New-York tribune., 1906-12-27
BENSEL UNDER FIRE.
F4VORITISM rs CHARGED.
Sad That Morse Lines Hare Inside
Track on Dock Privileges.

John J. Delsuy, former Corporation Counsel,
yesserday before The Sinking Fund Commission
tutinaated that the Morse steamship interests
have TIE inside track with Dock Commissioner
Bensel. and that the Dock Department discrim-
mates against other business interests Mr..
Delsny charged Dock Commissioner Bensel with
rspudiating. letters and not answering business
communications
Mr. Deiany appeared before the Sinking Fund
Commission for James w ElweIl G. Co. OF the
Fabre Steamship Line. which is seeking TO OBJ
tain a long term lease OF the West 44th street
pier The contention over the pier has been on
for more than a year
When Mr.. Delany said yesterday that the
Dock Commissioner had repudiated written let
ters. Mayor McClelisn interrupted with the re-
mark:
THAT Is a serious accusation How will you
explain it?"
Mr.. Delany said he would do so by letters.
THE Fabre Line has been in business sew
snty-four years" he said. 'It wants to get
Dock in New York It means much TO the city
20 have this line here. The United States
Tra Gsportation Company has been organized
ONLY two months I don't why we shouldn't
have our rights IL we make better offer"
Mr. Delany then read letters TO Commissioner
Bensei making offers for tho 44th street pier,
and the reply Of the Commissioner that changes
were contemplated ana that the offers could not
be accepted then. Mr.. Delany said an offer to
pey $4,000 a year for the pier. with an in
crease OF B per cent for a renewal OF ten years
and a payment Of 513 per cent Of the cost Of a
shed 10 DO built by the city. had been made by
the Fabre Line. but that the Dock Commits
sioner replied that the offer did not commend
Itself adequate
And Yet it is larger than any offer made.'
naid Mr Delsny. Now. June 25 we sent
accepted. but asking the Commissioner 10 tell
Us what he regarded as a fair rental and we
never received an answer"
Commissioner Bensel said that the only lease
he would authorize was one for twenty years
snd not for thirty
II was my intention TO have the Fabre Linz
In Brooklyn. and we are trying 10 arrange
that" he said. Il consider the other company
the best for the city as we ought TO foster that
class OF trade AS for my not answering COM
munIcations. all letters were followed up by
visits Of counsel. and for my not naming
Office to name price"
Then MIR. Delany made an offer:
il the proceedings are held up six weeks so
llle can ne taken 10 the dock property in
Brooklyn, and We are assured we will get dock
age. We are willing 10 go there, but want
our rights and have q prior right In every
thing 10 this new company
During the discussion that preceded Mr. De-
lany's final offer he told OF a meeting with the
nOunced that he never intended 10 give the
Fabre company d lease Of the 44th street pier.
This new company offers $4,000 for ten
years and per cent OF the cost Of construction
OF the she'd and yet they get in addition 220
feet OF bulkhead," he declared.
But" said the Mayor the United States
company offers a 10 per ceE- increase on the
renewal"
Amy way you figure" protested Mr.. Delany
s'you cannot arrive az as large and advanta-
Eeous an ofier as ours. II is awful thing
when company springing Up now gels dock
age oversha doWtng company - business forty
four years"
Ladin Kellogg appeared for the United States
Transportation Company He said II was a
cold Organization, with capital OF SJOO0O.
1.-THE company Is all right" interrupted Mr.
Metz I've Investigated st."
Mr.. Kellogg" asked the Mayor. there seems
60 be some curiosity about the persons behind
the company Who are they?"
''The Quintar6 Iron Works" replied Mr. KEEL
logg.
Senator Patrick II. McCarren's name came up
during the controversy. II was rumored that he
was attorne, for the United States Transporta-
ton COMPANY, but Controller Metz denied this
He used to be counsel for the Elwel people"
he said
Finally. the whole matter was laid over.