The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-06
THE CONTROLLERS INDICTMENTS.
MR.. GREENS OFFICIAL ACTION CRITICISED pY
COMPETENT PARTIEs-THE UDA AERIAL LAD


MR.. GREENS OFFICIAL ACTION CRITICISED pY
COMPETENT PARTIEs-THE UDA AERIAL LAD
DEE BUsISEss-sTERNEs ILLEGAL FEES
reporter OF the HERALD visited several gentle
men yesterday whose names are entioned la tae
serious indictments drawn up by the Law com.
mittee or the Board or Aldermen against the
Comptroller. Their statements anu views
gwen below. There did not appear any reluctance
Whatever 10 converse on Mr. Green's lack Of
capacity, integrity and good manners. Indeed,
every seemed 10 think he needed some IN
sirnetlon on uhe latter point.
THE COLLEGE or THE CRY OF NEW YORK
II appears that Mr.. Green attempted to inter
iere with the control or the College OF the CITY OF
New York. in direct violation OF the plain letter
OF the law. he assumed authority to audit bills
for the INSTITUTIONAL duty and right that legally
and entirely belongs the trustees. General
Alexander S. Webb President OF The College.
stated yesterday that the unauthorized
conduct or the Comptroller had seriously
Affected It's credit; but they determined
TO check the usurpatlon In the most
edectual manner A plumber had performed
work on the buildings calling Tor several thousand
dollars The trustees approved or 1t and certl-
ned to the correctness OF the bill When pressn led
10 Mr.. Green he thought 1t necessary TO send one
OF his extravagantly paid experts TO examine the
the latter, he refused TO pay the demand. Legal
proceedings followed, as Is the usage, and 1t was
decided that Green had color or right
10 interfere In the premises. But great
injury inflicted on the college
In consequence Persons furnishiu. supplies de-
cliued TO have any dealings with 1t when they
heard that Green was to examine their pills, know
ing full WELL no matter how just they might be
ana how much they might require their money,
Ialou In
cur. The Comptroller learned lesson IN con
necton with this matter that has had the effect OF
allowing the trustees OF the College OF tue CITY OF
New York to attend to their duties without
his assistance or In reference.
THE IDA AERIAL LADDER CASE
MIR. Charles Ii. Hodges found In his ONCE
during the afternoon. He gave the following
account of the ida aerial IRE ladder matter, con-
corning which very grave allegations are made by
the Law Committee OF the Board OF Aldermen re-
nectlng. to say tue least, Mr.. Green's recttude.
Porta, o resident oil Milan, Italy, invented lad
der which he be ieves correctly, 1t would seem.l
10 be or great value In cases of ondagratlons
He was poor, and 1t came to the knowledge OF
certain editor or Miian newspaper, named IDA,
\ taat Porta desired TO bring his ladder into
4 notice. Alter some time Porta disposed OF bis
4 interest the concern 10 the wife OF Uua-a ma
4 tive o. Kentucky and woman VI remarkable IN
\ tellIgence, energy anO perseverance,. Coming at
her The ladder. when she Drought 10 the notice OF
4 the New York Fire Commission rs, VINO finally
agreed TO purchase the patent riah' (which Ars;
$4,000 Tue Board OF Apportionment approved OF
TINS action ano ordered Green 10 pay the money,
Green himself votlng Tor the appropriation.
VERY STRANGE TRANSACTION
now followed. Mrs. Uda was positively refused
/ payment Dr the Comptroller de douoted tue
value OF the invention and was deaf To all en-
treaties TO pay tue womau, though he had voted
for It's payment. An action was institute ed and
Judgment obtained, but stlll Green lnexora-
be, and more tnan mat he papabiy stuitined hlm-
Department. He became just ABOUT TINS lime
very Intimate with tne lady in question-to sucn
si5. oOO assigned her Judgment s25,u0O 10
that gentleman. Tue law directly aud specifically
position 10 be interested in the safe O. arti-
Gle the consideration Tor when - 10 come out or
the city treasury. Inc assignment was Illegal anu
ceeoed. Tne opposition to the layment OF the claim
ceased after the assignment, and Mr.. Green tine
paid 10 the Secretary OF toe Fire Department
SO, 900, thus deprlylng Mrs uda or PorS OF
$4,000 ana gave hnal touch TO a shameu and
Illegal transaction. MIR. Hodges acted as counsel
Tor Porta. VINO, up to this moment has NOT re-
ceiyed y lartnug Tor mis- aria ladder.
