The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-17

while the engineers estimate on the WORK
was $1.125.036. Under the law the canal
board could reject any bid that exceeded
by 10 per cent. the estimate OF the engt-
neer.
At the Instance OF Mr.. Peck the single
bid was rejected and the two contracts
were rcadvertised. This time the Grant
Smith Contracting Company bid $1.318,-
302 on TIA and the r. McGovern Company
bid s1,217,O6O. James Stewart e. Co. was
the only bidder on 72a, Offering to do the
work for f1.53l.732.26. At the same time
this company made bid Of $3.50 per
cubic yard for the excavating work to I've
done on Tia, and offered. II 1t also got
72a, to do this excavating for S2.4S a
cubic yard. Had the canal board ac-
cepted this proposition the Stewart COM
pany would have been the lowest bidder
on both contracts and the State would
have saved S2S.74O.3O.
Mr.. Peck was oil the opinion that a
contingent bid such as this of the Stewart
company was irregular and the matter
was referred to Attorney General Car
mody While he gave no written opin-
ion, his vote at subsequent meetings OF the
canal board Indicated that he thought the
bid was entirely regular The canal board
was In session considering the matter
when a telegram was received on Decem-
Der is. 1912, from Governor -elect Sulzer
be deferred. No action was taken that
day. but on the following day Mr. Peck
asked the canal board to affirm his ac-
ton in rejecting the contingent bid on
Tia. On motion Of Mr.. Carmody the
board again deferred action.
II was between this date and the end
OF the year that the man representing
himself as "0afney' appeared at the
office Of Mr.. Stewart.
while your bids were pending at Al
bany did you have conversation wi's
any one?' asked Mr.. Whitman.
Yes
O. with a man named Gamney: A. Yes.
sir.
Q. Will you describe that conversations
A. man came TO my office and introduced
himself to me Mr.. CARNEY He asked
me about our contracts. and told him We
were doing a lot Of state work Then he
asked me II could not make u subscription
to the Democratic campaign fund.
.. And at tho time he called there was
no election pending and no particular reason
why you should make a contribution then
A. There was no election pending and no
reason why should subscribe. He said
that Carroll and Cram had been the col
lectors before. He said Carroll was dead
and that Mr.. Cram WAS not collecting any
more. and that he had come to me as
he mentioned ever had been to see me. No
one ever solicited a campaign contribution
from me I always contributed, but without
urging from any one.
q. Did he say anything about the size of
your subscription? A. He said the CON-
tracts l had were pretty good contracts and
that per cent. on them would be a fair
amount
q. Tina, would have been about $50
IL.
right for that amount. but he made me
understand what he expected.
@ And what was your reply A.
though: he had good deal Of nerve
knew he wrong about Carroll and
Cram. I don't recall Just what I said. but
I showed him that resented his presence
and his mission. Then he left never
him before and have never seen him
since.
q. Did your visitor send in a card :
A. I don't think so. As recall the porter
showed him in and he introduced himself
q. DO you know ~ the man was James
| e Gafyney? A. don't know James Z.
| Gsnney. SO far am aware have
never seen him.
O. what do YOU .ecall Of his appear
| ance' A. He was tall and well built. a
big man and he had strong features.
| can't say whether not he was clean
| shaver.
Q. would you recognize him II you saw
him again? A. ] might.
Mr.. Clark read the minutes OF cana
board meetings to show that contract lila
was finally let on January II, 1913. &c
the McGovern company in spite Of Mr.
Carmody's objection. Mr.. Carmody urged
that Stewards contingent bid. by which hi
| would have got both contracts and b.
which the state would have saved more
than $4,000. should not be disregarded
| Contract Yea was eventually awarded
to James Stewart & Co. for sl,534,602.