New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-17
Mr.. SCOTT UPHOLDS MR. BARKER.
THE CORPORATION COUNSEL SAYS THE DOCK
DEPARTMENT SHOULD FURNISH 1NFoR-
NATION ASKED FoR-MR. TERRY's
ATEMr-N.T

STATEMENT.
Corporation Counsel Scott decided yesterday that
the Commissioners OF the Dock Department should
furnish 10 the Commissioners OF the Tax Depart
the specific information which the latter de-
sire to enable them to assess and levy taxes upon
property on the waterfront erected upon piers and
bulkheads leased from the city. President E. p.
Barker. Of the Tax Department, on December y ad-
dressed letter to the Corporation Counsel inclos-
ing letter from President T.. c. OBrien OF the
Dock Department saying that the last-named de-
partment was not bound to furnish the information
asked by the Tax Department. under Section No.
s23. of the Consolidation act. and asking the law
officers advice in the premises.
In his reply, after giving the substance of Presi
dent O Brien's letter In which President Barker is
told that he and his colleagues can get all the in
formation they need out Of the proceedings of the
Dock Board. published in The City Record"
and from the annual report Of that Board Mr.. Scott
says:
In my opinion Section No S2S Of the Consolidate
act in using the word permit" does not intend
to confine the information therein directed TO be
technically termed permits but refers TO the word
m its broader sense Of permission to erect struct
+ do not c"nsder boeyer Vi Ibat he anguaee of
that section is important. as, in my opinion II Is
the clear duty of each department Of the city gov
especially to the Department of Taxes and As
sessmens. ali Information necessary TO carry on the
protect and defend SI the city, fights manner anu
think. therefore. that YOU should avail your
self OF the suggestion made by the Board OF Docks
at the end Of the letter transmitted to me, and
request in detail the Information which you desire
President +. c. OBrien OF the Dock DEPARTING
when seen last night at the Windsor Hotel, SAID
! decline absolutely to discuss President Barker
or his tax proposition any more We are doing our
duty In this matter and shall continue to do So"
Secretary George S Terry however had this TO
say:
There appears TO be persistent effort on the
part of the Department OF Taxes and Assessments
deliberately TO misrepresent the attitude OF the
Department OF Docks in regard TO the position OF
the latter department ON the question OF taxing
structures water front property belonging TO
the city. The Department Of Docks at no time
declined to furnish the Tax Department with any
information We simply deferred replying 10 the
communication Of the president OF the Tax Depart
ment until such time we could get more
definite idea TO what was called for under the
opinions Of the Corporation Counsel the second OF
which was MODIFICATION Of the first To-day's
letter from the Tax Department and the last opn-
ion from the Counsel the Corporation en-
tlrey uncalled for. President O Brien or
ders December .. when the first opinion of the
Counsel TO the Corpora; ton 10 the Board Of Docks
was received to have prepared list Of all the
structures the water front property belonging
20 the city with the view OF giving the fullest infOr
nation possible TO the Department OF Taxes which
lis; will be furnished TO them at the earliest prac-
Tcable time