New-York tribune., 1908-02-09
ASKS BERMEL REMOVAL
CHARGES WITH GOVERNOR
Presented by attorney General and
Grand Jury Foreman.
EBy Telegraph to The Tribune I

Albany Feb S-Formal charges against Bor-
ough President Bermel of Queens, resulting
from the Kissena Park scandal We're presented
to Governor Hughes to-day by the Attorney
General and John w Ahles. foreman of the
grand Jury and the removal of Bermel was
asked II is the general belief here that subse-
quent investigation of this will implicate
several other politicians
ACCOMPANIED by Nathan Tidaver, of New
York appointed special Deputy Attorney Cen
eral 10 investigate this case, and Mr. Ahles,
the Attorney General called on Governor
Hughes this afternoon. He presented 10 the
Governor an affidavit executed by Mr. Nidaver
detailing the results of his investigation, and
a resolution adopted by the grand jury. and on
the strength OF these documents asked the Gov
TO remove BermeL
The Governor insisted that formal written
charges be submitted. and gave the Attorney
General one hour to produce such charges
Within the time limit the official came back
with the following document:
The grand jury Of the county Of Queens, by
charges against Joseph Bermel. Borough Iresi-
dent OF the Borough OF Queens upon which his
removal from said Office is hereby requested as
First-That the said joseph BerneI is an anu unit IT
the Borough of Queens. State OF New York. in
as Boron,ih president of the Borough Of queens,
and during about the months of February and
certain crime or crimes against Tie laws Of the
S-rss a. o"-,Ire 1cb t crir,ee and acts are now
unknown said grand jury hut the commission
acknowledged and confessed under his oath before
seeondThat said Joseph fsermeI is an unfit per
son TO hold the office of Borough President Of
witness before this grand jury of the borough
Of Queens on or about February ;, 1908. concern
naitted by one Henry. Roth; then and there being
ing
this state. did then and there refuse to aid the
Charge OF perjury and refused to answer the ques-
tions put by said grand jury to the said Joseph
serial said investigation, stating his grounds
for such refusal that his answers TO such questions
said JOSEPH Eserrnel.
The presentation Of these charges resulted
from the adoption by the grand jury of the
following resolution:
sesoEsd That hat & t5snscript Of ~ the testimony dT nv
people Of the State of New York against Henry
Roth be forwarded by tne foreman of this jury
lnforTla1ion ana Tor such ic5lon as ne may sec nj
Res6ved ID Fnrfher that me foreman on behalf
of this jury of the Borough of Queens offer the
said transcript Of this testimony taken before this
Jury as evidence to sustain the charge which this
Jury hereby presents aga1st Joseph Bermei, Presi-
dent Of the borough, that he is unfit TO continue
70 hold Such oee having m by by his, his refuTS sal to an
that 10 answer would tend 10 fncrilnindte and de
grade him confessed himself criminal and that
grand Jury because of Joseph Bermel's refusal O
answer tlis jury considers him unfit person
continue hold Office President of the Borough
of Queens. and hereby requests his removal from
that Office.
- In his affidavit Mr.. Eidaver recites tha; in the
investigation Of the kissena Park case testi-
mony was obtained that George L. Glaser. con-
fidential adviser of Borough President Bermel
was retained by the owners Of the land as their
attorney in the sale. He received $4,000.
ssrn aof-g e h.
titled that said Glaser retained because Of
his influence with the administration meaning
the administration of the said Kernel Presi-
dent OF the Borough Of Queens" Subsequently
an examination OF CIlaser's bank account by the
grand jury disclosed that on February 10 he
drew $1,000 and day two later ne and
Rer1nel and a member of the committee ap-
pointed by the Board of Estimate and Appor-
rionment negotiate the sale went TO Florida,
returning on March %. 1907 An examination
of BerneIs bank account showed that on March