New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-20
NATOR GLE4SON'S CITY H4LL.
Lose ISLAND CITY FIGHTING 4 JUDGMENT
FOR IT'S RENT SECURED Ry DEFAULT

Long ISLAND CITY FrGHTING 4 r-DGMENT
FOR IT'S RENT SECURED BY DEFAULT.
Mayor Patrick ! Gleason NJ Long Island city
was Yesterday charged with being concerned in 4
corcortad raid on the city treasury Tho charge
was made by - Corporation Counsel Foster. the
lawyer retained by CITY TrN1 Tucien Knapp.
Who is fighting certain claims against tho city in
which tho MaN * said 10 10 loss interest
% Mayor Gleason owns tho building used 4
city hall and he executed Lease for five tho
city to pay him $50" year rental. Tho Mayor
signed his rights for 1915 to James Kennedy
who got judgment against the city 10y default for
s. 19 p. The Mayor gave Kennedy warrant for
the amount which the CITY Treasurer refused to
honor. and yesterday Kounedy's lawyer Georg" W.
stephens. applied IN Justice Goodrich of tho Su-
premo Court for pcrcmptory mandamus to compel
Mr.. Knapp to pay over tn" money.
LAWYER stephens said thar kcnnedy's judgment
was for Hoi7 o.. and was obtained hy default on
February 10 It covered the rent OF the city Hal
from December l. 1sqi. to January 81 1895 Treasurer
Knapp paid tho rent for January, and on August
Mayor Gleason drew warrant out for the balance
and interest which the Treasurer refused To honor
on the ground thai the amount Incorrect. and
that he had nc funds applicable to tho judgment.
Mr. Stephens said that the Treasurer had $4,000,
tho proceeds Of Raincs law licenses. on hand. and
was amply able pay tho judgment. Mr.. Foster
said that the Judgment was obtained collusively.
and that the city did not much as tho judG
n,cnt called for Tho rent for December. 1894. had
been paid. amounting to A6 81.
This iudgmen, is only part of concerted raid
on the city treasury" said Mr. Foster THE lease
Of the building used city hall was made 10y
Mayor Gleason. and he the real party I'm the
matter. Kennedy had real interest ia II. Gea-
son agreed TO furnish light to the city. ON Deem
Der IT, 1886 the East River Gas Company put I'm
claim against Long Island city for 1854 g for gas.
The Treasurer believes that the company has Sc
cured "A Judgment for the amount. The Common
Council has omitted to provide funds for the pay
ment OF interest certain city bonds. and for the
support OF the poor and the $4,000 now In his hands
must be used 10 meet these Obligations. Seventy
per cent of the tax levy has been collected and the
Treasurer hopes to collect per cent more before
the end OF the year To maintain the credit OF
Long Island city. the $1,000 must be used TO meet
coming obligations This judgment Is certainly
questionable and the court ought to protect the
taxpayers g., -,
III the Judgment has not been attacked by the
city why should II not be paid? Justice Goodrich
asked. -, -,
I'VE want an opportunity to attack IT,, said Mr..
Foster Il suggest that an alternative writ be is
e,od so that II NAV be determined whether the judy
mont * colmsive or not. Otherwise taxpayers
action will have to be resorted TO. and none OF the
taxpavcrs know anything about the question
"Navor Gleasor'S lease il good said Mr.. Ste
phens "and he has fought a hostile administration
on II and won.
oh Mayor GLEASON has lots Of suits in Lopg
Island CITY" said Mr. Foster. HE Is trying now TO
collect g. 500 for the rent of two horses for some
thing year
Justice Goodrich reserved his decision.