices In addition special orders. order
was for the work in City Hall Park OBren de-
clared that the only time he had talked with
Borough President Ahearn was in connection with
plumbing work on the Madison street courthouse.
Asked to account for the sending OF bill in his
own name when he was in partnership with Ryder.
he replied: AT that time Ryder a council
man"
"Did you render bills to private persons in the
same way" he asked.
NO; rendered them IN the name of O'Br!en
& Ryder the reply.
O'Brien said that January l. 1905 he and
Ryder incorporated their firm He. Ryder and
Frank Ortes the shareholders. Witness de-
MED ever having done work for tho city IN ad-
vance OF orders. Being shown an order dated
May 81. accompanied by bill showing the yvcr k
to have been done from March 9 10 May A. he
was asked by Commissioner Mitchell II the facts
disclosed that the order issued after the work
had been done
1T would appear So" the reply.
How do you account for it?'' asked the COM
missioner.
Il can't account FOR IT," answered O'Bren. "un-
less It emergency order"
Witness said he often did work at the verbal
direction of William II. Walker In advance OF a
.o'Brien testified that the men in his employ on
shown number Of bills which his firm had sent
and explained the kind o. work the bills called
for O'Bren said that he had never done dol
buildings and Offices without the personal knowl-
edge OF William H. walker the superintendent
he had done work for the city, At FIRST, he said.
office. but about two years ago he began 10 receive
his payment through the Metropolitan Equipment
own sworn statement Max Cramer Is the sole pro-
prietor. The witness received his orders through
court Buidng lie rendered his bills 70 the bureau
of public buildings and offices during the last
two years and received check In payment from
the Metropolitan Equipment and Supply COMPANY.
The check was signed by Max Cramer OF late,
he said his hills not paid and he refused to do
a9 an oT , oc " fS b T Of bubble bpdings
and Offices and protested. and he was told to see
william II. Walker dismissed as superintendent
Of public buildings by Borough President Ahearn,
was in consultation with Assistant District Attor-
ney Smyth. in the Crimtna! Courts building; yes
terday morning. He conferred with Mr.. Smyt
and a stenographer from 1890 10 l O'Clock. ana
again later in the afternoon. II was believed that
lie had been subjected to searching cross-exani-
nation. In addition to Walker. Thomas a. TYding
and James MCClcery were examined. Tyding sue
ceeded the firm Of Boise Lynch. as the con
tractor for the carpenter work on public buildings
McCleery has had many contracts for the city
painting The District Attorney would like 70
md Mir Boise Of the firm OF Boise e. Lynch. and
who was walkers partner for a long time The
hearing will continue to-day.