New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-11
QUEER MARKET METHODS.
A COLLECTORS FRANK ADMISSIONS.
HE TELLS THE ooMMIsS1 oNERs or ACCOUNTS
THAT he Is IN ARREARS TO THE CITY

HE TELLS THE CoMAIsSJ oNERs or ACCOUNTS
THAT HE is IN ARREARS TO THE CITY
BIG COLLECTIONS AND LITTLE BOND.
Commissioners Holahan and Barker resumed the
market investigation yesterday, Messrs Nioon, Cou-
dert Mitchell and McAdsm, counsel for the various
parties In interest being present, with the usual full
attendance Of spectators. Mr.. Nco opened the pro
ceedings by reading letter rom Chief Judge David
McAdam, in which he stated that he was not related
in any way to Graham MoAdam, nor to his brother.
George II. McAdam. The latter unsuccessfl1y OBJ
iected TO the fling Of the judges lettor.
George ". Hanley, of the firm Of John a. Hanley
Co., fruit dealers In the market, admitted in his
testimony that he had loaned Charles PhihpSen at
various times sums aggngating $500, and had taken
Philpsen's note for the money. The witness denied
that these " loans" represented mOney paid to Philip
as compensation for assistance IN securing the
firms market stands or In obtaining a more eligible
place In the new market.
A. j. C. Warner Of the North River Fish and
Game Company testified that the compaDy's missing
bOOkkeeper, Nelson Gessner, In Richmoad, Va
The witness had seen him last on Friday at Taylor
Hotel Jersey CITY, and had urged ham to come before
the Commissioners and testify. Gessner had abSo-
hrely refused, saying that he was bound in honor
not to do so. The intmation that the person TO
whom he was bound in honor7 was Graham McAdam.
Samuel l. StOrr proprietor Of the North River
Company, said that he present al the interview
described by Mr.. warner at Tsylor's Hotel and
corrpborated the testimony Of the last witness.
Henry MaIIrer, boOkkesper in tho Market Bureau,
said that there was no record in the Controllers
Office by which the amounts collected in Washington
and West Washington Markets since May l, 1888,
could be ascertaind Statements Of rentals had been
prepared from the collectors stubs. They had been
given TO Cnief Clerk McAdam and now stubs, state
ments and McAdam had disappeared.
Edward Owen, chief clerk Of the Bureau Of Ac.
counts, deposed that under instructions Of the Com
mssichcrs he had demanded from the Finance De
partment AL the market books and accounts.
careful examination showed that 156 Of the col.
lectors books were missing.
One Of the recently removed market collectors,
Daniel Williams, testified that Controller John Kelly
appointed him in 1877, and that he had held the
place until Controller Myers removed him few days
ago lie collector of Washington and West
Washington Markets. taking In nearly 100000 a
year. His bond vas for 60 900.
The witness said that he did not know where his
books for the last three years He had heard
that they missing and had searched for them
without success. Previous to their disappearance
they had been scattered all the office, and were
III nobody's custody. Mr. Williams coony admitted
that he didn't believe that no had turned in all the
money he had collected. He thought that he was
about 81 800 in arrears but that would be all right,
be would make IT good. He bad tried TO GIT Mr.
McAdam 10 have his accounts made up so ihat he
could settle them but Mr. McAdsm had been too busy
With Nr. McAdam and the books all missing how
final settlement was to be effected tho witness could
not say, and II was quite evident that he by
means disturbed about It. lie had scquain ted Nc
Adam with the fact of the shortage about six weeks
ago.
The testimony OF william Quinlan and Samuel f.
Douglass, clerks In the Bureau and Of George COopc
the recently suspended cashier, showed the remark
ably lax methods used Mr.. Coope said that the last
he OF the missing books when Mr.. MauNer
was making up The statements for Mr.. McAdsm
from these can corrections be made. The Bureau,
far the WITNESSES knowledge went, had not been
invcStisa-e ed by the Commissioners Of Accounts In
four years.
II would not be a difficult matter. Mr.. Coop"
thought, for any cmplOyc carry OF the books. The
last man IN he Office locked the door and hung UP
tn" key in the Deputy Controller Office. Graham
McAdam. previous TO his disappearance, was scner
ally the ia5r
The wlrLc,s gave statement Of how the Ganse-
WORT Narg't wagon dues collected. Printed
tickets each reI reseufiug nv 'n'y-fvacenf wagon
fee, ObjGned rrGuslti0u signed by the rh.rf
clerk IN lOt, Of 10000 70 10000. About 5000
year supplied. This would make the actual
collections largely exceed the SUN turned In These
tickets were paced IN drawer which was sometimes
loci ed and sometimes UNDECIDED. II WIS the duty
Of clerk 10 ont tC Collector Barnett tho tick
cts he wanted Al the rate OF TOM NrEets for every
dollar OF cOlec ions turned In by him, hut under
Commissioner Uolahan'S questiOnn: the witness al
mi ted that The drawer often open, and tat any
collector could 60 10 II and help hiRseh 10 as many
tickets hc pleased.
The b.arlng will 90 IN ~ IN a m tod.y