New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-08

COMMISSIONER DISBECKER ARRAIGNED.
INVESTIGATION BY THE ALDERMANIC COMMITTEE
ON sTRrETs-TEsTIMONY CONCERNING THE
HARLEM FLATS FILLING.
The Aldermanic Committee on Streets, to
whom were referred the resolutions OF Alderman
ehandey in regard to Police Commissioner Disoecker'
held their first meeting yesterday. These resolutions 1t
viii be remembered stated that Mr. Disbecker had been
absent from post of duty at Albany for the purpose
Of defeating the streetCeanng bill recommended by the
Common Council, leaving the Board OF Police disor-
ganized and preventing the payment for long time OF
large number OF labOrng that as Chairman OF the
Committee Of the Board OF Police he had
caused the street refuse TO be used la filling in the snken
lots in Harlem and that he had just appreciation OF
his duties a Police Commissioner. The resolutions
also called on the Mayor to remove the Commissioner
At the meeting yesterday Commissioner DlsDccRer
vas present with his counsel, John ID. strahan.
Alderman shandley also present. with other
members of the Common Council. Several wit
nesscs were in attendance. Alderman Guntzer, Chair
man Of the Committee, summoned as the first witness
Thomas r. Agnew who testified that he owned 20 Duld
ings and lots the Harlem Flats which he valued AT
100000. He up in that quarter every few days
looking after his property He Of the opinion that
the ng in Of the snken lots with street refuse had
Deprecated his property at least S250,OOO The odor
from the decayng matter exceedingly unpleasant,
and liable TO produce an epidemic. ..,,o, ,,,ooo,
here objected to the investigation proceed
ting further He said that II was practically an lnvesu
CATION Of the Police Board and as inc Commissioners
were In person represented by counsel, ne
must object to the investigation. Alderman shandley
aad that in his opinion the Common Council had per-
feet right to make investigation OF this KIND through
tts committees. Mr.. srahan replied that under inc
Charter the Police Department as independent OF
the Common Council the Common Council was OF II.
and the Common Council had no more rght 10 invesl-
gate it's dongs they had to investigate those OF the
Board OF Health.
short consultation was held by the COmmittee and
Alderman Guntzer then announced that had been &c
cjded 10 20 on Mr. strahan said that Alderman Shand
ley had decided that the Committee should continue the
investigation. Alderman Shandey answered that al.
though member of the Committee he had exercised
bis privilege Of advising the members. Capt Twomey
read Revised Statutes showing that the Common
Council has power to authorize committee to hoid IN,
yestigatons witnesses, administer oatns, and
insist the production OF books and papers.
Commissioner Disbecker remarked that he wished 10
know why lie had been summoned 10 attend tle
meeting OF the Committee and told that 1t was to
give him an opportunity to respond to the charges
against him. Mr.. srahan then questioned Mr.. Agncw,
who said that he not cognZan personally OF the
acOn Of the Police Board but he judged the street dirt
the sunken fats by its orders and he
thought all the Commissioners should be removed The
Rev j. W. Shackelford aferward sworn but did not
testify as the Committee deemed II best TO adjourn sub
lect to the call Of the Chair