New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-09
LITTLETON RAPS CIRCUIT,
Hot Time at the Board of Estimate
Meeting.

Borough President Littleton Of Brooklyn and Con-
troller Grout had it hot and heavy at the Board
Of Estimate meeting yesterday. the Raymord-st-
Jail being. a on previous occasions. the bone OF
contention Mr.. Littieton almost called the Con-
troIler a liar and told him the Controller was not
going to the Borough President Of Brooklyn
The dispute started the long pending pro-
posed park al Avenues I and J. in Flatbush- Inc
park laid out by firm OF real estate specu-
lators and was put the citv map by the Board
Of Estimate eighteen months ago. Mr.. Grout ex-
pected 20 get the land at private sale for about
500 a lot. Since then. he saws. the real estate
firm has sold some of the land. and IT is held at
$1,000
Mr.. Littleton moved that the Corporation Counsel
be instructed to begin condemnation proceedings
Mr. Grout objected and said the real estate people
had acted in good faith.
You disregard the facts. Mr.. Controller" Mr.
Lhttleton said. Men from Office have investi-
gated and they report to me that lots have been
sold since the land nut the city map as
a park"
1T is an attempt to hold I'D the city," Mr. Grout
began.
The Controller should be prepared TO prove
charges when he makes them Mr.. Iittleton inter-
rupted. L do not believe he can prove what he
says. I would not vote for this II I thought there
was anything dishonest IN It. but Brooklyn needs
parks and I satisfied that trust the
commissioners who may be appointed to condemn
the land"
The subject was tabled
Some time ago the grand jury in Brooklyn made
presentmert cOndem1ing the Raymond-st.
jail. Mr. Lttleton made investigation and de-
cided that instead OF the expensive structural al
teratlOns recommended $4,000 spent in plumbing
would correct ne abuses complained Of The
Board Of Aldermen voted to give him $4,000. Mr..
Grout objected. and presentedSa report from his
engineer recommending the expenditure of about
$3.50 OOO Mr.. L.ttleton objected to this. and Mr..
Grout finally agreed TO for the $4,000 II MFR.
LAttletCn would send n report to him. Mr.. Little
ton sent the report, but It did not satisfy Mr.
Grout. and yesterday each member Of the board
received a statement signed by the Controller
complaining that Mr.. LIttleton purposed repairing
the plumbing in the mems part Of the RaymOnd-st.
Jail and leaving the wOmens quarters. the subject
of the grand jury's presentment. untouched
AIr. Grout suggested that the board send its
gtneer investigate the needs Of the jail and act
as he might report.
When the calendar was finished 1t was Mr..
IittIeton's time for action.
IT want to say right here" he said that the
time has come for give warning to the
Controller. I wish to tell him that under the
charter he can hold only Office. the
Borough President Of Brooklyn and he IS the
Controller. He is not running my Office and he
cannot run me. I wish to give him that warning
now. and do give it to him and tell him that II
stands for eighteen months
You should not speak in that way interrupted
the Controller This is no place.
This is the place" retorted Mr. Lttleton, hotiy.
This Interference Of yours is absolutely unjustihSd
am carrying out my duty I see It, and I will
suffer no man to interfere with me. This is no
business OF yours"
This is our business said Mr.. Grout- II con-
scented to vote for the $4,000 asked for by the Presi
dent OF Brooklyn because believed that the Presi-
dent OF Brooklyn would send me reports, as he
promised. Ii with that understanding that l
induced to vote"
If you say" said Mr.. LittletOn. shaking his fin.
ger at the Controller. his face very white. that
offered any inducement which not carried out
you tell-yOu say what Is not true
Il do say precisely that said Mr.. circuit My
vote was Induced that promise. That promise
has not been carried out No report from the BOr-
ouGh President has reached justifying his ac-
ton
You have my statement" said Mr. Idttleton.
land while IL may not appeal 10 You. there are
others in the community 20 whom Il may appeal
But / want say 10 the Controller that no amount
Of threats amount Of bambOozitng, no amount OF
threatening with the vengeance OF the grand
fury will have influence on me"
Mr. Grout insistent- He moved that the en-
matter be referred 10 the boards engineer TO
take up the grand jury's presentmert- There
second to the motion Mr.. FOTnes went to the
rescue the Mayor whispering to him 10 do sol with
q motion to adjourn. IL was declared carried, al
though nobody voted for or against it,