The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-28

firm was one OF a number OF contrac-
tors whose business IL was to haul ashes
10 dock dumps. where Daily q WINS.
under another contract, took the ashes
away I'm scows. Daily & WINS. however
went into bankruptcy and the city seized
what OF the contractors equipment II
could to continue the removal of ashes
carted 70 the docks.
The receiver in bankruptcy obtained
an order from Judge Learned Hand in
the United States Court requiring the
city TO pay to the receiver $500
month for the use OF the equipment
The Board Of Estimate thought it a good
idea TO pay the $500 and continue TO
got the ashes off Manhattan Island, but
the Comptroller did not agree and OBJ
tanned q stay until he could appeal from
Judge Hand.
The new point OF view is that the
Comptroller. by deriving the city Of
the use of the defpnct contracting firms
equipment during the delay of his liti-
cation, compelled the city to find some
where 70 put the ashes. The result was
permission TO dump ashes on the court
house site.
The foresoing aspect OF the situation
WAS unfolded as another horrible ex-
ample" Of inefficiency and Incompetence
in the city administration.
The trial of George Backer will con-
tinue tomorrow. and it was stated yes
terday thar the trial OF Robert Brindell.
charged with extortion. will begin within
two weeks In the meantime 1t is re-
ported that the seventeen unions com
prising the Building Trades Council, of
which Brindell is president. are taking
steps TO raise a defence fund of $1,000
600 for him. The plan is TO place a SO
"a 'AF . N
10000 members Of those unions.
BIames Mayor for Default.
Discussing the Mayors change OF
heart regarding holding up the contract
and other warrants, the Comptroller
said:
ut may interest the public TO know
that among the payments so senselessly
held up was one for $4,000 with which
to redeem matured corporate stock of
the city OF New York, now overdue.
This action of Withholding the 100000
means that the city defaultcd on so inn
portant payment for the very first
time in Its entire history.
IF the city withheld warrants for
progressive payments until the investi-
CATION OF every contract was entirely
completed it would mean the bank-
ness with the city. Innocent and guilty
alike would suffer, thousands OF men
would be thrown out of work. and there
would be a suspension of work on scores
of important jobs. Aside from this the
city would be liable for great damages
IL the action OF the city against the
contractors proved illegal"
In reply to the charge of Mr.. Hirsh-
field that the Comptroller had refused
1t n.-E<
the warrants and that the warrants had
been held up for that reason, Mr.. Craig
asserted:
THAT is pure humbug tt cover the
incompetency of the Commissioner OF
Accounts. It is quite evident that some
body In the Mayors office has seen the
light and realized that grave damage
would have resulted had the warrants
sent from this office to the Mayor been
held up any longer.
The public is no doubt fully aware
that the holding up Of the pay warrants
was done for the purpose of creating the
impression that Hylan and Hirshfield
are the only ones who can protect the
peoples interests. AS a matter of fact.
a continuance of their attitude would
have proved disastrous TO the city
Mr. Hirshfield qualified his announce
ment of the release of the warrants by
saying that the warrants would be APP
proved only for such contractors as
have done work and delivered material
beyond the amount for which the money
Is due. The contractors will not be
asked at this time to comply with the
suggestion of Mr.. Untermyer counsel
or the Lockwood committee, that they
permit the city to hold back 10 per cent
more than the usual 10 or 10 per cent.of
the contract price until the job has. been
finished and the possibility OF the eX-
istence of collision eliminated.