New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-11-25
Glynn Says State Road
Building Will Be Open to
Worlds Markets.
NEW SPECIFICATIONS
TO BE VERY SIMPLE
Governor Will Prevent Use of
Highway Department for Polltl-
cal Patronage Purposes.
IBy Telegraph TO The Tribune.l


Albany. Nov. 2i.-Road building in New
York State is to be thrown open to the
asphalt markets Of the world. Governor
Glynn said tonight He said that this
~ould stop the asphalt scandal.
An advisory board of three highwey
engineers. appointed by Governor Suizer'
drew up specifications for road building
which provided that solid natural as
phalts" must ne used on state roads This
is said TO have given monopoly to the
Barber Company. the alleged asphalt
trust" and has been fought at numerous
hearings by representatives of the
Warner Quinlan and other oil asphalt
companies. who said that they were eX-
Guided
Asked what would become Of the adj
yisory boards specifications, Governor
GIynn said he guessed they would so
into the liver"
81 know they were vouminous and took
(
under the new plan the 'peciiications VIII
/ be very simple. All that IS necessary is
! to have the specifications so drawn that
every suitable asphalt known can be used
| inserting the condition that every con-
tractor must guarantee the road he builds
for at least three years, and possibly ilVe.
This will do away with the asphalt
scandal This provision Will give every
! asphalt dealer in the world who has an
asphalt which he will guarantee for hve
/ years an equal chance with every other
asphalt man for the business OF New
| York State. IT will also be notice TO the
contractors that they must get an asphalt
whose makers are willing TO give n FIVE
/ year guarantee for the contractors
security
The specifications will also require
! every contractor IN conn sction with the
presentation Of any estimate for payment
of state moneys to make a solemn afii-
/ davit as to the work performed. showing
that IT has been performed in exact ac-
cordance with the specifications so as 10
subject him TO such penalty as may be
/ involved IN case he makes a false af-
( davit
81 have also directed that hereafter no
| one will be employed upon the roads ok
/ cept for special competency and ability.
| and ] will positively prevent the use OF
the Highway Department FOR political
patronage purposes Hereafter inspectors
! I'm the Highway Department will be en-
ployed for their ability TO inspect roads.
not for their ability 10 deliver votes or
retain for the administration the friend
ship OF political leaders.
/ "My own idea is that the state should
; maintain a suitable training school foi
highway inspectors analogous to the
( training schools and methods IN force In
/ the New York city fire and police de-
/ partments
/ II have designated Commissioner Car
isle. Attorney General Carmody and
/ Commissioner Of Efficiency and Economy
/ Delaney a committee TO carry our these
Views I'm the specifications and contracts
! for road construction and maintenance
! James W. Osborne will begin his state
wide graft investigation tomorrow when
1 he returns 10 Albany from Buffalo. II
| is expected that public hearings will be
held, but Arthur r. Warner. Mr.. Os-
borne's assistant. said that this Is mat
ter to be decided at a conference which
will be attended by the Governor. the
Attorney General and the Glynn investi-
gators.
Governor Glynn and Mr.. Osborne say
that District Attorney Whitman should
not go outside Of New York County In
prosecuting alleged irregularities involv-
ing highway and canal contractors con-
trbutions for the Democratic stale or
ganzation. They. however, feel certain
that the matter will cause no trouble.