The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-12
THE ALLEGED HARBOR ABUSES.

Further Evidence Adduced-C0 Conflicting State.
ments OF OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Fond
of Fces-Hart's Honesty.
The investigation into the charges brought against
HarhOr Master Hart by NUMBER Of merchants and
wharfngers was resumed at the ONCE OF the
Captain OF the Port yesterday morning The first
witness called was Mr. ElZey Powell who does
business as commission merchant OF 15l Front
street. His evidence was not very important and
principally tended to show that he preferred
FEEING A wHARFINGER
for providing bcrths for his vessels to adopting the
legitimate process OF applying to the Harbor Master
to have positions. assigned them.
F. Cushman was next sworn by Captain Jones
and examined by Mr.. Ridgeway. He testified that
he was wharfnger at piers 2 and East
River, which are In the canalboat district !;
was on those piers almost every day
during last summer, and had seen vessels
other than canalboats, lying there every week;
sometimes put In vessels with the permission Of the
Harbor Master; occasionally had done so on his own
responsible ty, but had discontinued the practice
in April. 1870 though possibly might have assigned
berth In December, 1870; saw the Lola Murchson
come up to pier No. 8 in tow OF the Tebo, and saw
the Tebo afterwards take her away; Hart gave me
bertns In the canalboat district for three vessels in
December, 1870; he gave me written permits. aud
At this stage OF the proceedings william X. Niver,
tho wharhnger who gave such contradictory evi-
dence on the last preceding day OF hearing, was
eagerly sought after by Colonel Davis, the counsel
for the defence and even the attorney for the
plainantS went III search OF him. But he declined to
FACE THE MUSIC
apparently, SO Mr.. William Knapp was called and
sworn He stated that he was dealer in grain at
81 Broad street. and the owner or elevator loca
ted OH the opposite side OF one OF the piers
troled by Niver; having had some dinculty In get.
ting bertns for ills vessels pier No. T. East River
he called upon Hart in order 70 see II something
Hart referred MN to Niver and the following day
that wharfinger told hIm that he would nave TO
PRETTY GOOD STAKE
II he wished to have things his own way; thought
the amount Niver mentioned was $780,; witness
sum In two instruments; Nlver was nearly as mucu
a stranger TO witness as HART thought the money
was for MYERS benefit; 1t was returned within q
week; Niver came and said the money was 10 be re-
turned and asked II witness would receive II; de-
Hart cent for berth, or any accommodation; no
mention was ever made by Nver OF sum OF s., 900;
did not think Niver ever assisted him In getting his
vessels In or out OF the slips; witness once
GAVE NIvER PRESENT
in money, SO; 1t was his impression when he gave
the 5000 to Niver that 1t was not going into Harris
but MYERS POCKET; he had never been asked by
Niyer to subscribe towards present Tor Hart.
the Port that money had been extorted or demanded
for privileges OF the port
On January 3, 1872, filed charge against Harbor
Master Hart; there were then charges had pre-
vlOusly made against MN under investigation by
nothing OF the truth OF these charges: based them
upon report no one requested me 10 sign the
charges; Mr.. Benedict, my attorney In these cases.
drew up the document OF charges; other complain.
ants In these cases have also employed him; | ad.
vised them to do so; neither Knapp nor NIver ever
spoke to me about employing counsel; have heard
that charges substantially the same were sent to
the Governor about q year ago and subsequently
Withdrawn; did not say, before lied the charge
or January 8, that
WOULD HAVE HART REMOVED
from the canalboat district at whatever cost; never
talked with Knapp ABOUT making the charges before
they were sent In but have conversed every day
with Niver about them never asked Niver to make
these charges but asked him to come into court and
Willingness to do 30; on the contrary, he seemed
anxious to become witness; put vessel In the
pay for the BERTH and never paid Hart anything for
one; did not apply to any Harbor Master or the
Captain OF the Port for berth; this week berthed
two Of my vessels at pier No. without permission.
The further hearing OF the case was then adjourned
, until half-past ten A. NJ. to-day.