The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-11-27
oLrAsox,s BrBnL1sr1xo H1eur.
THE Mayor Assaults Holly Treasurer
Knnnn,n siatnnsnt a. IN A nnsrdEarI.

THE Mayor Assaults Holly Treasurer
Kunpp's Statenent 49, to an 0verdran.
Accountants employed by the General I'm
provement Commission OF Long Island City to
examine tho books of the Commission and re-
port upon its financial condition completed their
work a few days ago. 1t was desired TO compare
their statement with the books in the office Of
City Treasurer Lucien Knapp. but that official
declined to permit an inspection of the accounts
In his ONCE.
The General Improvement Commission was
created during the administrator of Mayor
Sanford. and authorized to spend 81, 500. 900 for
public improvements. Bonds were to be issued.
The bonds required the signature OF the Mayor
and City Clerk, and had to be countersigned by
the City Treasurer, who was authorized TO sell
them and place the proceeds to the credit of the
Commission. Claims against the Commission
are paid by warrants signed by q majority Of
the Commissioners and countersigned by the
Mayor.
City Treasurer Knapp gave out q statement on
Wednesday night which showed that the Com
mission had exceeded its legal appropriation by
over $4,000. According to the statement,
S1.225, 900 in bonds had been sold. OF the bal
anco Mr.. Knapp reserves Sl3s. 224.42 for inter-
est on the bonds. He sets aside $4,000 for al
Issued by the Commission and never taken up
tpy him. Tbs last named amount is estimated
~ taS ~ y 'N'tO
ter. which said:
cially the condition Of the finances in relation
with and to the General Improvement Commits
welfare OF the city and anxiety to relieve and
alleviate the burdens upon our tax payers will
Just think of IT," said the Mayor. "the flnan-
cial officer of this city inventing ways and
@Sec OF p Ua Brsi money oat Without vi fe,slh any ss "utSofityio do
DO. II Mr.. Knapp Is going TO MAKE estimates on
the financial condition OF any aepsrtmeh. what
kept on an estimating basis? This Ia simply
BONE guess work on tho part OF the City Treas
nrer, and very bad guess work ut That. lie
takes nearly Sl5O. 900 to pay interest with. The
interest on city bonds is always put In the tax
has become OF the money acoruing from the
sale OF 81. 225. 900 of bonds. The act says these
must be- sold. Now, Mr.. Knapp knows who got
about Sl0O. 900 OF them. A few minutes before
] took forcihle possession OF my office he gave
o bundle of bonds to two contractors who had
been doing work for the Commission. That was
q few minutes before midnight. Rather n late
hour for the City Treasurer to be doing public
There is nothing in the law creating this
commission that vests Mr. Knapp win any
pay out money on the warrant Of the Commission
only. and has no authority to constitute himself
o court to decide upon the merits OF alleged
claims. The accountants employed by the Com
mission have found that several OF the con.
we issue a statement. Mr.. Knapp and a few
others will then have something TO hgure on"
eording to the clerks. do not show any over
draft on the accounts. On the contrary, they
show q very healthy balance to the credit of the
Commission. As the City Treasurer cannot pay
our money without a warrant from the Com
mission his accounts must agree with the Com.
missions. Ever since Mayor Gleason assumed
office Mr.. Knapp has refused to honor any
warrants drawn BY the Commission until a few
days ago. Now. 1t Is said. he issues q list Of the
Plumbers of warrants paid by him, and the list
includes several issued within a very short
time. One member of the Commission said last
night that It was very strange that Mr.. Knapp
should pay a warrant after he had discovered
that the Commission had overdrawn its account