New-York tribune., 1903-07-28
ATTACKS MR. HAFFEN.
Says He Did Not Try to Get Vest
chester Bridge Built.
BRONX CITIZENS HOLD MEETING.


The Citizens Improvement Association of the
Annexed district, held a mass meeting last
night at schrings Hail. Union Court, to hasten
the construction of the Westchester-ave. bridge
over the Bronx River. About five hundred were
present Nicholas ]. O'Connen presiding On
the platform were ex-Councilman W. J. Hyland,
Albert G. Davis. president of the North Side
Board of Trade; Tax Commissioner Wells. AS
semblyman Wainwright, Alderman Frank Gass
Congressman Goulden, Michael E. Devlin, ex-
Judge Arthur Butts and Henry A Gumbleton.
secretary to Borough President Eafen.
Speeches were made by Assemblyman VAIN
wright and Tax Commissioner Wells Mr.
Gumbleton, who followed Mr.. Wells expressed
the regret of Mr.. Haffen at his inability to be
present because of a previous engagement, but
said that he was able to inform his hearers that
Mayor Low had that day signed the resolution
Of the Board Of Estimates and Apportionment
authorizing the city TO enter into contract with
the New-York New-Haven and Hartford Rail-
road to assume half the expense Of the construc-
ton OF the bridge over the tracks at Westches-
ter-ave.
At this point in the audience demanded
that the reason for the delay Of seven years in
the approval of the final plans for this bridge
should be told by the representatives of the
district and the responsible officials of the
borough
Park Commissioner Eustace of The Bronx
was the next speaker. He was followed by Pres
ident Hans of the North Side Board of Trade
There were then cries for Councilman HyIand
In speech he made bitter attack on Borough
President Haffen, on whom he placed the direct
responsibility for the failure to complete the
bridge He said that when Mr.. Haffen was
Commissioner of Streets, in 1895 he had great
power, and that if he had then interested him
self in the district he would have seen to it that
its residents got the bridge they SO much
needed.
Mr.. Hyland declared that Mr. Haffen had not
sufficient determination to cope with the New
York, New-Haven and Hartford Railroad peo-
pie who were not anxious TO have the bridge
constructed. He said that the only sign of
activity at the bridge to-day is the construction
Of a saloon.
built it?" asked Mr.. Hyland eff he had not the
promise of some borough official that he would
not be molested for at least year,"
Mr.. Hy1and said that he had gone to Mr.
Haffen and explained about the failure to begin
the construction Of the necessary approaches,
and that he had replied evasively. Mr. Hyland
said that he told the Borough President that
if the approaches were not started at once he
would not get any votes in the Union Port and
w eSIcheSter sections OF The Bronx. "a few
days later" said Mr.. Hyland. approaches that
were utterly inadequate for a double trolley
track were built"
This was done to give Mr.. Haffen an oppor-
tnuity to place the blame on the railroad com
pany for any further delay" he continued
Those approaches were placed for political
purposes
MT Gumbleton rose to reply to Mr.. Hyland
ana accused the latter a lack of interest in
lne project for the four year that he was
member of the City Council
Mr. Hyiand in reply, said that he had in
troduced alb i'll in the City Council providing
FOR the construction of the bridge but much
OF the opposition to its passage came from the
hrm OF Gumbleton & Hatenroth. Before he
| could continue Mr.. Gumbleton sprang to his
feet and cried out:
There is not a word Of truth In Mr. Hy-
lands statement
Then Mr. Hyland qualified his statement bv
saying that he referred principally to the other
member Of the firm, Mr. Hattenrotb
The last speaker was Michael E. Dev1in He
said: We have heard through the secretary of
MI Hafren that we are to have the bridge 7 ct
US await the outcome. Get ready for him nv,
friends, and be ready If we do not obtain our
demands, to fay him alive"