The evening world., 1908-02-25
HAFFEN SHIFTS
THE BLAME FOR
GRAFT IN BRONX
SAYS Former Commissioner Of
Works Bruck1ler Ordered
Improper Payments.
BRINGS IN AFFIDAVlTS.
Borough President Greatly lr-
ritated by Sharp Questions
of Mr.. Mitchell.

President Louis H Haffen, OF the
norourh of the Bronx. took the stand
auatn to-day In the investigation being
made Of his ofiioe
President Hafren produced fve affi-
Asxats from foremen to the effect that
conmtss,oner of Public Works Henry
Rruc,encr had ordered his foremen to
dive asorers time" and pay to which
they were not entitled.
Ono clash occurred few minutes
after the hear.S.g began between At
torney L. O. Van Doren. counsel for
President Haffen. and Commissioner
Mitchell Attorney Van Doren took
occasion to demonstrate against the
Commissioner method Of examination.
and was reprimanded somewhat
sharply.
Why He Blamed Bruckner.
'How did you come to decide that IT
was Commissioner Bruckner and not the
foCeman who was to blameT' Commits
Eoner Mitchell asked.
''By reason OF Mr.. Bruckner's In
str,,cttors," was the reply. HE was the
oficer In charge and II he found any,
thing wrong he should have reported
to ma"
.And this was also the duty OF the
Superintendent Of Highways and the
fpremen7 Was Il not?"
~Yss. etr."
President Ha1en's effort throughout
tase examination along this line was to
show That Commissioner Bruckner was
mainly, Il not alone. 30 blame. The
men. he said. might not be always un-
der the eye of tho foremen who might
believe they put In full time whom they
did not While Mr.. Mitohe, was trying
to get some definite statement from
President Haffen a. TO why ne Thought
the Commissioner was alone to blame,
his counsel intsrposed-
president Hafccn has answered that
question at least twenty-five times"
said the lawyer.
Tie VIII answer II ffty times II need
be-" Commissioner Mitchell answered
growing red IN the face.
"r don't see any reason for arguing
with the Witness" continued Attorney
Won Doren-
.1 don't propose to argue" retoreed
Mr.. Mitchell sharply. but I want ths
facts. and I propose 10 got them with
out many moro Interruptions"
Van Doren muttered under his b.oath
and then s,tbsided.
.sDid you ever demand an expiana-
ton from Commissioner Bruckn,r as
to his oonductf" Commissioner Michel
asked
Not that I can remember at this
moment" President Hafren answers ad,
fidgetine in his chair.
Q. Whom did you appoint to succeed
Comm ssioner Bruckner? A. John F.
Murray.
Murrays Qualifications.
Q. What were his qualifications Tor
the offioeH A. He Is one OF the brightest
men I ever knew. Furthermore. he is
honest and capable.
Q. Where had he ever handled men?
A. He was in the insurance business
and was IN charge OF men there.
Q. What were the qualifications o!
Peter ]. Stumpf. whom you appointed
Deputy Commissioner in 1896? A. He
also Is a splendidly capable man anc
had known him for twenty-five years
was thoroughly satisfied TO his capa-
President Earfen tanned the desk ner
vously and anpeared irritated Al hi,
I,ne of sYSmtns,jNr
.~Uby dts we, rn,,,o,,a c,,,a,i,,.rl.,,
why ulu you L.,lone SGPeI N i !tIeiI
ot servers Commissioners
MiLcAel suaden!y asked,
because lelt so disposed FFes',
dent Hatten retorted. Il was given tA'
right under charter
O. Dld YOU remove Mr.. Gecks for pei
gonal reasons or for the good Of tht
city y. For the good Of the city.
g. Was Mr. Gecks incompetent? a
Is this a political hearing?
.. No. But l want TO know the rea
son? A. II was simply that l waute,
TO remove him.
q. Whom did you appoint in III.
place? A. Thomas ii. O'Neill.
q. Was he more cOmpetent2 A.
would not care TO say l simply ap
nuinted him to succeed G,..ks bacau,,
L wanted to-
O. Then 1t was purely a personal rea