New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-01
POLICE PREVENT RIOT.
Charge That Hafen Juggled DC
counts Made at Meeting.
DISORDER INTERRUPTS SPEAKERS

Sensational charges Of juggling with public
funds were made against Borough President
Haffen of The Bronx by ex-Councilman william
J. Hyland last evening at meeting held at
Kearney's. West Chester. under the auspices Of
the City Improvement Association of the An
nexed District. The meeting was held 10 take
action on several improvements which the resi-
dents OF West Chester and Ur IMPORT have de-
manded for some time.
The meeting promised to develop into a riot.
and IL was feared that serious trouble would
have resulted If it had not been for the pres
ence OF Captain Walsh and twenty policemen Of
the West Chester station.
Nicholas J. O'Connor the chairman. intro
duced as the first speaker Tax Commissioner
Wells. who pointed out how the citizens of
West Chester might. by concerted action. obtain
the improvements they desired A long letter
was read from President Haffen. giving details
Of the progress of the various improvements IN
which West Chester people interested. and
saying they would all be brought to an early
conclusion.
Alderman Frank Gass followed. and laid on
the residents themselves blame for their failure
10 get the improvements.
Park Commissioner Eustis slightly Kissed
when introduced. and when order was restored
he said the improvements were Of necessity
slow in being brought to a head. and that Pres-
touched on.
owen Doran spoRe I'm a similar strain.
Ex-Judge Arthur c. Butts introduced as
representative Of President Haffen.
Why doesn't he come himself?' some one
shouted.
Ex-Judge Butts said that Mr.. Hafen had
made a previous engagement, and he himself
had come to make Mr.. Haffen's excuses. He
declared that every fair minded man would take
Mr.. Haffen at his word. Another interruption
from the audience ELECTED the statement from
Judge Butts that he was not present to answer
questions Of a political nature. and that Mr..
Haffen was ready to meet his accusers and de-
fend his private and his official acts. Politics
had crept into the meeting. he said. because it
was feared, as he gathered from the remarks of
the chairman. that delegation from fremont
was prepared TO disturb the meeting.
What have you against Mr. Haffen?' he
asked. followed by shout of Nothing at all"
and Kisses IF there has been any delay in the
improvements in your section, you place the
blame Mr.. Haffen?" Cries Of Yes" and
Nor
Judge Butts maintained that in season and
out Of season Mr.. Haffen was working for the
interests Of all sections of the borough. For
the Westchester-ave. bridge he had done all In
his power to further its construction Judge
Haffen's Official record
Ex-Councilrnan Hyland was received with ap-
plause. but il was evident that the majority Of
the audience hostile to him. Every other
sentence was interrupted by cries OF Throw
him down. Make good"' and similar express
sions. He persisted in talking, however, and
declared that Mr.. Haffen permitted the Union
Railway Company TO control The Bronx, and
that certain engineers in the employ OF The
Bronx spent good deal OF time working for the
Union Railway Company. The audience again
cried down Mr.. Hyland, but he declared he
would be responsible for all the statements he
would make.
The chairman here announced that II there
were many more interruptions he would instruct
the police 10 clear the hall. Mr.. Hyland tried
to proceed. but it impossible account
Of the noise and he said he would stop and
give the facts 10 the reporters
Mr.. Hyland charged that b. c. Collier,
gineer under President Haffen. in November
last worked twenty-four days for the Union
Railway Company with seven or eight other
gneers. The daily time sheet in Mr.. Haffen's
Office. he said would show that Collier worked
every day Of November for the Union Railway
Company. and that the city had received for
that work about $40 although, counting his
salary, IL was 81. 100 a year
Mr.. Hyland asked what has become Of the
Sbturo fund for preliminary survey Of streets.
and answered his own question by saying that
il had been used for building up a political
people didn't want 10 hear the truth when it
applied 10 Mr. Haffen- Ex-Judge Butts resented
Mr.. Hyland'S remarks and the meeting broke
up in disorder There were about five hundred
present.