New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-30
STRONG FLAYS CONSTABLE.
BAD QUARTER OF AN HOUR" FOR THE
BUILDING SUPERINTENDENT.

ORDERED BY THE MAYOR NOT TO ENTER HIS
OFFICE AGAIN WHILE HIS TERN LASTS
THE CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE.
Stevenson Constable Superintendent Of the
Building Department paid visit to the Mayors
office yesterday. Mr.. Constable marched into
Colonel Strong's presence at cocky gait. his
head poised at the official angle. his fiashy uni
form coat buttoned up to his chin. and with the
pompous bearing OF man accustomed TO having
things his own way In short space of time he
came out Of the executive chamber somewhat
wilted and with his look OF superiority departed
Ii was MIR Constable's first appearance in the
MAYORS office since he had at an evening gather
ing uptown made a speech in which he had pa
raded his own wonderful doings as head OF the
reformed Building Department. and had incl
dentally worked in an pnprovoked attack upon
the Mayor who had appointed him, by alleging
that Colonel Strong had been guilty of an attempt
20 evade the building regulations by neglec'hg
10 comply with the departments directions as TO
certain Broadway property. The Mayor prompt
~ disposed Of the story by showing that he did
not own and had no interest in or control over
the property cited Ivy Mr.. Constable.
Since that day the Superintendent has carefuhy
kept away from the Mayors Office Yesterday
however on the pretenCe that he wanted 10 DC
a
avine the height Of buildings in the city, Mr.
Constable made bold to show his face again. lie
approachcd the Mayors table with an effort TO
,oo. smiling and afYabe, and began mumbng
about something in tone so low as to be in
audible q few feet off The Mayor. who had
plainly become angry the moment he saw Mr.
Constable enter the room waited not an instant
longer His eyes bazed with a fiery light as he
Murdered out:
If you have anything to say to me you can
,,,t II I'm writing and send II here. l don't want
n see YOU her. again during my term of oifice'
MIR Constable tried to say something 10
ameliorate the situation. and cringingly ap-
nealed 70 the Mayor for leniency. but the Mayor
was mad all through, and would not have II
that way. $500, "a
II tell you nc exclaimed in louder ana
barshcr tones that ! don't want 10 see you
ehoi,t here You have insulted me, sir-you are
The only one Of my Commissioners that mas IN
suited me- You have shown that you Know ' sns
yourself by remaining away from TINS once ioi
three months. , 49,. ..
reply, but 1t was useless. The Mayor 'orhe"
from him in disgust, saying ~ a..
II tell YOU | .vOn't have anything 10 say ~
Won You insulted me without excuse. Wouu
remove you tomorrow if could. ,,,
Mr Constable waited to hear no more pus
went away as fast he was able. he reluseu
~ vvait and make any statement to reporters
before leaving the City Han 49,,
The MAYOR afterward admitted that he mao
fed on seeing Mr. Constable Yesterday, but ne
declined 10 go into any details of the alialr.
.IN let Constable tell about IL. ne salP' lou
must get the story from him. o,-o, - NJ
The Mayor denied that he mad spoken u W,
Constable Of the appointment OF Jullus NJ
Mayer as counsel 10 the Bulldlng l5epai . i,.ns
during the interview or mad salo .hat ~ "a
related to his denunciation of the Superlii'ehu-