New-York tribune., 1907-06-02
METZ NOW THE TARGET.
HIT BYLAW DEPARTMENT
assistant Corporation Counsels
Deny ErtraUagant Expenditures.

Assistant Corporation Counsel George L.
Sterling criticised Controller Metz yesterday
because the Controller told the real estate men
at the Colonial Club about week ago that he
knew Of an assistant to the Corporation Coun-
sci who in handling real estate condemnations
worked both ends of the scheme" The Con-
troller did not name the man at the time, but
yesterday he admitted that he had in mind Ed
ward H Hawke jr.. who is finishing up some
work for the city in connection with Speedway
awards. begun in the time of William H. Clark.
1t happens that about all the work falling to
the Law Department in connection with
demnatton proceedings is done by Assistant
Corporation Counsels Charles D. Olendorf,
George L. Sterling and John P Dunn. When Mr..
Metz's speech came out in cold type the next
day people around the Hall of Records began to
look inquringly at Messrs. Olendorf Sterling
and Dunn. expecting them to say something in
reply.
These three assistants and Theodore Connolly
the dukes of the Law Department realm.
Corporation counsels come and go. but the
dukes go on, because they are skilled In spe-
cialties, and the city cannot well get along
without them. They kept their wrath bottled
up until yesterday.
1T seems to disturb Mr. Metz" said Mr..
Sterling. that the Law Department sees At to
three years, while at the same time Mr.. Metz
himself receives a salary of $4,000. Smyth is
worth it. The fact that he has been getting
$1,000 a year more than Mr.. Metz does not
prove anything. What does Mr.. Metz know,
anyway, about either finance or real estate?
I believe he Is a chemical manufacturer. If he
has acquired a reputation for profound knowl-
edge OF the laws of finance or Of the values OF
real estate, am not aware of the fact. 1t might
be a good thing for the city TO pay Mr.. Metz
$4,000 year not TO go near the Stewart Build
ing during his term OF office. There IS not a
in his entire office that could qualify as an
expert In real estate matters.
WOULD LAUGH AT METZ's MAN.
THE commissions having charge Of the ap
praisal of realty would laugh at the Judgment
OF any man in the Controllers Office. If the
Controller had deliberately planned to make
condemnation proceedings more costly TO the
city, he could not have taken a surer tack than
he took in his speech 10 the real estate men.
He has attacked every justice on the bench who
has confirmed the findings OF the various com
missions. and he has attacked the real estate
experts employed by the city who give their
entire time to the work He acts as If he were
working in the interest Of some who wants
to mulct the city.
IF Mr.. Metz wants 10 do the city service
let him show up the practices of like
Charles A. Peabody. counsel for the Astors;
Bowers & Sands Sherman 81 Sterling and Will
lam H Harris. all OF whom in almost
monthly conflict with the city over the question
OF realty valuations. He VIII find that all of
these people are trying their best To monkey
the city by testifying to the valuations of land
and buildings far IN excess Of the true valua-
ton and In excess Of the sums which they are
invariably compelled afterward 20 accept Let
Mr.. Metz train his guns on them, and not on
the cty's faithful servants"
Charles D. Olendorf. who has general charge
Of all condemnation matters, said: THE Con-
troller has spoken without sufficient knowledge
in bad light. We arc jealous OF our good
names in this office. and we resent unjust
aspersion.
''Mr. Metz complains Of the excessive cost of
the services rendered by Messrs Smyth. Ber-
rian Jacoby and others In the last three
years they have received large sums because Of
the extraordinary amount OF work done They
give all their time TO the city. and they
thoroughly competent and trustworthy. They
get than Ia paid Mr.. Metz because they
pay rent clerical hire and other expenses, while
the city pays all those things for the Controller
1t is a fact, as Mr. Sterling states, that there is
one In Mr.. Metz's office who could qualify
an expert in condemnation matters"
Mr.. Olendorf at this point submitted a brief
statement covering the cost OF condemnation
proceedings as follows: