New-York tribune., 1907-10-29
WHITE BLAMES MAYOR.
Latter Eronerates Mr. Kennedy for
Prison Ship Shaft Oversight.

~'NCANioii
R. Kennedy yesterday from blame in connection
with the failure of those having the dedication
IN charge to send him an invitation to the
Prison Ship Martyrs Monument cornerstone
laying exercises at Fort Greene Park on Satur-
day.
1t developed yesterday that Congressman John
j. Fitzgerald. of Brooklyn, who introduced the
bill in the House for the monument, also was
overlooked in sending out the invitations. 1t
was said that Mr.. Fitzgerald had obtained the
impression that he was to be one of the speakers
at the celebration. and that he had his speech
almost ready When the Mayor asked
about the failure TO send him an invita-
ton in time for him to accept and prepare
remarks. he was dsinclined 10 say anything
that would any one pain or embarrass-
ment. but he did say that Mr.. Kennedy was
in way to blame for the oversight
When Mr.. Kennedy was asked yesterday
about the incident, he said: Il was not on the
committee having the exercises in charge. ana
did not know what the committee was doing.
Last week did receive a note from member
of the committee asking HE to call for the
Mayor with a carriage at l o'clock on Saturday.
/ was not Informed, and did not even suspect
that the Mayor was to speak, but supposed he
merely to attend being one of the COM
mission to erect the monument had my car
riage ready. and sent word up TO the City Hall
on Friday that I would call. The next morning
I learned from the Mayors Office that the Mayor
not aware he was expected 10 speak and
had gone out Of the city"
s. V. White, in charge OF the local arrange
ments for the cornerstone laying. commented
somewhat severely on the failure of the Mayor
to appear at the celebration. disclaimtng respon-
sibiIity for any alleged oversight and alleging
that the Mayor knew all about the date and
what he was expected 10 do. Mr.. White says
that when he told by the contractor that
the cornerstone must be laid in october he un-
dertook to bring about a meeting of Governor
Hughes, the Mayor and himself. as president OF
the Prison Ship Building Association. He says
that Governor Hughes agreed TO stop on his
way from Albany to jamestown on October o'
ard that for four days prior TO that day he laid
siege to the Mayors Office in attempt to get
a quorum of the commission together. On Oc-
tober g. Mr. White says, he visited the City
Hall and sent in word to the Mayor that the
cornerstone could not be laid without the formal
approval OF the commission. Continuing, Mr..
White said:
'I sent in word, also, that Governor Hughes
would be in his rooms at the Hotel Astor at
$50 O'Clock on October g. and that he would be
absent from the city at 1870 o'clock at night.
Word came out through his secretary that he
could not attend as he had engagement for
him through his secretary to take half hour
from the dinner and meet the Governor, so that
we could have a legal meeting, which. through
his secretary, he declined. I then took some OF
the official paper of the Mayors office and
wrote the minutes OF a meeting which we were
supposed 10 hold, and there were three resolu-
tions passed
'First-That we authorize and direct the
Iaying Of the cornerstone OF the monument at
2:3O. October 26
:" 'Second-That S. V. White be appointed
committee of one from the commission TO CO.
operate with a committee OF two from the
Building Association. with the power 10 arrange
a programme for the ceremony.
'Thrd-That each voted that we would
be present at the time and place in person to
take part in the ceremony
THAT paper I now have, headed by the we'll
known signature of George B. Mcclellan. Mayor.
and followed by that of Governor Hughes and
myself. If there is any dispute about this
will have 1000 copies OF this photographed and
furnished to the constituents of the Mayor"