New-York tribune., 1903-07-17
AVOIDED A GOOD PRICE.
FOR THE OLD SLIP PIER.
The Mysterious Kidney Heard from
He Promises to Testify.

Marshall B. Clarke Assistant District Attor-
ney in charge of the investigation of the old
Tammany Dock Board, yesterday across in
the records of the Dock Department additional
proof of the wiIfuI negligence of the old board
in its handling of the city's business. The case
against the old commissioners is now regarded
as exceptionally strong, and the testimony that
Mr.. Clarke is getting from people who had deal
ings with the old board is making it stronger
all the time. Yesterday Mr.. Clarke found that
the War Department on December 8, 1901, tried
to get a lease of the Old Slip Pier. The War
Department offered $4,000 a year. On motion
this application tabled until January l,
1902 when the new commissioner. Mr.. Hawkes.,
would take office The same action taken
at the last meeting of the old ~oard on De-
cenber 81. with reference TO important letters
from C. O'D. Iselin John B. Mcdonald and the
Union Stoclzyard and Market Company. But at
that last meeting at ? o'clock in the afternoon
of December 81 the old board in violation of
the law jarnmed through the famous Old
Slip Pier dumping board permit for the Brown
& Fleming Company. The War Departments
communication had explicit reference TO the
Old Slip Pier, as did also the etter from c.
O'D Iselin They were referred, they should
have been, to the incoming commissioner, but
the dumping board permit for the same pier TO
the Brown & Fleming Company. although in
the city, was rushed through for Mr.. Croker's
and MI Murphys personal friends, although
the charter prohibited the action taken.
Mr. Clarke was considerably elated yesterday
on receiving word that the elusive William L
Kidney had at last been found and had con-
sented to appear before him for examination.
Mr. Kidney is the man who had valuable leases
from the city which were subsequently given.
by the old Dock Board to the New-York Truck
ing and Contracting Company, which had as
stockholders Alderman James c. Gaffney and
ex-Councilman John J. Murphy. brother Of
Charles F. Murphy.
The information regarding Kidney was
brought to the District Attorneys office by Will
lam T. Kidney, a patrOlman. and a relative Of
Kidney In looking over the list Of Kidneys in
the City Directory. Mr.. Clarke took occasion to
question the patrolman, and found that he was
a relative The patrolman has succeeded in Sc
curing a promise from his relative to appear
and be questioned some time this week. Kid
ney has been at his Office in White-st for sew
eral DAYS Mr. Clarke said he understood that
Kidney received a fee of only 500 for the use
of his name and after that appeared merely as
a fgurehead.
Mr.. Clarke has been paying special attention
TO the granting of hlling-in contracts He be
Ueves that large sums were lost TO the city IN
| the granting of contracts to favored contrac-
amounts at less IIlaIl the 4SA'
Among those who had such contracts, MI
| Clarke mentioned the firm of Brown d Fleming.
| This firm. Mr Clarke said, had valuable con-
tracts on the East River. Another contract
| ne said. was held by George Hurley, Tor hlllng-
| in In the East River between Seventeenth ana
| Nineteenth SITS. Hurley. Mr. Clarke asserted
was n clerk employed by Brown q FleInlng'
/ He has been examined by Mr.. Clarke and
u.be,, asked u,hv he had such a contract said
! that # was really Tor Brown Flaming pUt
the firm did not wish other contractors 10 hio"
they had il. and his name was used.
/ Holbrook Cabot & DAILY have told MT ClarAt
| enc latter saws that the city lost consldera Die
| r1oney ON a contract given TO Mlchaei l. CuIl-
| rinpban a saloonkeeper at Fourteenth-St' ahc
| Mr. clarke said that Cunningham received Yea
ot1;,,,- i,, contract from Nineteenth-st- 10 1tWH
| +- fa7,rtbst on the East River, for Whlch NJ
! c';s Il JOu Without doing a stroke OF WuIF
hi--aIf or, the contract. he sold II 10 toIofook
! trh9t T. DaI,- for $4,000. This, ana other SIM
! - contracts MI Clarke said. showed crlhiul
| -,ac,l,gerce l,>, the old Dock Board
/ witness whom Mr.. Clarke desires pdL W NC
| Ii. 70 ouestion is NJ. B. Martin, VINO mas
] -;;ract fo,. the filng in at RlkerS IS4dHu- MI
| STr+i- te q uephew by marriage OF J. SeTse&iIl
| cSa-a ,be former president of the pocE boaIu
/ - C.la-Ea desires TO ask him Why ne sloui'
ia -n,tracts; how he happened to get me con con
@ 49,. and what influence, if any, ne ustd VIII
nc ,,ncie 10 secure IL at advantageous rates