New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-10-29
"PULLS" WERE NECESSARY
MORE REVELATIONS OF TAMMANY DOCK
METHODS
WHEN CROKER OR SOME wIGwAM CHIEFTAU
WANTED A MAN EMPLOYED OR BOUNCED. TT
HAD TO BE DoNE-INsTANcEs OF FAVOR
IrIsM-J SERGEANT CRAM BE.
FORE THE COMMISSION
Frs OF ACCOUNTS.
Frs OF ACCOUNTS.

Frs OF ACCOUNTS.
The Commissioners OF Accounts yesterday went
on with their investigation of Tammany dock
n ethods under the old board, and brought out
some interesting things from the minutes OF
meetings Of the late Commissioners. Pontica
pulls and cases Of favoritlsm came up con-
stantly. The cty's interests apparently didn't
worry the late Dock Board; all they wanted was
TO consult the wishes OF some Wigvam magnate.
The first witness called To the stand was J.
Sergeant Cram. formerly Dock Commissioners
Daniel Mcclure appeared for the New-Jersey
Steamboat Company. Commissioner Terry asked
Mr. Cram II his official acts had ever been In
fnenced by his political affiliations
81 cors slider that impertnent question, put
as am here under oatl l will say that never
was"
Commissioner Terry then asked the witness
about the Cromwell Line pier, where the city 10
now getting a rental OF % cents square foot tor
certain land under water. No rent was paid IN
the past Mr. Cram said that he did not feel
able to explain why until a map Of the Land
under water had been produced so messenger
was sent to the Dock Department for map
FEIGNED IGNORANCE.
Mr. Cram looked at his inqusitor and said
name?"
"My name is Terry" said the Commissioner
in surprise.
The case Of the Norwich Line pier. which
has heretofore received attention by the pres
ent Dock Board was then brought up Pier
No 40 North River. formerly leased oy
the New-Jersey Steamboat Company. for $zo0~
a wear and sub-Ieased to the Norwich Com
pany for $4,000 a year. Now the Norwicn
Line rents directly from the city, and $SSow
instead of 5000 goes into the city treasury.
Mr. Cram said that he had no special reia-
tons with ex-City Chamberlain ODonohue, who
appeared for the New-Jersey Steamboat Com
pany before the old Dock Board
Il am not making any explanation, saio me-
Il am entirely satisfied with my explanation
After some further questions about alleged
fayorltism and neglect to secure proper rentals
nv the old Board Commissioner Terry produced
extracts from the minutes Of the old Dock Board
and began TO read them. Tney proved extremely
interesting When the question or appointing
man by the old Dock Board came up, the minutes
nearly always reported the Commissioners -
asking: Has he pull?'
APPRECIATION OF INDIFFERENCE
Commissioner Terry asked some hard questions
of Mr. Cram. The latter affected not to be nur-
ried When the minutes of the old Board quoted
Mr. Cram as saying: Mr. Croker asked me 70
support that man." and Commissioner Ierry
asked him IL politics did not influence him iittie
bit. he said: "Other things being equal always
appointed friend or a Democrat
Cram denied that he had received passes nom
ocean steamship companies. but admitted tnat
they might have made him low rate when ne
went abroad
Mr.. Cram denied that he had received two
chnyv
made out to the order of Richard Croker
MIR Terry did not go into details regarding
these checks He said later that more about
,bsno wouId he brought ou, at the next session.
Mr.. Cram said that the checks were handed MIN 70
give 70 Mr. Croker, but that he had declined to
do so.
While Commissioner Terry was reading tne
minutes of the old Dock Board Mr. Cram yawned
and said that ne wanted tc ger away ne o4'o
that he was anxious to reach his ONCE. 'ninA
that this examination is largely mmateriah ne
said wearily When asked regarding certain por-
tions of the minutes In which he was quoted as
fayoring men sent by Croker, he grew parucu-
larly lstless and murmured: "Oh, probably ap-
pointed half dozen men on the Recommendation
of Mr.. Croker" >,
Once Commissioner Terry asked Mr. Cram IL
he believed all he read in the newspapers
Not all; your reports on the Dock board' ioF
instance"
t1ara are nrinted some Of the extracts that Com
missioner Terry read off; they have never been
pubIished. as the board did not allow reporters
in Commissioner Terry began:
At the meeting of June 90 lSs3 I find the follow.
ing Speaker sUzer r sppexSeba I xtb bsrc Sha YOU'D Ike
OF the fHr IWo dock builders both good Aid
both good dock builders.
HAD A PULL.
Minutes Of June 20. 1888:
President Cram-I to ask for informauon
why' when by an order from the Board. the boss
mason the Department was put IN enarss snt az
any sort-I appoi ined him FOR Commissiohels DIy
ad Ay' X h hp pass Ss aas He an
man fneneer-I don't know unless he did not attend
10 his work. He good man ,..,
President Cram-He was appointed for Michael
Commissioner Phelan--Croker does not want him;
Engneer-He is a good man. but he has been tan-
commissioner Phean-He says that he has got
pu!l. -, ... ,I has a mil and a very rood
MI and he IS frst-ciass man Mr. Daily Is per
sona!:y interested IN him. He Is a.so IN Daitons
Commlssoner Phelan-Dal,on says that he p
ppresIient Cram-I never saw him until ne came
in from Mr. Croker. want him tried again
Another extract.
President Grant, will tell you frankly. Sulzer
has brought into my room about 500 laoorers.
Meeting of July Is, 1898. Subject under discus
ton. repermlttng Houston. West street ana "a
vona Ferry Railroad Company for car stand.
President Cram-I think that the company ousnt
to send every Commissioner a pass 90 up ana
down every day and spend dollar S week: esss..,
Commissioner whte-pont they send passes! n"nv.,-
President traH-No, IL u " "'aN''' Va ~'
isnce 10 DO that. -. G., -
to The superintendent OF that road and tell him
mat would like to see him some time next week