New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-02
MR.. JEROLOMdN STIRS UP THE LAWfER0
HIS LEGAL FRIENDS HOWEVER CONVINCED THE
BOARD OF STREET oPENGNG-REDUc-
ING AN ASSESSMENT.

HIS LEGAL FRIENDS HOWEVER CONVINCED THE
BOARD OF STREET oPENING-REDUc-
ING AN ASSESSMENT.
propertv-owners who wanted assessments reduces
appeared before the Board of Street opening ana
improvements yesterday and asked that the CITY
bear more OF the financial burden incurred IN ths
requirement OF small parks and that the adJacehS
property owners pay less. The meeting was heid Ia
the Mayors office. The triangular park at one-hun-
dred-and- sixth-st West End-ave. and the Bouie-
ward was the bone of contention THOSE VINO "a1
been assessed, argued that the park wouiu no' ~,
crease the value OF their land in keeping with tne
amount of the assessment petitioh tha' WV
numerous names. was presented as "e's"y 80
ment in itself Il asked that the assessment VI
go 600 he reduced to $4,000 on the ground tha' 'hs
hoard had adopted a similar course for other prop
erty-owners who had been called on at h'S' " p"'
for the whole cost of nearby parks.
President Jeroloman. OF the Board OF AiderHen'
vas not willing to vote for the proposed assess
ment He said that lawyers banded together ano'
after having the board take off half. they went 70
Albany and had the Legislature take or the o'ner
half and the propertyowners reaped the pehe"
while the city paid the fiddler" He said that the
LAWYERS then pocketed fat fees. This observation
drew fire from Edward G. Whitaker. Of No %
Broadway one of the lawyers appearing Tor the
property-owners. He retorted. angrily:
II suppose. sir, you intend that as personal re
Election against me-" There was painful pause
and the Mayor glanced apprehensively at both men.
President Jeroloman said distinctly: Il mean
no personal reflection" Every one breathed
sigh of relief, but 1t was premature, -
President Jerooman again raped the lawyers. He
said: There is doubt that this thing has been
done time and time again. ard that lawyers have
made big money out OF It," Several lawyers pres
ent were about take issue with President Jerolo
man. who Is himself a lawyer. when Controller
Fitch cited the Mulberry Bend Park an Instance
OF where the practice Of having all the assessment
removed had occurred. AS he did not charge the
lawyers with doing this. the storm subsidized at
the moment Truman II. Baldwin read the list OF
signatures and the signers proved TO be responsible
men.
The Controller explained that in some cases where
the property owners had promised not 10 90 10 tmS
Legislature they had broken their promises IVY
that he did rot think that the sgners 10 the p'es
ent petition would keep bad faith. ,.....,,, 49,
Mr.. Jeroloman then caused another asrussi,i" III
saying TO Mr.. Whitaker: Perhaps you VIII I'll rSss
us the amount of the fee that you expect? ,Ins
remark stirred up the lawyer. who answered. ~, ~,
/ will not Your question Is ungentiemaniy ana ums
called for and impertinent." President Jeroioman
WINGED but did not reply. Mr.. Thayer' lawyer
then took n hand .., .xnac, I" he
sad ayor Strong Said: "Mr Jeroloman this gentle
The LAWYER said that he got fee that the Presi.
dent OF the Board Of Aldermen would be glad 70
GET Then the board. with the exception OF Pres.
dent Jerooman. reduced the assessment 70 NAVU
and adjourned y