New-York tribune., 1899-06-22
Mr.. GERRY ON THE STAND.
HE TELLS OF THE S. P. c. A. AND ITS
FINANCIAL AFFAIRS

Elbridge T. Gerry president OF the Society FOL
the Prevention Of Cruelty children told all aoou
his society yesterday morning as witness befor'
Albert stickney OF No 81 Nassau-st.. who was ap
pointed a referee ny the Supreme Court 10 lhNeSU
gate the workings OF the society.
Mr. Gerry gave his testimony in positive man
ner He told at some length of the work done by
his society its service TO the city. Its methods ana
the facilities OF its building at Iwenty-'hlu's'
and Fourth-aor. Mr.. Gerry and the society were
represented b, Delaney Nico and j. ID. Lindsay
The Controller represented by Deputy |o"-
troer Edgar J. Levy and the Corporation Counsel
by George l., Sterling OF the Corporation CounseIs
Office.
state when the first contribution to the society
from the city was received" said Mr.. Nicoli'
The first money ever received from the city was
$4,000 IN May 1894 That year the society received
,ao 600 from the city Before that time nothing was
received"
HAS the society not received anything from the
city or State in the way OF exemption from 'aAa-
tion?''
NO" was the answer. the society declined 10
accept any such exemption. The directors aoop'eu
resolution March 49, 1894 In which 1t was resoiVeo
that the society would pay It's taxes"
Mr. Gerry said that the society pays about 'IV'V"
n year 10 the city which is collected from parents
who can pay for the support OF their chlIdreh III IN
stitutions In 1898 the city received %s'z III .ihs
way, and in the first quarter of 1899 the society
by the society since its organization was *n4O' o.
At one time in his testimony Mr.. Gerry said'
'If the city should deem 1t best that the society
should abandon its work. why the city can iaNe 10
do so The society certainly could find more iucra-
five returns II IT converted the upper floors OF IT'S
building into Offices We can give back the sScoN
that the city gives us annually and the thing could
be arranged want the position Of the society
understood We not grasping for the sSooVo
that the city allows us"
The Controller wanted 1t understood, MI Levy
said that he had not brought any charges against
Mr. Gerry or his society. The charges had ap-
peared in newspapers and Mr.. Coer did not want
under any circumstances TO appear as a prosecutor
Of Mr. Gerry.
Mr. Gerry explained the society's methods OF
handling its collections and said that more thah
once IT had requested the city be relieved OF the
onerous duty OF collecting and accounting Con-
troller Theodore w Myers considered the matter
but Controller Fitch who succeeded him In 1924 re-
Quesed the society to continue, and 1t has done so
Now Mr.. Gerry" asked Mr.. Nicoll, sometimes
the society is called the Gerry Society. as If you
were the soul OF the organization Now is this the
TRUTH or has the society d Board Of Directors"
THE society has Board of Directors. As for
the name, 1t owes its origin 10 the present Am
ed VI he M soteiv ietrv.s society in Joke"
After recess Mr.. Gerry took the stand again one
OF his first statements that he derives nothing
from the society, except at times uhehtNIamoie m
notorlety." He also stated that at no time IN my
life nave PAID one doiar elther Tor or asaIlsI any
legislation concerning the society or other concern
Touching upon the signing OF checks, he said they
signed by himself president and by the
treasurer and in his absence by one OF the vice.
presidents.
He said that II the city should provide Its own
children's institution 1t would cost at least s24CW
for the city alone. He admitted that the wish OF
the State Board Of Charities 10 probe into all or
the records had been resisted. He said 1t done
protect those who had been rescued and whose
careers were recorded. Many who had been lifted
from lives of shame he said. and were now living
happily. perhaps married would be irreparaoly in
iured IL the records should become DubliC
When Mr.. Gerry had finished he examined
by Assistant Corporation Counsel Sterling. who
asked him number OF questions about the building
OF the society.
Edward F Jenkins. superintendent OF the society