New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-01-30
FOR MURPHY FIRM
PIER PERMIT REVOKED.
City Paid $4,000 a Year to Dunn D
There, Getting 81, 200 as Rent.

Dock Commissioner Bensei yesterday cancelled
the permit held by the New York Contracting
and Trucking Company, which is backed by
Charles f. Murphy, the Tammany leader for
the dumping board privileges on the East DIST
street pier.
Il felt" said the Commissioner. that with the
probability of the city building more subways
it should retain the profits from the dumping
privilege at East 21st street. At least it should
advertise the lease Of the pier each year so that
II may go TO the highest bidder
As another blow to the company the Commits
sioner announced that he was thinking of can
ceiling the leases of the docks at 18th and 96th
streets and the North River for the same rea-
son. However. he said that he might not act
at once in this matter. He explained that the
upper West Side was nearly all built up and
that there would not be a crying need for
dumping privileges at 10Th and 96th streets
much longer. Dook Commissioner Hawkes. four
years ago tried 10 revoke the twenty and thirty
year leases held by the Murphy companies for
these piers. but was prevented by adverse de-
cisions IN the courts. Commissioner Bensels
order Of yesterday is TO take effect on Febru-
airy 1.
With reference to a $1,000 check paid to the
department by the Murphy company, which was
not at first paid. because of lack of sufficient
funds in the Fifth National Bank on which it
The cancellation Of the permit has nothing
10 do with the check episode. OF the $1,000 $500
vas g quarterly payment for the dock privi-
leges at East River and DIST street. Most Of
the balance was for the rental Of the dock at
the North River and 18th street, while the re-
mainder was a small balance due the depart
ment
This payment for the rental of the dock at
21st street and the East River was due on No
vember ]. Word sent TO the New York
Contracting Company, and it had TO be com
municated with several times before the check
sent. Then when II did come to hand, II
was returned from the hank marked Not SUI
1cient funds. We informed the makers of the
take. They asked that the check be sent hack
TO them. and this was done. But the new check
was also discountenanced"
Commissioner Bensel said that finally the
check was honored. lie added again that he
did not think that the New York Contracting
Company financially embarrassed.
He explained that TOR the privileges OF using
the 21st street dock the Murphy concern paid
500 q month The company has constructed
there a dumping board, which # uses for some
OF it's own teams, but largely subjects 20 other
contractors, who are compelled to pay so much
& square yard for all material dumped.
'I am altogether in favor Of the city's operat-
ing the dock itself" said Mr.. Bensel
Although the Commissioner would not discuss
the matter of the check further, II said that
the New York Contracting Company had the
habit OF being slow in its payments for dock
PRIVILEGES When Commissioner Bensei took
Office. a year ago. Re began a new policy, and
payments have since been asked for as soon as
they fell due.
When the Street Cleaning Department was in
vestigated by the Board Of Aldermen the Dist
street dock was considered. and William NJ Wins
said in his report counsel that the city re-
pier. while # had TO pay over $4,000 for the
privilege Of dumping on its own pier. The lease
was made through the Sinking Fund Commits
sion. Commissioner Bensel said the permit
would have expired in May.