The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-11-09
VAN WYCk
and THE
ice TRUST
Attorney General Davies Letter
to Gov. Roosevelt on the
Subject Made Public.

New York, Nov. 9.-In connection with
the answer OF Mayor Van wyck to the
allegation that he had violated the law
IN sanctioning contract between the
city and the American Ice Co., OF which
the mayor was stockholder. there is
published today a letter dated October 4.
from Attorney General Davies to Gov.
Roosevelt informing him OF the nature
Of Mayor Van Wycks reply. In this let
ter the attorney general says:
THE mayor. by his answer, admits that
during his incumbency of the office he
has been the owner OF shares OF stock in
the American Ice Company. lie also ad-
mits that during the period in which
he was the owner OF such stock the
American Ice Company had contracts
with the city for the sale Office to various
departments of the city and for the leas-
ing of docks belonging to the city.
I'm my opinion the owner OF stock In
the corporation is interested within tho
meaning of that word, az employed In
section 1888 of the Greater New York
charter In a contract between the corpor-
alton and the city"
Further on In this letter, Attorney Gen.
Davies says:
"In order to Justify the mayors re-
moval i do not believe that IL is nec-
essary to establish case against him
upon which he could be convicted OF a
crime under the provisions of section 1893
! above referred 10, but 10 believe there
should be clear and satisfactory evidence
of hts moral guilt"
The answer shows that when the mayor
acquired his stock In the American Ice
Co.. II had no business relations with the
city Of New York, and dd not have for
long time afterward and that as soon NJ
he discovered that II had such relations
he Immediately commenced TO dispose of
his stock.
The answer also contains the most cx-
plicft denial or any intention OF creating
or fostering monopoly or OF any knowl-
edge or Information OF such scheme.With
a single exception the answer Is very
complete and satisfactory
THE exception 20 which refer is the
admission contained in the answer that
the mayor bought the stock In question
from the president OF the American Ice
CO., and gave him promissory notes for
$780, COO in payment Of the greater part of
the same. Certain infercnces may. per-
haps be legitimately drawn from this
transaction but standing alone II fs not
sufficient evidence Of criminal intent.
1T Is OF the utmost importance that no
further proceedings should be taken in
this matter unless you are satisfied that
the charges can be sustained. The mayor
of the greatest city in America should not
be Inundated by being placed upon trial
upon charges which are groundess or
which cannot be proven.
Under all these circumstances and In
view of the fact that the charges are
made upon information and belief and
that Mr.. Hayes and Mr.. Peckham appear
TO nave practically withdrawn from the
case and considering the great expense
both TO the mayor and the state in
volved In such trial, i believe that be-
fore a commissioner is appointed or any
further proceedings taken In this mat
ter, you should require the petitioners
TO place you In possession OF evidence
which standing alone and undisputed
would Justify the removal of the mayor.
''In my judgment. the mayors answer
should not be made public at this t,gne
As have already stated. it's denials ara
allegations are clear and explicit and IL
might at once be suggested that the
charge should be dismissed or that a
commissioner should at once be appoint
ed and the mayor be given an oppor-
tunity TO exonerate himself.
You are powerless 20 act I'm this mat
ter during your absence from this state.
You cannot appoint a commissioner un-
I'll you reach this state and / am in
formed that Mr.. Woodruff will decline TO
take the responsibility OF appointing one"