The evening world., 1908-03-25
DEAL FOR HUNTS
POINT PARK MAY
CO TO GRAND JURY
S257,ooo Payment for s., 500
Swamp Likely to Be
Investigated.

The Grand Jury may investigate the
Hunts Point Park scandal, whereby tn,
.i.y was required TO pay S2o7. 200 for lots
.hree-fourths of which were under
water and all Of which had been as
sessed at a meagre valuation of $500.
Commissioner Mitchell who developed
the Hunts Point deal at the Haffer
Investigation. said to-day that only the
surface of that deal had been scratched
and that the probe will go deeper.
'I.." he added, "the evidence adduced
warrants It, l shall certainly ask the
D!strict-Attorney 10 act There is q
mass of interesting detail behind that
Hunts Point transaction, and l expect
that Mr.. Flannery. who appears to be
The promoter. will be able to tell us all
about IT.
With the resumption OF the Haffen in
restirntion Michael Garvin. who sue
seeded President Haffen as the leader
Of the Thirty-hfth Assembly District
and who is recognized as Hanen
political confidant and adviser was
tailed to the stand.
Garvin on the STIli.
Garvin IS an architect, or at !eas''
he Is drawing salary, and has been
for years. as city architect. He was
also at one time superintendent OF
Buildings in the Bronx.
He drew the plans and had nearly
absolute control in the construction OF
the half-million dollar court house of
tAe Bronx.
It was brought out, with Garvin on
the stand, that, while he was SupeHn-
tendent OF Buildings in the Bronx the
Bronx Architectural Company was
started, Garvin had an interest In the
company, which he transferred to his
wife.
Wasn't It the plain understanding
that you were to receive three-quarters
OF the profits Of the company. and that
your wife was 10 receive your inter-
ests in her name?" ne was asked.
NO, the interest was to go to her
her family. I couldn't act. for the char-
ter wouldn't allow It. What's mine is
mine, ana WHAT'S my wltes is my wltes'
What happened to the company when
you resigned as superintendent Of The
Architectural Company
IL opened an architects off ce."
Ibid the clients of the Architectural
Company all flock TO you then?'
"If they did. l wouldn't turn them
away tell you that"
WHO were your clients?" -.
u can't remember them"
Didn't the Architectural Company go
out of business when you res. .gned?"
"Oh. guess they did !"
Memory's Sudden Lapse.
"Didn't you take over the unfinished
business OF the Architectural Com
pany?"
~ may have-I don't remember"
When you were Superintendent of
Buildings, weren't you often consulted
by clients of the Architectural COM
pany on plans of the company?"
NO, but certain persons called me UP
OIL the phone, asking Tor AN arclteCt
but l got ahead of them. They wanted
me TO say, GO to the Architect ural
Company but l didn't do II. No, not
me-
You got ahead of them, then2"
'Yes, l did"
The witness. questioned as to hi!
studied at Mr.. Dunns office and n
hcme. AS to monumental buildings. h
mad little experience but fad desiEne'
extensions to buildings already stand
ing gyr,sr. A., ,o, cat ~. .-,t,,no :,
enable YOU to design such a building a
the Bronx Court House,"
Personal examination and research
as well as my ysGqS yeGarSs Of eXRserienSs
a few primary questions.
What is a safe load OF grantee"
inch"
let me see-two ton per square
whats a safe load o, concrete?"
&" can't recall that, off hand. Soil
load, too. has something to do wit,
st. I'm not an engnecr-four tons
catechism Is Hard.
'But as an architect"
swell, we look al the books
whats a safe load OF sand?"
"1f It's enclosed it's all right, bu
.oose. It's not e
What Is a safe fibre stress FOR yel-
safe fibre stress? let me see.
can't give YOU that without consulting
the law and the books"
Garvin's attention to the fact thai
granite up to 2,4Oo pounds a square
inch, and brick and concrete load OF
fifteen tons a square foot the witness
answered:
well, that's right. That's the law
Garvin's fees as architect of th'
Bronx court house, which is going t'
cost the taxpayers nearly one million
dollars by the time 1t is finished, vii
be $4,000
Commissioner Mitchell developed ths
fact that when the Board of Estimate
appropriated $4,000 for the court house
in 1892 plans We're drawn for an $500,
900 court house, and the board subse
dollars balance. Originally, the scheme
was for a 500 structure. but at nc