New-York tribune., 1908-03-25
HAFFEN REALTY HOLDER
STOCK BOOKS SHOW 1T.
Nezc Elidence Causes Surprise at
Borough Presidents Hearing.

Bronx owns a one-tenth interest( ifty-two snares)
in the Sound View Land and Improvement Com
pany, which holds property adjoining C1ason-s
Point Road. in that borough. according 10 tbs
stock books Of the company. This information.
which came Unexpectedly at the public in
vestigation OF the Borough Presidents office in
the City Hall yesterday. created a mild
ton. for on Monday the Borough President. tss-
tifying the stand had given the impression
that he not interested in any real estate en-
terprises in The Bronx On occasion he de-
clared with much emphasis. II wish I were in
terested in some real estate enterprises instead
OF being in this office" At another time he said:
"As l told you before. 7 do rot bother myself
with real estate If did and had followed the
advice Of my friends ] might be a great deal
better off to-day
The CIason's Point Road put through
territory spaTseIy settled and where the assess
ments were low IT assessment proceeding.
but as the charter forbids the Ievying Of an
sessment for improvements OF more than one
half of the assessed valuation of any property
the city had TO pay the difference which was
considerable.
COMPANY's TREASURER on STAND
Joseph Liebertz treasurer of the Sound View
company had been served with a subpoena
duces tecum for the production Of the books ot
the company. He was placed on the stand by
Commissioner Mitchell to explain the records In
looking the stock book Mr. Iiebertz sud
denly said: 1t might have been better for him
if he had never gone into it. for Ne did not make
any money
Whom do you mean" asked Commissioners
Mitchell
Why. President Hareu.~ replied the treas
urer while the commissioner started and sat
bolt upright in his chair.
You mean Louis F. Hafen2'' he asked
Yes There is nothing to hide He owns
oue-tenth interest.
How much is that"
"Fffty-two shares John Hafen- his brother,
also owns a one-tenth interest
Martin CieiszIer. Superintendent of Highways
under President Haffen also owns one-tenth
interest.
1t was with the greatest difficulty that Com
missioner Mitchell on Monday able 70 get
the Borough President 10 admit that he knew
anything about the Sound View Company The
latter asked about the relation OF Martin
Cieiszler and others with the company. and he
finally said. I don't reconect exactly. but I
have an idea that something of that kind may
have been brought To my attention
Yesterday the signature of Louis ? Hdnen
was found in the stub of the stock book show
ing that the stock Of the company had been IS
sued to him Mr.. Liebertz said that President
/ Hsren had given a cash consideration for the
stock
IL
! President Haffen was not at the hearing IN
the afternoon. but will be called again oefore
| the investigation is completed
II was brought out the morning nearing
when President Hafren was on the stand that
attendants for a floating bath for The Bronx had
been employed last year, but The bath vas never
put In place President Haffen said this was
because no suitable pier for mooring the oath
was available
jumping to other matters, Commissioner
Mitchell asked: Was Charles G Marin re-
moved for political reasons
THAT may have had something to 10 "i'h IT,
renlied the President. smiling broadly
In what way?" was asked
We'll. Mr. Marin and I did not get along
very well together and we decided 70 sepa-
rate"
..yyas Nr O-Neil substituted for Mr. Gecks as
sunarintendent Of Sewers for political reasons'
was the next question
THAT may have had something 70 co Win IT,
admitted the Borough President
POLITICS IN BOROUGH
Asked a. to the political connection OF various
foremen in the Bureau Of Highways F'e7i''"'
Haffen said: .-.-,,- .i-..
~ have been out Of control Of details since
,ocar,ber 1905 TIL admit. however that
50 myself a little with such matters
81 +bi,E he used 10 be a Republican captain
said the Borough President IN resaru u ''
foreman and think he has oeer a Deii
foreman since me
ished l. ,.. e,
Commissioner Mitchell Introduces Istt7i 'i'
Assistant Corporation Counses S'Frnhs j" ''F'S
~ q request for opinion regarding 'ne
;,,- or eouaItzinc charges on assessment pro-
,esdfn-s bv charging up the cost "< preliminary
surveys as time for inspectors ana ehslhee'S-
NJ sterling said that in view Of the sPproPTla-
TO-, Of tb. citv for preliminary surveys ne 50"
no more justification Cor charging up sucn "o1A
- assessment proceedings than for charging
AGAINST them the salary OF the Borough freSi-
dent
1,bn Brady who had been suspended as an
inspeetor after making complaint OF various
citations OF the part Of contractors. created 4
diversion by his testimony
Are Won working now asked Commissioner
Mitchell.
No ne said President Haffen seems vsry
,..raf,,1 about my health and doesn't think
ought to work between meals
A little later. in speaking Of the Work OF n
spectors. he said. with much heat We ars
only lamp posts the job 10 cover the ehsl-
neers"
In the fall Of 1895, when President Haffen
Was running for reelection. he sent tor Brady
al that time under suspension The President
said he was sorry for the way III whicn 6raoy
had been treated and would put him back He
was put back but soon afterWard was suS-
pended again
ANOTHER SIMILAR TALE
Michael Cunningham, another suspended in
spector had similar tale TO tell Once he had
reported defective work TO the Borough Presl-
dent and again TO the chief engineer The latter
had told him he was talking through his hat
u~aRw ~