New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-08
FORGED LETTER FROM COLLIS.
THE MAYOR THREATENED WITH CHAsTIsE-
MENT IN A COMMUNICATION. WHICH
NUN Nv COMMISSIONER REPUDIATES.

NEWT IN A COMMUNICATIONS. WHICH
THE Ex.CoMMIssIoNER REPUDIATEs.
vbue at a meeting OF the Board Of Estimate ana
Apportonment which was in session yesterday
morning n letter was handed TO Mayor Van WycK'
IIe opened It. and as he read its contents. uarh
frown gathered on his face. When ne had nn'sneo
he said in low voice: Il have second threatening
,.,,er from the head of Mayor Strongs Department
NJ Public Works ] repeat what said In regard
10 the first letter, and say that snail continue
"a Investigate any and all departments which may
come before me regardless OF whom they aHect
and regardless Of any threats that may be maoo
against me by the writer Of this or any other
letter"
There was instantly a buzz Of excitement among
those present. By permission of the Mayor tho
letter was passed around. 1t ran as follows;
No 1855 Fifth-ave. October 8, 1898
Tho Hon Robert A. Van Wyck. Mayor or the CITY
Sri may have been ambiguous in my communi.
part Of IT as 70 what may aPpea anH SMILEY
chastise YOU II you dictate any further news mat.
ter news gathsrers 1njrsty renec!Hg 1 oPJh INC
LIoyd Coils. the son Of General Coils called
at the Mayors Office in the afternoon and said
that the letter received by the Mayor and PuTport
s t be from not ei Re o%nd hs Once
seen later at the Union League Club and emphat-
Saig efi It forgery comparison the letter
received yesterday and the one sent TO the mayer
ferent kinds OF paper and ink used People
who know how 10 Judge handwriting and have ex.
shaa the 's Second Tt' one Is a forgery,
District Attorney Gardiner said last night that the
IN hn Crand Jury would begin next Monday. lie
has natter a s9res take charge Of
will also take part IN The inquiry Inc spec@l Te
With he books Of the Department of Public Works,
viii be open &c tho scrutiny Of the Grand Jury.
To the Editor Of the Tribune.
Sir: ! am q member OF the Military Order OF the
Iovnl Iegion OF the United States, and was pres
ent at the dinner Wednesday night. when Major
Asa Bird Gardiner left tho room upon tho entrance
of Colonel Theodore Roosevelt. have no doubt
that Major Gardiner prefers that l; should go out
that his reason for leaving the banquet hal-but
NOT until after ne had eaten his Ill al the dinner
was because he opposed TO the introduction
Of ootics into fraternal association OF the char
acter OF the Loyal Legion. But was this the rea-
son? Or was II because, as some OF those who went
out with Major Gardner stated. they were offended
that General c. H. T. Coils had the bad taste 10
act as the escort and introducer OF Colonel Rooso-
yelt"? / believe that this was the prime reason.
II Major Gardiner is opposed 10 political effects
In our orga niza,ion-and all loyal members OF the
body would stand by him In such sentiment-hc
would have shown TO better advantage Il he had
hersI9iSts Major Gafdiner action on wednes.
day night was for political effect. and he carried
~ out as perfectly as he could. even TO risk OF
snsvI,no a guest Colonel Roosevelt was there "A
- az suest' as were several other persons not men,
Sets Of the body and Major Gardiner and nearly
all ~ nor NIL OF the companions knew that he was
conns, also knew .hat the TIM. TIM, Of ,i sitting
cenae q. MS non-arTiva. We finally sat down 10
dinner without waiting longer
- hs We spoken OF Mr.. Gardiner ne major, but
10 ciipgs 10 the title of colonel although he
failed TO get a decision that the law under which
he was retired entitled him to the rank OF lieuten-
snt.coionei He is borne on the Army payrolls ms
Major Asa Bird Gardiner: retired Tor disability.
rsc.n,ber isss'' ana his monthly pay from the
Govsrnment under the law OF after twenty years
service 10 S2lS 70. AiEMbhh.
Ge~-York. Oct T. lSM