THE sTERSE LOBBYING BILL.
! From information derived YESTERDAY from Mr.
\ william caldwell. memuer OF Assembly In 1874
and one OF the Westminster county supervisors
4 before tue annexation oil the iwenty-iMrd aud
Twenty-fourth VI rds. II seems very plain tnat tue
\ large amount OF money PAID certain lawyer
named simon Sterne out OF the city treasury was
/ "a efacsd, Illegal use OI puUHc money, having
ior lis OBJECT either reward follower or sub
serve q personal end. Mr.. Cauldwell stated TO
HERALD reporter yesterday that ne was IN
teresed in the project OF this city being enlarged
by the acquisition OF several towns at the
other side OF Harlem River "A nil Tor this pur.
pose drawn up by Mr.. George IL. Foster, OF
Kingsprid1e, gentleman who had no Knowledge
Whatever that sucn an individual as Sterne was
i duced the measure into the lower house, and &c
was referred 10 the Committee on Cities. While
In their possession MI. CauldweH and Mr.. Herring
\ member from Mestchester, ADDED many sections
and perfected toe act as prepared oy Mr. Foster.
Y When IN this condition 1t was introduced IN the
4 Senate aud referred there 10 the Committee on
\ Cities.
4 at this moment ana represented tuat he was sent
10 Albany by the Mayor, Comptroller and Col pora-
4 MN copy the one prepared by Mr.. fosler,
with some alterations or inierllneatlons. Mr..
\ Sterne went before the commit ees Of ootn houses
\ aud opposed the passage OF the Foster amended
bill; but II turned out that botn branches OF the
Legislature reported IN It's layor with the re-
\ markaple circumstance tnaL the senate Committee
i reported also lii never introduced III that boay
that Sterne or Green laihers. The latter was,
X as that prepared by Messrs. Cauldwen and her
\ ring win the exception that 10 the comptroller
4 was transferred the management and direction OF
certain financial interests tnat were originally In
tended 70 be lett IN the nands OF the Local autnor
ties uest acquainted wi.n the subject. The conse-
\ uuences have been delay. annoyance, the display
fgporance on the part OF the persons sent by tte
meddlesome aud obstructive Green 10 examine me
simplest matters. The city has had TO pay hou-
sands OF collars 10 Mr. Sterne Tor dong than
nothing MI. Green, DY tue act OF April 80, 1875
\ was inhibited, as stated Dy Corporation Cou, sci
Y Smith, rom employing counsel az puollc expense
Il aud here we have . nagrsnt violation OF law
well pointed out to the reporter yesterday the
\ exact work performed BY Mr. Sterne. IL con-
sisted OF ABOUT page and a hall OF MANUSCRIPT,
/ besides the convenient transfer or power 10 Mr..
Y Green from the hands OF men VINO we'll under
\ stood and had every interest 70 perform the
7 ouues imposed faithfully
VIEWS or THE CORPORATION COUNSEL.
II The Corporation Counsel. Mr.. f. Delaaeld Smith,
one or the principal witnesses who testified before
Y the Law Committee OF tie Board of Aldermen, was
found ia his once and SAID lie was ready 10 give
\ any information mat be could with pToprIety.
\ The appended col0quy took place. Mr.. smith,
however, while parity eXcusing some Of Mr.
\ Green's SHORTCOMINGS. was quite emphatic
i In stating that his tGreen's refusal TO
pay Just debts against the city was
Il highly reprehenslDle, ana not alone tnat but
v this refusal made the Comptroller u public OF
4 lender. the laws OF the State made 1t obligatory
II on tne ComptrOller TO uay iudumeufR. but that