New-York tribune., 1908-03-24
HAFFEN SICK OF JOB.
SURPRISES At INQUIRY.
Hunts Point, assessed at $1,000,
Bought by City for $3.50 900.

Pressed with persistency by j. P Mitchell, Com
missioner of Accounts as TO his knowledge OF the
real interests of certain of his subordinafes
Borough President Haffen Of The Bronx declared
yesterday with fervor, Il wish to God was III
terested in some real estate enterprises, instead
of being In this Office The Borough President
showed plainly that tiring Of the inquiry
and twice, under the questions OF the
Commissioner. he lost the good nature which has
been feature of his appearances on the stand
Then again. In testifying regarding the corporation
inspectors ne spoke frankly of the easy mature
of their duties the fact that it was possible 10Y
them to carry on another business at the same
time and that such jobs we're given larger! 10
politicians
II was brought on: BY Commissioners Mitchell
that Hunts Point had been bought by the city
for over sa5090e, while the assessed value OF the
property was less than 81 600. This was something
that little has been heard about in The brohA aHo
many familiar with the administration there were
surprised hear il YESTERDAY lhis statement
was made by Commissioner eiitcaei;
The amount of property acquired BY the city for
the purpose of this so-celleG public Pathlng pace -
nnder water. The price paid by the city for this
haf marsh ao Wci = %as oa assesS gf interest se5e
us Il. Upland lots in location iaf ,aGP f ri -
ate nartes for ssa0 q lot The city paid aver
age price of s25as II let Il would be difficnit
to find q more isolated s1ot; fRero Is no u His''
nearer than E2ile and haIf
Before you voted upon the initiatorys motion OF
Alderman Stump with regard to this proposed
park" asked Commissioner Mitchell OF the befouSh
President did know who owned the srouba!
No" replied President Haffep- AS ioio you
before | don't bother myself with real estate Ill
! did ana had followed the advice OF my friehds'
sunnoss I would be a good deal better off to-day
than I am.
Did YOU know that an award of sa47.e was
subsequently made" asked the Commissioner.
No" said the President. If ! had would have
taken action against ii"
This proceeding started by the Morrlsania
local board in September, 1904 and the report OF
the condemnation commissioners was confirmed III
November 1906 the title TO the property being vest
ed in the city the following day.
The extension of Clasons Point Road through
what Commissioner Mitchell termed salt marsh
next taken up. President iaffen was asked
II he knew what Interest Commissioner Murray, OF
the Department Of Public works. had in land along
this road and whether it had been called 10 his at
tention that Superintendent Geiszler of the bureau
of sewers owned interest in d forty-one acre
this road.
1t matters little 10 whether they any
other persons have interest in the property said
the Borough President. when property owners
want street opened they should have IT, if they
are willing 10 pay for it But he finally said;
i don't remember exactly but I have an idea
that something of that kind may have been
brought my attention.
The list Of ineorporatoFs of the Sound View Land
and Improvement Company. oUrisag considerable
property in that neighborheod.- was read. The
Borough President said he knew most of the men
Among them were John Haffen, his brother; John
NJ Haffen. nephew. and Martin Geiszler, the
superintendent of highways. whom, he said, with
smile he might have met one or two occasions
He said he had been informed that some OF these
men were interested in property near Clason s
Point Road but he did what difference that
made
President Hafen said he had asked beth Com
missioner Murray an0 Superintendent Geiszier TO
sever their connection with any real estate com
pany before their appointment, not because he
thought ii was wrong that they should have such
interest because he did not wish TO be subject
any newspaper criticism than necessary
He supposed that both men lad compiled with his
request Commissioner Mitchell then produced a
copy of certificate filed with the County Clerk IN
September showing that Martin Geiszler was one
of the directors Of the Sound View company on
that date President Hafen said he was interested
and would look II up
Al the morning session President Hafen was
asked about the courthouse In The BfonA
regarding which there has been so much talk lie
said he did not think it would cost more than
sseE go when completed.