New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-10-05
THE CHARGES DENIED.
ALLEGATIONS AGAINST A PROMINENT
CITIZEN OF FLUSHING.
PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION SAID
TO BE SHORT IN ACcouNTlNGs TO
FORMER PARTNER-THIs HE DE-

FORMER PARTNER-THIs HE DE-
CLAREs TO BE FALSE.
The gossps of Flushing. l.. l.. are actively dis
cussing certain allegations made by william N
Gibson a lawyer, of No. 20 Nassau-st. who Is the
proprietor of the North Side Coal Company. of that
place. against Ellhu F. Harris, its ex-manaser n
Tribune reporter who visited Flushing last even
Ing failed 10 see Mr.. Gibson. who formerly lived
there but had moved to this city. He, however,
saw D. H. Van Name. the present manager. who
made a statement regarding the allegations against
Mr. Harris. TIE latter is president of the Flusn-
ing Board OF Education. and was appointed last
Tuesday evening as tax-coector by the Village
Board OF Trustees.
Mr. Van Name said: Mr. Gibson has made no
criminal charge against Mr. Harris, but only asserts
that there Is shortage Of 2ls tons in his coal ac-
count on April Mr.. Harris claimed that GER
tain quantity of coal was on hand, but afterward
admitted that there a shortage. Mr. Harris
was removed from his place on May !. ana was
appointed as his successor. 1t was discovered that
before his removal he had overdrawn his account
s.. IA in cash. and offset his personal bills with sew
eral traiesmen whom he supplied with coal by LETT
ting the coal balance his personal account, to the
amount OF sS6. making 5000 in all. AS security
for payment Of this amount ne has since given MT.
Gibson mortgage on improved real estate in Flush
Ing. 1t also appeared from the books OF the COM
pany that Frederick Hack owed II $50, but when
asked for payment. Hack said he had paid Mr..
Harris with a prOmissOry note. drawn 10 the lat
ters order The amount Of that note has since been
paid to the company by NJ Harris. have not
heard that any legal proceedings are to be had
against Mr.. Harris"
Mr. Harris. who seen at his home In flush
ing. when asked regarding the allegations. SAID:
THAT paid my personal bills with coal belonging
to the company is false. The shortage OF coal
whatever II may amount to. has been accuruiauhs
during the nearly fourteen years that have passed
since Mr.. Gibson and started the company. Ths
coal was never weighed when IT came into the
yard and no man can tell the amount OF shortage
which comes from shrinkage in handling. loss In
cart.ng from dock 20 yard. and quantities stolen
while on the way TO the yard and after being de-
posted there. Mr.. Gibson made out the annual
statements himself. and he is as likely to De mis-
taken as any one else. IL is true that was
removed from my position. LETT IT voluntarily !"
90 into the coal business on my own account
When | LEFT there many OF the company Gus.
toners became my customers, and that exciteo
jealousy and ted the circulation o, lalse stories
To iniure me and ms business. pald hack ; hotee
and gave a mortgage for 600" sirlp'V becaus. l
wished 10 have a full settlement before pushing
partners he taking three-tifths and two-fiths OF
the profit when there was any TO take. he mas
overdrawn IN the same way ana proportion on
maj basis as | have We couldn't tell before tho
nor Tn last two years have been bad ones IN
business and that IS the cause OF the oVerdralu
made both By Mr.. Gibson and myself. Mr. Gibson
has vaguely 'intimated something about legal pro-
criminal proceedings. nor is there the slightest
ground .or any such proceedings My record Is en-,
tireIv clear and ! am ready 10 meet any and al
Proceedings that may be Instituted"