New-York tribune., 1908-07-07
LAND SCANDAL OUT
Continued from irst page.

the Police Department just prior to the pur-
chase Of this property by the city at such a
price as TO give Mr.. Hurley profit of $40. 900
20 $4,000
George A Logan is the man who in April or
May 1906. got an option on the property
through George n. Klemyer, a brother of John
ID. klemyer, for $3.50 acre, which was
advance of 81 500 an acre over the price paid in
July, 1905. Mr.. Logan testified he tried to sell
it to the city through Byrnes, first at $1,000 al
acre. and then at 5000 an acre. But Byrnes
said he would not consider ii.
Mr.. Logan's option was to expire on October
81. 1905. and he found himself unable to take
UP the property.
TOLD TO SEE HURLEY ABOUT IT.
Then he received strong intimation, it IS
said, to Mr. Hurley about 1t. Mr.. Logan
testified that Mr.. Hurley said "he might be able
TO handle" the sale TO the city. About Septem-
Der l. 1906 Mr.. Hurley advanced to Logan all
he had paid for the option and promised $3.50
acre profit when title should be closed on
October 81
On October % DR.. Porter acting for Mr..
Hurley gave an option to Byrnes, acting for
the city for S105.ooO. Byrnes wrote to the
Controller that the property could be acquired
at private sale for $4,000. which he did not
consider excessive. When the Controller asked
Mr.. Byrnes 'if II was all right, and perfectly
straight" Mr.. Byrnes did not tell him that Mr..
Hurley interested because MIR. Metz would
not have purchased it If he had known that
personal friend interested"
When Controller Metz learned Of the transac-
ton and the part that Mr.. Hurley. his friend
had played in it he was angry. Since June 10
The transaction has been under investigation be-
fore the Commissioners of Accounts. week
ago yesterday, when Mr.. Hurley was on the
stand Controller Metz sat beside Commissioner
,Ialaher and MI Bruere. prompting them IN
their questions from his knowledge of the affairs
OF Mr.. Hurley obtained through their long
friendship Suddenly Hurley turned on the Con-
troller and accused him of presuming on infor-
nation obtained in their close friendship.
FRIENDSHIP NOT IN IT NOW"
Friendship has got nothing to 90 with this
now" replied the Controller, fercely IF you
were my friend, why didn't you come to me with
Infs property? You know well enough would
have sent II TO condemnation You didn't think
what sort of a position you were placing me
in"
The next day Mr. Hurley was excused In order
TO make a business trip West and the hearing
was adjourned until his return He is now in
Denver.
Controller Metz and Byrnes have always been
good friends. When Byrnes deserted the Nc
Carren standard in Brooklyn some time ago the
Controller retained him. although he found occa-
sion 10 drop another deserting leader. Byrnes
then made Metz delegate TO the Democratic
National Convention from the 9th Congress Dis
trict taking the other place himself.
Last week, while the training farm transac-
ton was under investigation. Byrnes had the
Andrew Jackson Club his personal organiza-
ton of the 11th Assembly District, pass fulsome
resolutions indorsing the Controller candi-
date for vice-President. But it did not put off
his suspension on Saturday, the day after his
suspension, Byrnes and Metz departed for Den
yer fellow delegates to the convention.
The land bought for the training farm is i'm
mediately in front Of the tract bought for Kis-
sena Park at the exorbitant price OF some $1,000
an acre, which scandal was the subject of
grand jury investigation in Queens County. The
Commissioners of Accounts learned that the
grand jury at that time about TO take up
the acquisition OF the training farm site, but
did not do So They called to the stand Samuel
Stevenson one of the leaders of the Indepen-
dence party in Brooklyn Commissioner Gal
Iaher { ed him if il We're true that he had in
troduced Thomas F. Byrnes appraiser of the
real estate in the Controllers Office to Nathan
Vidaver who, as Special Deputy Attorney Gen
eraI was prosecuting the Kissena Park matter.
Stevenson admitted that he had. and had told
MI Vidaver that Mr Byrnes honest
handed.
Well II he IS he has nothing to fear" Mr..
Tidaver is said to have replied.
Then Commissioner Gallaher asked Mr.. Ste
vensioD. it is understood the testimony reads
whether II true that he carried 5000 to
Mr.. Vidaver. The witness fatty denied that he
had done anything of the sort
II is said that a result OF the trouble over
sewer contracts in Brooklyn under Superinten-
dent O'Keefe brought out the investigation
special attention will be paid to this department
in the investigation of the Borough Presidents
Office in Brooklyn. now being carried on by the
Commissioners Of Accounts.
COLER THREATENS AWFUL THINGS.
In the course Of the explanation Of his losses
on Brooklyn sewer contracts Mr.. Hurley testf-
fed that he had lent $4,000 TO President
Coier Of Brooklyn in the fall Of 1907 Mr. HUI /
ley had had some trouble in getting payment on |
the Knickerbocker avenue sewer, but finally !
things were Strengthened out. Soon after this |
Nr Coler wanted a loan Of $4,000 from the |
Borough Bank. Of which Mr. Hurley was vice |
president According 20 the testimony of Mr. |
Coler, Mr. Hurley said the bank hard up !
but he personally would loan $4,000 to Mr. |
Coler. This was in October, 1901 not long be- |
fore the suspension Of the bank. The Bureau Of |
Research said yesterday that Mr. !
Coler stated emphatically that the $40 900 per- !
ever TO do with the many payments made /
through his office TO Mr. Hurley on account of
the sewer contracts"
There were stories current yesterday of gifts
between Mr Hurley and Mr.. Coler.
When a Tribune correspondent in Denver asked
Mr.. Coler regarding these tatements ne said:
I have just been advised by wire OF the report
of the Bureau Of Municipal Research. I have
ordered my counsel TO bring action for Grim
inal libel and TO recover $4,000 damages.
Il was a borrower during the late panic For
years during my career as a broker have been
but 81