New-York tribune., 1901-03-25
4 POOR MARTYR.

Poor Mr. Guilfoyle. He is much troubled
because some people have Il suspicion that the
building laws are sometimes used as an instru-
ment for extortion or blackmail. He talks of
turning over TO the grand jury the testimony
of n citizen who said an architect collected n
sum of money from him. saying ii neces-
sary to ''fx the department" Inasmuch as
the fixing is alleged 10 have been to secure
the approval of plans not complying strictly
with the law. naturally the architect says he
misunderstood and he has no fault to
find with the department. Consequently Mr..
Guilfoyle points virtuously to the exploded
charge as proof that inspectors never annoy
builders or force the use of certain materials
like the fireproofing which Mr.. Croker set his
son to manufacturing. Mr.. Guilfoyle thanks
the complaining citizen who thus vindicates the
Buildings Department, and feelinGly says:
If more people would do as you have done
public officials might possibly escape the con-
demnation literally bestowed upon them
through their lack of opportunity. in proceed
ing like this TO deny the falsehoods that they
Caumnes are sent broadcast and have no
opportunity for defence. / want to say again
as emphatically as l am able. that / will stand
for no man. no matter who he may be what
position he occupies. who takes money in this
department from any one for doing what the
law requires OF him. i cannot emphasize this
too strongly. and am glad of this opportunity
to set the department straight before the public
That is exceedingly pretty and all good citl
zens will rejoice TO know that Mr.. Guilfoye
will stand for no man who does wrong No
doubt he means il, but before he gets too indig-
nant he should examine himself and see If he
ever carelesSly. hy his own acts or failures to
act, spread abroad suspicion of the purity and
efficiency Of his department Before he grows
fearful about base calumnies let him explain
his reason for making few weeks ago false
charges against Mr.. W. Bayard Cutting Testi-
mony taken by the Tenement House Commission
showed that Mr.. Gulfoyle had shamefully neg
lected TO enforce the building law within his
Jurisdiction, though he himself not knowing
that the commission had investigated and had
figures, testified that the law was enforced and
all tenement houses had the required fire
escapes. Almost Immediately Mr. Guilfoyle
spread broadcast the statement that he had
caught Mr.. Cutting. the president Of that COM
mission, breaking the law. As n matter Of fact
Mr. Cutting was not the president or a member
of that commission, and he was not breaking
the law. and Mr.. Guilfoyle was subsequently,
compelled TO apologize for his mistake" He
has not yet apologizcd for letting hundreds Of
tenement houses stand without fire escanes in
violation OF law. explained how he came so
confidently 10 testify 10 n condition of things in
his borough which investigation did not bear
out. When Mr.. Guilfoyle straghtens out his
own record as efficient commissioner who
does not trump up false charges against citizens
toward whom he imagnes he has a personal
grievance il will be time enough for him 10
mount pedestal as the type OF the wronged
public official. At present the pious Mr. York.
fresh from promoting political favorites in vio-
lation of law by means OF doctored police
records, has the temple of official virtue all 10
himself