New-York tribune., 1902-06-14
OLD DOCK BOARD PROBED.
INTERESTING THINGS LEARNED BY
MESSRS HAWKES. AND WALLACE
CURRY INTO LEASES BY THE TAM
MANY COMMISSIONERS

MANY COMMISSIONERS.
Dock Commissioner Hawkes. and Deputy Com
, missioner Wallace have asked Corporation Coun-
sci Rives for an opinion respecting the leases of
certain bulkheads and piers made under the Tam
many administration. Mr. Wallace SAYS there
a great number of leases which were made
far below the value of the property and it is
his intention. if possible, to break them. If he
is successful in his undertaking, it will mean
thousands of dollars to the city Mr. Wallace
declares that the rent obtained by the city on a
number of pieces of property is only about
sixth of its value
We have taken UP an example"
said Mr.. Wallace Yesterday. because the de-
cision of the Corporation Counsel on that one
case will govern all the others. The leases were
made without proper consideration being paid
to the city In other words. under the last ad-
ministraton they leased man a piece of prop
erty. such as a pier or bulkhead, for $1,000
$1,000 when it was really worth 5000 or
$4,000 We shall try to establish by expert testi-
mony what these piers bukheads are worth.
1t Is just like selling piece of city property
worth 5000 for one-fifth of that sum. In other
words, the last administration, we believe,
squandered the property of the city. After we
receive opinion from the Corporation Coun-
sci, taxpayers suit may be started to set
aside these leases on the ground of inadequate
compensation. the city may begin an action
itself At any rate. such an action will be be
gun. If the courts should hold as we believe
they will. that the compensation for these pieces
of property is grossly inadequate of course the
inference is that the making Of the leases was
fraudulent
We have also been Investigating the doings
Of certain dockmasters and we have got at
the truth. There are twenty-seven dockmasters
employed in the department Each one is as
signed TO district along the waterfront. and
it is his duty to collect the wharfage all
canal boats, barges and the like Important
firms have a credit here and do not pay to the
dockmasters. We quietly set TO work, and L
have found that there has been a great deal of
corruption and backmaiI in the department.
The dockmasters have large powers For in
stance. if you want to get wharfage at certain
place the dockmaster will find some way of dis
appointing you He will say probably that he
has promised the dock to other persons, but
little brbe fixes the matter to the satisfaction of
all concerned 1 have found that the bribes
range from SO to 500. The business men have
come to look the system as a necessary evil
| ferreted out one or two cases. but my great
est difficulty get men to admit that tney
had been blaCkmaied. They feared the dock
masters would get back at them 1 finally got
one or two men to come forward. and as re-
suit one of the dockmasters has been dismissed
We have legal evidence that he has been black
mailing We have shifted the dockmasters from
one district another, and are gradually hIo-
ing out the trustworthy men
Mr. Wallace saws he has had the greatest
difficulty in Strengthening the affairs OF the de-
partment He has been at work since January
l. and only feels that the greatest ABUSES
have been overcome
IN the old days" he said. the commissioners
used TO come down here only two or three uIlies
a week, whenever some important tnlls Hau
TO be attended to- At all other times the ASSIST
ants and clerks would run the dePartlllei.c TUNE y.
Often. | have learned, important papers hdG 70
he taken to the office of Peter F. Meyer ana 10
the saloon of Charles F. Murphy for their atIen-
tion When il was absolutely necessary they
would droD in at this office for few moments
/ The contrast with the present heads OF the de-
partment is interesting Commissioner ma" ne ne
and Deputy Commissioner Wallace are at the
office at all times. and frequently remain untI
IL and l. o'clock at night When a Question
arises involving the passing upon a pier IheE
take one of the tugbOats of the department. ana
survey the property
The 'treasurer's orders scandal WhlCn cails
to light on Thursday has been the suD9eCI u
an investigation by Messrs. Hawkes. and wal
lace ever since the first of the year
THE way they managed the thing. saio MI
Wallace Yesterday, was unique and interest
ing There was a 'rakeoff wherever II was pos
sibIe TO get it, The old commissioners used TO
60 through the form of asking for bids from
business men In the particular lines OF work
done in the department, but II always happeheu
that the favortes of the commissioners were
the lowest bidders. 1t got to be we'll understood
among legitimate contractors that there was no
use OF bidding. They created that impression
throughout the trade. Now 1t is pecorIlns gen
orally understood that every bidder has an equal
chance We have found the names OF everybody
OF Importance in the various trades ana are get
ting their confidence We shall treat everybody
alike. The old commissioners were Care1ul not
to violate the law. but they abused its spirit
am told upon good authority that many Tam
many politicians were Interested IN the nrilS
that got the contracts under the last admins