New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-06-25
MARGINS AS BRIBES.
An Easy Woy of Paying for
Privileges in Bull Days.

District Attorney Jerome and his assistant
Marshall e Clarke. are trying to verify infor-
nation left with them which pUrports TO describe
how certain prominent Tammany men with con-
nections with the old Dock Board made heap
Of money 1t is alleged that it was made a
condition that for favors granted by the DOCK
Department the men who received these tavors
should carry stocks for designated men in the
Dock Department.
1t is alleged that this plan of carrying stocks
for favors received became an established sys-
tenn. and that it explains in part the large FORT
unes of certain Tammany district leaders
Messrs Jerome and Clarke are trying TO deter
mine whether this information is true or not
1t was the custom of the engineers OF the
Dock Board to make out acquisitions for certain
supplies In the rebuilding of the Cheised
vbarves. on the North River, there was a vast
expenditure of public money, with great deai
of new construction work As soon as the
raouisitions were made out various contractors
were informed. If they showed a disposition TO
fake part in doing work for the board they would
be called up on the telephone by some one whose
identity was concealed and told that If they
wanted to do business with the Dock Board
thew must see So-and- Sometimes it would ne
a prominent Tammany lawyer. and at other
times a we'll known politician. 1t is alleged that
II frequently happened that when directions
were not followed there was nothing doing
When directions were followed the one seeking
a favor would be asked to show his good feehnS
toward the department by standing for GER
tain things One of these things was TO stand
FOR carving certain number Of shares OF
stock for people in Tammany Han
A BULL. MARKET HELPED THE GAME
As there was bull market good deal of the
time from 1898 to 1902, this carrying of stock
in exchange for courtesies granted became
freouent expedient il is asserted If the market
went wrong the man who got the favor Woulc
have to stand the marginal loss the stocks
When the market went right. and as d RUE II was
possibIe for some one to get straight tips.
go, one was happy and all obligations were
liqu6ated.
Tbo former Tarrnany Dock Commissioners
MAssrs Murphy. Cram and Meyer, now expecc
70 escane permanent embarrassment on ac-
count of their failure to conduct the AFFAIRS OF
the old board in the interest Of the taxpayers oy
the statute of limitations. An indictment Tor
rnisdemearor must be found within TWO years
after the commission OF the act 1t now IS
eighteen months since the old DOCK Board IeIt
Office the Murphyites have boldly asserted
tha+ Il will he easy to stave off indictments
until after election, and that II II goes so long
notbinr will be done at all as the statute of
limitations will be in force on January l.
This may be a promising OUTLOOK TOT MI
MUMMY bnt il does not suit Peter F. Meyer and
T cargaart Cram. who. while Mr.. Murphy was
,,l IN tbe summer and fall of 1901. had TO do
all the work os the board. Some of the most
,,s,;cious leases granted by the board we're
signed IN December. 1901.
MURPHY MADE THE PRICES
7, has been saying for some time among the
-, r,ocL Roard employees that Charles r.
,turphy who was treasurer of the board made
u the prices" and that his clerk Mr. Collins.
never allowed anything important TO be closed
without first submitting the figures 70 MI
Murphy. Mr.. Murphy was rot at MS once