The sun., 1900-06-05
THE ICE TRUST INQUIRY
Motion to Stop Examination Denied
by Judge Gaynor.
ACTION BY COMPTROLLER.
Governor Roosevelt Refuses to BE
interviewed Regarding the Re-
quest For the Removal of
Mayor Van Wyck.

New York, June 4.-Justice Gaynor has
denied the motion to stop the examna-
tion of Mayor Van Wyck, Augustus Van
Wyck and others on their ice trust stock.
The motion was made on the ground that
fhe proceedings were unconstitutionai
The justice decided that such was not
the case: that a supreme court justice
was authorized constitutionally by the
charter to examine the mayor with re-
gard to his connection with any comblna-
ton doing business with the city.
This decision will compel the mayor to
take the stand next Saturday and tell
when, where and how he got his ice trust
stock.
Comptroller Coler had conference
with ex-Judge Dillon, his private counsel,
with view to settling upon Il mode of
procedure in connection with an investi-
cation BY him of the contracts between
the city and the American Ice company
The comptroller was served with pa
pers in an action TO rescind the contracts
made by the dock department and other
city departments with the American Ice
company on the ground that several OF
the stockholders of the ice company are
city officials and that under the charter
1T is unlawful for any municipal othcef 10
acquire an interest in any contract OF
lease with the city. The charter also stip-
ulates that 'all such contracts in which
any such person is or becomes Interested
shall, at the option of the comptroller, be
forfeited and Void
Under this second provision the comp
froller has the right to resclnd all con
tracts with the city in which any of the
city officials have an interest.
Roosevelt won't Talk.
Governor Roosevelt absolutely refused
to divulge whatever intentions he ma!
have in view concerning Mayor Rober
A. Van Wyck and the other public 9th
cials who are charged with using thei
nositions to further the schemes of th
ace trust.
The governor, in company with hi
aid-de-camp, Colonel TreadweIl, passe'
through this city. The governor smil
ingly subjected himself to cross fire 0
questions from a dozen reporters.
Observing reporters approaching, h
stepped forward briskly and said: Goo
morning, gentlemen. | suppose you ar
about to question me in regard to the ic
subject. l must forestall you by Stain
that, excepting that l will confer wit
Attorney General Davies upon reachin
Albany, have nothing to say"
''How about Mayor Van Wyek? aske
one reporter, pressing forward.
II have nothing to say" the governc
repeated.
"Will he be impeached?" persisted I'll
reporter.
''Gcntlemen, | will not be INTERVENE
on this matter,' said the governor firm
as he turned to enter his car.
The governor has been asked to tai
action looking to the removal of May,
Van Wyck and members Of the doc
board. The formal request for the ma
or's removal was presented by Il. +. Ei
stein, representing the firm of Einste
4 Townsend, attorneys for William
Hearst 1t was based upon an ailidaN
that the mayor and Dock COMMISSIONS
Charles +. Murphy and J. Sergeant Cra
owned stock in the American Ice comp
ny. which has the contract for supplyi
various departments of the municipali
with ice.
By section 1888 of the city chart
any city official interested i'll Il conce
having contracts with the city is guilty
misdrmeanor and upon conviction sh
forfeit his office. Governor Roosevelt
mrged to appoint special grand jury
proceed in the matter.