New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-22
WAY CLEAR FOR JEROME
IN OLD DOCK BOARD CASE.
Action against Murphy, Cram and
Neyer Bay Be Pushed.

Assistant District Attorney Marshall B.
Clarke after vacation OF Eve or six weeks. re-
turned 70 his once In the Criminal Courts
Building yesterday and tackled mass OF data
concerning the Dock Board investigation which
he was compelled 20 drop six weeks ago Mr.
Clarke is looking brown and hearty. having been
collins snd dshins In the Adirondacks. He is
az independent 81 politics. and. although his
chief seems TO he much opposed 10 the renomi-
nation OF Mayor Low NIr. Clarke said yester-
day ina; De would support the Mayor.
4 am not as familiar with the accomplish
rncnts OF the other large departments as ! am
with what has been done by the Dock Depart
11ent" said Alr. Clarke. II the improvements
in the ether departments have been COM
riensurate with The work under Commissioner
Hawkes.. I think Il Is the duty OF all good citi-
zeus 10 support the fusion administration
haven't anything 10 say about particular can
oldates."
Although Ar Clarke had little 70 say about
the Dock Board prosecution. he admitted that
he was ready 20 begin where he left of when
the vacation period sidetraclzed the investiga-
tion II was learned tina; the Finance Depart
rnent has asked Tor certain papers IN the case
This action was taken after The Tribune and
other papers attacked and exposed the report
or the Dock Board leases which gave the old
Deck Board clean bin OF health This report
vas made in the absence Of Controller Crout.
and when Deputy Controller Stevenson learned
q the peculiar record Of The man who had fur
rished the report he ordered another inVestiga-
tion. The Controller Il he sees At can cancel
leases between the city and persons when there
Is presumptive evidence that the city has been
wroneed.
The dismissal on technical grounds OF Alder
man Carney from custody yesterday by Justice
r3ischoT OF the Supreme Court viii tend 10 clear
,be decks for the prosecution Of the major in
..,estigsfior. involving Charles + Murphy. lead
o. OF Tammany Hall; J. Sergeant Cram. chair
man Of the General Committee OF Tammany
Hall and Peter F. Meyer. Richard Crokers
business partner until May l last. These three
Dock Commissioners uncer Mayor Van Wyck
conducted the affairs OF their department IN
such manner as 10 warrant criminal action
1,v District Attorney jerome. who on July =
last in the Supreme Court, before Justice
Bischon. made the following declaration;
desire TO .ny that on June 10 last a Grim
snail action was commenced against Charles
D. Murphy. Peter y. Meyer and ,. Sergeant
Cram. THE Information was laid before
Magistrate Mayer. and a. &C. I'm writing aud
describes the nature OF the crime. fts date.
and that Il wa. committed within the period
prescribed by the statute 90 Limitations, and
committed within the County Of New
York.
Assistant District Attorney Clarke VIII 90
nothing iu the Dock Board prosecution until he
has consulted with AIr. jerome, who is expected
at his Office tomorrow.
The evidence in the District Attorneys Office
IL believed &c be sufficient 10 warrant vigorous
action against the old Dock Commissioners.
There never has been any denial Of the fact
that there was ring which profited enormous
" by Charles F. MUrphy's favoriJism The only
question has been whether il was possible 10
prove case Of criminal neglect Of duty against !
the old hoard. The District Attorney Up 70 date
has been fotled in his efforts 20 get the books
q the Nev-Zorh Contracting and Trucking
Company. owned by the Murphys and Gaffneys. /
AN order by the grand jury 70 produce the
hooks was dlsregorded by the firms bookkeep-
ers II is regarded as likely that If District At
sorney jerome orders the prosecution OF the
case 20 advance at once the books Of the COM
pany can be obtained.