New-York tribune., 1907-06-05
METZ TO HIS CRITICS.
THRUST At LAWYERS.
Controller Says He Is attacking
MethOdS, Not Men.

Controller Metz. whose attack on the Law De-
partment because of alleged wasteful condemna-
tion proceedings provokd n warm rejonder from
the assistant corporation counsels, returned yes
terday from Peekskill, where the I4th Regiment
Is encamped, and made partial reply to the
printed statements Of George r. Sterling and
Charles d. Oendorf. The Controller yesterday did
not attempt to ContTovert the figures used by Mr..
Olendorf. who showed that the Controller had paid
S2l5,00 for three parcels in Cherry street alleged
TO be worth only about half that sum but he took
occasion 10 say that he believed II was impossible
for lawyers 10 tell the truth say anything that
would hurt another lawyers feelings. for fear Of
doing something that might prevent them from
becoming Supreme Court Justices
Il am beginning to think" Mr. Metz said that
every lawyer IS ambitious 10 become q Supreme
Court judge, and on that account II Is impossible
for them TO tell the truth about other lawyers or
expose the wrongdong Of another LAWYER or do
anything 10 hurt the feelings or standing OF an
other lawyer. l am not candidate for public
Office, and can afford go ahead with any limo
of inquiry like. to bring about better condition
In the methods now IN vogue in acquiring land by
condemnation proceedings
Il read the statements by Messrs Sterling and
olendorf." the Controller continued "and was
rather surprised. I thought. from everything 7
had been told by Mt. Ellison. that his Office was
anxious 10 remedy certain manifest abuses IN the
methods used by the city IN acquiring land for clty
purposes. Before he became Corporation Counsel
I was told by his predecessor that nothing could
be done. was even refused in the Office Of
the assistant in charge Of the condemnation pro-
ceedings when began to raise the question as 10
excessive fees. When Mr. Ellison came In
reached an agreement with him and placed man
in the office. with the result that discovered that
some OF the commissioners holding two or
three meetings the same day in their own ofHces
in various parts Of the city and charging for
all these meetings; that inadequate minutes were
kept of these proceedings and that the system was
in demoralized condition | issued orders that
compelled the commissions meet in a public
place where correct minutes could be kept Of the
proceedings. succeeded in efTecting considerable
economies in the proceedings
II desire TO say In this connection that am not
attacking men Mr. Metz said. II am attacking
wasteful and slovculy methods would be in
better the part OF the gentlemen who
have attacked personally for them 10 coop
crate with me In reforming the grossly extrava-
CANT methods in use. have a high regard for
Mr.. Sterling. and l know that he stands ready to
work with I'm using short cut methods that
mean a saving of the city's money. never make
general charges I also know what I am talking
about I know the difference between what is fair
and right in the buying and selling OF land, I
also have a line TWO the way some of these
so-callcd city experts operate. l am very glad
that the Cherry street transa elton mentioned
! viii have more o say about that tomorrow.
That matter up when had been two months !
in office having been begun under my predeces-
sor high price paid for those lots in Cherry
street because the iOFpOFduDn COUNSEL y OlHCe |
nearly two years before fixed high price for land
needed in that locality for bridge anchorages. |
would not be surprised if the finance department |
had made mistakes in Judgment II the gentle |
men who raised the issue have nothing any |
one connected with my Office them to make |
It public and not foster mystery by insinuatons |
and inuendoes. l told when ! took up the |
question of wastefulness in connection with
claims that I could not do anything. But with |
very little effort delay put into practice rule
claims be presented |
within six months Of the occurrence Of the dam
age and the abuses have almost wholly stopped.
'CandidIy" the Controller said. lit is unknd for
Mr. Sterling say that the city could afford to
pay $1,000 a year to stay away from the Stew
art Building altogether. Why, if l had stayed
away. my friend Sterling might not have received
substantial raise in his salary that I glad
to stand for because l felt that he deserved It.
guess he die: not mean all that he said in that re-
spect."
Assistant Corporation Counsel Dunn yesterday
wrote the Controller a letter asking him If he in
tended to buy at private sale the land needed by
the city for the Rockaway park. The Board OF
Estimate and Apportionment authorized the Con
troller on March % last to go ahead. Mr.. Dunn in
his letter says:
My understanding of the matter is that you were
given this power with n view of the possibility
of acquiring this property at better prices than
and with view Of saving the expense naturally
incidental TO such proceedings
goIatos mst57on % g y,ite sale. W hafber T anV @
PP62Pon Of n # has been AT purchase and wheher it IS
your purpose to avail Yourself Of the powers given
mate and ApportiOnmcnt
If you have determined not to exercise the power
given to you am now instructed to take the neces-
sary proceedings acquire the property by con-
demnation and am now ready 70 move In that
direction Immediately.
R0CKAWAY PARK DIFFICULTY.