New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-04-02
THRASHED MR. GORMAN.
Floor Flange Man fingered By
HOpper,s Assistant. 1t Is Said.

The most drastic development OF the opposi-
tion TO the Department Of Buildings. under the
supeTntendency OF Isaac A. Hopper. occurred
last Wednesday afternoon, when. it is declared,
prominent manufacturer OF plumbing sup
plies made savage attack on Assistant Super
intendent Bernard J. German. The meuufact-
urer was Frank Meyer. OF the Meyer. Sniffen
Company, No. East 19th-st., and, according to
spectators, he was gOaded into striking Cor
man BY that oficiars remarks
The trouble was made public yesterday by
several OF the manufacturers who had been
called 10 Superintendent Hoppers office 10 test
the floor hanges which they manufacture
Three or four of the companies had met with
the disapproval of the department, and their
goods had been practically barred from use in
the city. They had appealed TO Borough Presi-
dent Ahearn, who revoked the order allowing
the use Of only two fanges. They say the new
plan was TO make the further tests impossibIy
severe, and accomplish the purpose Of the origi-
nal order. Said one OF the manufacturers:
We had not been long in Mr. Hopper's office
when II became perfectly plain that there was
a prearranged scheme to knock on the head all
approved fIanges, one after another and then
the two special favorites would be ESTABLISHED in
spite or Mr.. Ahearn'S action. In a few moments
Bernard J. German, Mr.. Hopper's understudy
who has displaced Assistant Superintendent
JOHN = Jordan as the boss when Mr. Hopper
is away, drifJed into the scene and interrupted
FFaJlk Meyer, Of the Meyer Sniffen COMPANY
NnS was asking AT. Hopper why he could not
have made such ruling six months ago
None OF your insinuationsr' German cried
You said the other day at public hearing on
this hange question that Mr.. Andrews and l
were responsible for all the delays and trouble
and want 10 say that you are loafer!
You are liar!"
Backing away at each epithet he had nearly
reached the water cooler, about fifteen feet
away. when Mr.. Meyer made a rush for Mr..
German, and smashed him in the face
throwing him against a partition and over the
water bottle, giving him short arm iabs and
punches until he was pulled away by the clerks
and others who came running from all parts of
the big room, with cries OF "Cut it OUT" Mean
while Superintendent Hopper was wringing his
hands and crying:
''Oh! Gentlemen! Gentlemen
It took the combined efforts OF several men
20 pull Mr.. Meyer away from German, who was
getting the worst OF II. When Mr.. German found
himself "in the hands OF his friends" he loudly
called for the police and yelled: Put that man
out OF the buildingr' Mr.. Meyer apologiZed to
Mr.. Hopper briefly and departed, the police not
having appeared on the scene.
Herbert s. Renton, Of No. I10 Nostrand-ave..
Brooklyn. declared yesterday that he would on
Monday prefer formal charges against Supern-
tendent Hopper. He will tell Mr.. Ahearn that
unfair practices are still going and that ia
Vcritism is shown. NJ Renton's factory is at
No. 234 Etate-st.. Brooklyn, and his ianges have
been disapprOved with the others.