New-York tribune., 1906-12-06
ELLISON TAKES HOLD.
4 REAL INVESTIGATION.
No U7hite7cashing of Ahearn's Id
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Sit Up.

Interest in the proposed investigation of Bor-
ough President Ahearn's office was greatly slim
ulated yesterday by the announcement that
Corporation Counsel Ellison going TO have
charge Of the inquiry. While it was understood
that the Commissioners of Accounts had charge
of the inquiry, there a feeling that the in
vestgation would be Of the perfunctory sort.
and that it would not go further than a certif-
cation that the books were properly balanced.
With Corporation Counsel Ellison conducting
the inquiry it is entirely different Mr. Ellison
has demonstrated in the short time that he has
been IN Office that he believes in doing things.
Mr.. Ellison sent the following letter to the Citi-
zens Union:
Yesterday as you are probably aware. the
Mayor ordered a rigid and exhaustive investi-
cation Of the department Of the President or
the Borough Of Manhattan including all OF the
bureaus OF that department
The investigation to which have referred VIII
be conducted under my personal supervision
and now write to you asking that you fur-
nish me with the exact facts and means of
proof OF the charges recently made by you, ana
also any and all information that you may nave
relative to the conduct of the department to be
investigated.
I would like to have this information at your
earliest convenience and I shall welcome any
assistance that you may render
The SullIvans are nightly interested in the
Investigation now that there is going TO be
distribution of patronage by Borough President
AhearTl So has Charles f. Murphy. Mr.
Ahearn has supported Murphy in the lineup
Of the opposing Murphy and Mcclellan forces.
He was on Murphy's side at the Buffalo cOnven-
ton. his votes going TO Hearst. There is no rea-
son why Corporation Counsel Ellison should
show any particular tenderness for the Borough
Presidents office. looking at the matter from
political point Of view. Before the investigation
is a week old the Sullivan men expect 10 see the
friends Of Borough President Ahearn coming out
strongly in support Of Mayor Mcclellan as
against Charles F. Murphy.
Il is only fair to Borough President Ahearn
TO say that the Citizens Union at
tackled his administration he requested the
Mayor TO order investigation of his office. He
says that there is not single item of business
that he is afraid 10 have investigated. While
the Borough Presidents s integrity is not ques
toned. there is not the slightest doubt that Cor
poration Counsel Ellison viii turn up wholesale
grating in the department if he really goes at
his investigating task in earnest
When Corporation Counsel Ellison was seen
last night he said:
Mayor Mcclellan told me to make an investi-
cation. and I'm going TO make one. and a search
ing one, and give both sides every opportunity
70 have their say. The investisa tion will be
public and everything will be open and above
board There viii be no secret sessions. They
will all be open and in the City Hall. I have
assigned from this department, who on
behalf Of the Commissioners of Accounts, will
make a careful search Of all the affairs of the
various bureaus affected, with view OF bring
ing TO light every detail of the manner in which
the bureaus have been conducted While ft is
my intention to conduct the investigation my
self. I have planned to select certain Of my as
sisJants, who. under my direction. will give their
whole time to the matters under consideration
AS matters susceptible OF proof presented
I will call upon the Commissioners of Accounts
10 hold meetings, issue subpPnaS and compel the
attendance Of witnesses. They have these pow
ers, together with the power TO administer oaths
President AheaTn has asked for investigation
and the Mayor has ordered one
The Citizens Union. in its charges against
! President Ahearn, said that he had expended
over a million dollars without public letting of
contracts, had spent in two years nearly $4,000
for "incidentals." most Of which for car
fare. and $1,000 OF which spent by the
Bureau of Buildings; that he had been eXtraVa-
CANT in his purchase of supplies; that Superin-
tendent Walker of the Bureau of Buildings had
shown favoritsm In placing orders and had been
especially kind TO one firm; that the pavements
are in bad condition in twO-thirds of Manhattan
borough. and that the Bureau of Highways does
not maintain adequate inspection.
President AhedrIf characterized the pamphlet
as a mass of misinformation."