New-York tribune., 1903-07-08
BENSEL MUST EXPLAIN.
DON'T MENTION PRICES. "
G@fney and Murphy Ordered to
Bring Their Books to Hearing.

Joili j. Murphy and James Z. Gaffney were
Suppohnaed yesterday at Tammany Hall to bring
with them to the hearing this afternoon before
Justice Mayer, at the Criminal Courts Building
the books of the New-York Contracting and
trucking Company. This is the company which
obtained large favors in the way of pier and
dumping board leases from the old Dock Board
Murphy and Gaffhey were city officials in 1900
When the company was organized and were still
hoIdlng offices when, in 1901 they solicited and
obtained leases for piers and dumping boards
from the Murphy Dock Board. The hearing be-
lore Justice Mayer is called for I D. m
Chlef Engineer John A. Bensel of the Dock
department is likely to be called as a witness in
the present investigation account Of informa-
ton which has reached Assistant District At
torney Clarke. A. c. Chenoweth a contractor.
was one of the witnesses yesterday After he
went away it was learned that he had told Mr.
Clarke very fully about his efforts TO secure
leases under the old board 1t is said that Mr..
Clarke obtained from him statement that
after he had written to the Dock Department
offering certain price for a lease he was called
to the department by Chief Engineer BenseI and
told that if he wanted anything in the way of
leases not to say anything in his letters about
prices he was willing to pay. What Mr.. Clarke
wants to know now is Who told Mr.. Bensel 10
give Mr.. Chenoweth any such instructions?
Chenoweth told of many unsuccessful efforts
he made to get possession of certain docks in
this city. He found when he made bid for
docks others also made the same bid or better
one
James McTeague, contractor and partner Of
Joseph Egan, lessee of the West Twenty ninth
st. bulkhead, was one of the witnesses yesterday.
Mr. McTeague told Mr.. Clarke that when it oc-
CURED to him that he could make money on a
filling in contract he went to Nicholas Hayes,
his district leade.. and asked him to use his in
huence in getting some kind of a contract from
the cid Dock Board. He said he knew Egan at
that time only as a clerk in William H. Burke s
coal yard When the contract was secured it
was a joint affair, with Egan as a partner.
When asked about Egan's signature, he said he
could not recognize it. He had little to do with
his partner. When money to be paid to the
city on their contract he drew his check. He
showed a receipt from Charles F. Murphy,
treasurer of the board, acknowledging the pay
ment Of $3.50. McTeagUe says he never kept any
books.
Mr. Clarke has been informed that John j.
Murphy Charles F. Murphys brother, got from
the old Dock Board a contract for filling at
East Twenty-third-st and that Mr.. Murphy at
the same time contracted with the firm of Hol-
brook, Cabot & DAILY to take care of their sub
way dirt. The subway firm has the section be-
tween Great Jones and Thirty-third SITS. Mr..
Clarke has been informed that Mr.. Murphy
cleared a profit of $61 900 in two years on this
single contract.
Mr. Clarke said he was still looking for Will
lam l. Kidney, who, he thinks, was dummy
officer of the New-York Contracting and Truck
ing Company He is also looking for e. 1.
Gafney, who was listed treasurer of the cor
poration. Mr.. Clarke thinks tha4 E. .Gaffney
is a brother of Alderman Gaffney. Mr.. Clarke
said he also looking for the books of this
company, but could not find them. All that is
file at the County Clerks Office is the certif-
cate of Incorporation