The sun., 1908-05-03
GRAFT HUNT LEFT 70 MAYOR.
QUEENS GRAND JURY TURNS THE
JOB OVER TO HIM,
Demanding" That He Make q Thorough
Investigation Of queens BOrOush Ad-
mlnIstratlve Departments-NO lndict-
ments Against Kernel or Anybody Else.

Investigation Of queens Borough Ad-
minIstratlve Departments-NO Indict-
ments Against Kernel or Anybody Else
Mayor Mcclellan has been invited TO 60
on a graft hunt In the Borough OF Queens
The invitation was made in a presentment
handed up to Judge Humphrey in the Queens
County Court, Long Island City. yesterday
morning by the Grand Jury Of that county
For several weeks this Grand Jury has been
struggling with the old Kissena Park scan
dal. II took up the inquiry at the direction
Of Gov. Hughes, and its troubles accumu-
lated remarkably, On the day following
his resignation as President Of the Boro ugh
Of Queens Joseph Bermel, one Of the al
legged star performers In the Kissena vaude-
vile, sailed away for Italy with a Grand
Jury subpoena in his pocket, This was but
one Of the troubles Of the investigators.
And now they've put the whole thing up
to the Mayor, not only requesting but de-
manding that he resume the chase after
grafters in that borough.
When the jurors arrived At the tempo
rarv court room in the upper floor OF the
Fourth street police station in the Hunters
Point section yesterday morning rumors
that two indictments we're in store for the
fleeing ex-Presldont Of Queens we're set
going again. The jurors we're in secret $685.
sion more than two hours and then the pre-
sentiment was ready II was evident, how
ever. that the report presented to the Court
was written in haste II was written with
pen and ink and was scarcely lcgible, while
the other presentments we're neatly type
written and done up with covers. II said;
Whereas grave charges are made in the
public press and by citizens that fraud and
corruption are generally prevalent IN the
varou, departments Of the government oi
thc county and borough Of Queens and that
tho " yhts and interests Of the taxpayers are
being constantly sacrificed, and
Whereas the Grand Jury believe these
charges should be thoroughly investigated.
10 tho end that II true the guilty parties may
be brought 10 Justice and II untrue the rumors
and scandal inuring the good name OF the
county may be silcnced and
We recommend and demand that the Mayor
Of the city of New Ork shall cause thorough
investigation to be made Of the departments
and bureaus Of the horoHgh Of queens govern
mont and that copy Of this recommendation
be delivered to The Mayor Of the city Of New
torS
There vas nothing more forthcoming
and everybody hustled down stairs.
lust what action II any, Mayor Mcclellan
may take on the Grand Jury's recommenda-
tuu remains 10 be seen, bit II he is looking
for yigilant untiTIng investigator, one
y no would inject some spirit into the IN
ve,tpation. the people of Queens present
the name " eK-President Joseph Cassidy.
From all accounts bis since defeat Tor
election to the post made vacant by Mr..
Beruel's resignation Mr. Cassidy il In an
investigating frame Of mind. People Of
Queens saw that he is admirably fitted both
bv experience and training 10 60 after the
graiters o. Queens.
Changes in the heads OF departments
under the new president. Lawrence Greeser,
we're announced yesterday. Ex-Sherlh 10
seph De Bragga, who is Republican and
has held the place ~ Commi ssioner OF
, Sev ore sinns the advent of Mr. Bermels
administration, rendered his resignation
Yesterday "a did Lucien Knapp. also
| Republican and Superintendent OF Street
Cleaning Of that borough. Mr.. Gresser
has already announced himself as a party
man. and these two changes would tend to
indicate that he does not propose TO con-
tlnue mixed CaDlnet,aS dlu hH pIeueCrsSVl
both De Bragga and knappwere understood
10 be capable officials and out OF all the
departments in that borough against which
graft charges have been made their de
partments alone escaped.
The resignation of Matthew J. Goldner,
Superintendent Of Public Buildings and
Offices, has also been accepted. Mr.. Goldner
is Democrat and has been successful In
holding on 10 some kindof a political job
through all political changes in that borough.
| Lrder Cassidy he was in charge OF the
sewers and following Cassldy's defeat II
vas not long before he obtained berth
I i'm the Berme administration. One OF
| eX.President Bermels last official acts was
| 10 send a tart letter TO COMPTROLLER Metz
| taking him TO task for charging that whole
! sale graft existed in the department over
! which Mr. Godner had charge. Graft
charges against this particular department
! by the Comptroller gave the finishing touches
10 the Bermel regime. In his charges
/ against this particular department tho
/ Comptroller set forth that the excess OF
| charges in the matter Of repairs and buying
! of Office furniture was on a ratio oi 5000
against 5000 market value Of articles and
] ~.