New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-10-16
BROOKLYN'S ARCH SCANDAL.
MAYOR SCHIEREN GREATLY INTERESTED
AND READY TO ACT
1T IS NOT CERTAIN YET WHAT COURSE WILL BE
ADOPTED-EiTHER A SUIT BY A TAXPAYER
OR AN INVESTIGATION BIZ a LEGIs-
LATIvE COMMITTEE MAY
BE DECIDED on.

BE DECIDED oN.
Interest In The Tribunes disclosures re-
gardng the Brooklyn Memorial Arch continued
unabated yesterday. The work of examining the
arch by experts IN order 10 determine. as far as
such examination can. how much extravaganza
INDUCED In by the responsible for
building the structure has already begun. and
further interesting developments are promised.
The Brooklyn papers have taken the matter up,
and on all sides there Is strong feeling that all
the facts must be laid bare. matter what the
standing OF the men concerned In the frauds.
nearly remotely may be.
Mayor Scheren Is taking the deepest interest
in The Tribune's revelations and expresses a de-
termination TO do everything In MS power 10
promote investigation and punish those re-
sponsible for plunderIng the taxpayers If sufi-
cient evidence against them be obtained.
When spoken to about the arch matter yester-
day afternoon. Mr.. Schieren said:
You may quote rne as saying that intend 10
take this subject UP az soon as possible and as
certain just what can be done regarding II.
have been SO busy to-day that | have had no
time to give Il any attention. But | will do so
at the earliest moment II the money Of the city
has been squandere1 measures ought 10 be
taken To recover 1t and to punish those response
III" Tor tnc SteallfR. ful IL ~ one lHnp 10 Ildh"
charge, and another thing to obtain legal evi-
dencc The facts might be disclosed by "A tax
payers suit. which would involve considerable
expense II pushed properly. and 1t has occurred
10 me that IT Nigh; b. good thing to have an
investigation made by committee OF the Legis-
lature. But am not prepared now to say what
is the best thing - be done"
The Mayor showed 10y his manner that he is
thoroughly In earnest in his purpose . probe the
.1,f 1..Fs l. g..ff.. Il c
remark about a legislative investigation IL l. IN
terestng to note senator Brad!ey's declaration
that he intends 10 move FOR the appointment Of
such a committee soon after the session opens
next winter.
The suggestion has been made that If no
wealthy taxpayer Is willing to institute suit
unler the Tilden act. IA william Iiegier did IN
thc Water Supply Company scandal 4 numb"r
of citizens might be wng - make up "A fund
10 cover the necessary expenses. This would be
"A practicable method of meeting one of the OBJ
j.ctions naturally raised u such a suit. II is
believed that Edward VI shepard. who id such
good work In tfe Grdv's'ni prosecutions. would
be as good IL lawyer as could be found 20 act
FOR the taxpayers In this matter
\ man holding an official position In connec-
ton with the Brooklyn city government said
last evening:
I have read with great interest the
ticles in The Tribune yesterday and to-day. and
also the editorial article printed On sunday. |
am very glad that The Trbun, has taken
this matter up. and trust that n. last
there IL something through which We can
get hold Of the rascals who have been prey
Ing on the people OF Brooklyn for years II the
facts are as described Il IL certainly time for
something Ia be done. and have no doubt
something will be done Just what am net
prepared t0 say now. II Is fact that in some
II the city departments moral evidence Of fraud
In more than one dire ction is In possession of
the present officials: bu, 10 obtain legal evidence
Is another thing We abe % go certain
distance but beyond that matters have been
carefully covered NJ. The ringstrrs were very
shrewd men and concealed their tracks with the
utmost pains \ suit by 4 taxpayer such rs The
Tribune suggests. would enahl" All the facts To-
be- brought out. and am hopeful that something
II this kind may be undcriak"1 There is no
doubt that there has been great "XtraVagan'c. II
no, actual stealing. in connection with many of
uur public works such as the new armOres
for example. but whether any stealing can
b" traced IL the question. In the case
~ the arch. there ser.us 10 be a good pros
poct ~ discovering the frauds and | hope that
the matter will be- pushed as rapidly and as far
as possible
"Th. Brooklyn StauIarI-Union' last evening
printed a f.,ll summary Il The Trbune's sunday
article. AMI also strong EDITORIAL entitled An
other Chapter of Ring Robbery"
The Eagle" made no edit Dripl comment on the
revelations concerning TN" arch. Under IN"
Le,dlrg "TrilUnc's Arch EXppsS-fIow the
Building II II Was Apparently Conducted" II re-
printed 10 tn. extent ~ nearly a column The
Tribuncs Sunday article.