New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-07
ABOTT Az ENGINE-HOTSE SITE.
COMMISSIONER LA GRANGE REPLIES TO
CRITICISMS OF THE CONTROLLER.

COMMISSIONER LA GRANGE REPLIES TO
CRITICISMS OF THE CONTROLLER
At meeting of the Board OF Estimate yesterday
Controller Fitch said that he had recently received
n request from President La Grange. OF the r ire
Department. for the purchase OF lot - iee' %. i0o
feet by % feet in Twelfh-st. near University face
for $4,000 In reference to the matter the Controer
said: The peculiar thing about 1t all Is that the
nroperty is arsessed in the books at 5000 Ii is
worth probably 10000. perhaps 5000 "a limit ana
the owners offer to sell II for $1,000 thought
therefore, in face Of these facts. that President la
Oranges proposition was most eNraoruha'S
one.
Fire Commissioner La Grange was busy at MS
desk at Fire Headquarters In East Sixty seventh
St. when Tribune reporter called there yesterday
afternoon. lie had just prepared the following let
ter to Mayor Strong:
ine newspaper headed Ia Changes Freak" and
in view OF the Controllers comments on the action
the proposed purchase of site for an engne-nouse
at No % East Twefth-st shall cause the iacts
iished tomorrow morning. This action appears
necessary in justice to all the members OF TINS
Board. though desire 10 avoid all newspaper
notoriety or controversy.
When asked II the figures given by the Controller
we're correct. Commissioner La Grange said; Il
think Il; surprising that the Controller should have
taken occasion to make unklnd comments on the
unanimous action OF this Board. In seeking TO
purchase at private sale for figures lower than ap-
peared likely be obtained by condemnation pro-
ceedngs And surely II seems surprising that the
Controller should find fault with the Board for
withdrawing from the negotiations FOR private pur-
chase and requesting that condemnation proceed
sngs he continued After being advised by the
Deputy Controller through the secretary OF this
BOARD. that the Controller considered the price
which 10 be submitted 10 the Board OF tSti-
mate and Appointment zoo high FOR the prop
crty. the OF the property William 7 van
Zandt expressed his entire willingness 20 have the
condemnation proceedings 70 on, believing that ne
would realize n higher price than $1,000. which he
had offered 10 accept AT private sale
THE Board found that lot In the Immediate
neghborhood recently had been sold for 81 square
foot and that the price OF $1,000 for the purchase 81
the lot I'm question az private sale would be less
than 81 a square foot The Board desired 10 avoid
the inevitable delay caused by cond"mnation pro-
cceiings'
Speaking only for himself COMMISSIONS La Grange
said The figures given 10y the Controller are
evidently erroneous The sources and the animus
OF the squ!bs ana nnusndocs which have recently
been circulated about two Of the Fire Commi'-
sloners are perfectly understood. and when the
Mayor shall send his commissioners ~ Accounts 10
investigate the accounts a. inc Fire Department
some reasons FOR itcse anony NOUS attacks VIII
probably mako interesting reading for some Tam
many people.
Commissioner Ia Grange handed tho reporter
batch ~ official records showing the action ~ the
Board in regard 10 the property