New-York tribune., 1909-12-30

hs write letter TO Commissioner Spooner
demanding an explanation.
A. soon as Commissioner Spooner's rec
ommendation that the piers be given TO
the Mallory Line SCI. 900 a year for ten
Years was read the Mayor declared that
several larger offers had been received and
were printed in the calendar, one from
the Metropolitan Steamship Company for
So 90 and one for s66 100 from the United
Fruit Company.
MAYOR ASKS ABOUT Mr.. HYDE.
The United Fruit Company" continued
his honor. is now willing 10 pay $4,000
per annum.. Furthermore. YOU first recon-
mended that the lease be given TO that
company, and then withdrew your recon-
nnendstion without notice 10 that company.
Did the fact that Charles II. HYDE is coun-
sci for the Metropolitan Steamship Com
pany have anything TO do with it?"
John II. Iselin at this point sprang 10
his feet and declared himself counsel for
the Metropolitan Steamship Company. Mr..
Hyde, he said, was not connected with Il.
rs Mr.. Hyde counsel for the Mallory
company, them" asked The Mayor.
President MCGOWAN said he was not.
This assertion was backed up by A @.
Thacher. who said he appeared as couu-
sel for the Mallory COMPANY President
MCGOWAN, however. saik Mr.. Hyde was
connected by marriage with official of
The Mallory Line.
That explains his activity, then" said
the Mayor, sarcastcally. For a few seconds
the Mayor conferred with his colleagues,
among them being Alderman Frank Dowl-
ing, Little Tim SuIiivan's successor as
chairman Of the Finance Committee. Then
he demanded explanation from Com
missioner spooner. Mr.. spooner said that
equities were involved in The case and that
the department was not supposed TO put
up piers merely for specula ton
Your answer is complete. but not con-
vincing," snapped the Mayor.
Il was a this point that Nj. Crcwen was
directed TO prepare the demand for writ
ten explanation AT once"
Mr- Thacher declared that the Clyde
Line had obtained Piers l. and 1s with the
understanding originally that Pier As was
TO go 10 the Mallory Line.
AT least lac said, that was the rep
resentation made by the Clyde Line with
out the knowledge or consent of the Nal
lory Line. To-day Pier Is is still in the
hands Of the Clyde Line, and Piers Is and
1s are absolutely needed by the Mallory
Line With us it Is a fight for life"
Well said The Mayor. this is a case Of
understand il. The Clyde Mallory. New
York and Porto Rico and some other lines
are in combination. and what is given to
one Is given TO the other"
Yes" said Controller Metz, "and the
com bination now has Piers ~ 45. 46 and 4S
North River, and Piers e and 4. East
River. and pier in Brooklyn-eiSht in ALL
] believe. without Piers I5 and l6 which it
desires 10 lease for long term as we'll
AIr- Thacher then amended the offer Of
the Mallory Line by declaring that his
clients would pay So. 600 if necessary.
We have an offer Of $1,000" said the
Mayor
We'll my clients viii give that amount
IL your commission sees ft TO declare that
proper price" declared the representa-,
tive of the Mallory Line.
M'CLELLAN's POINTED INQUIRIES.
Nj Ise1ir held q brief conference with
Ar. Thacher, and said that his company
vas willing 10 have the lease 20 TO the
Mallory company the understanding
that the Mallory company would give ade-
quate docking facilities 70 its boats.
Why do YOU rush into the arms OF the
coubinaticn?" demanded the Mayor
It's q matter Of life and death with as"
replied Mr, IseIin. We would like to get
tne nockaEe ldrlltIes ITofn Inc city, but
I'm sure We viii be fairly treated by Nj
Thacher's clients"
And what. pray, moves your company
in being SO very generous to the Metro
poIitan?' asked the Mayor turning TO Mr.
Thacher.
Simply question OF the equity of their
claim. was the reply
Affer much more discussion. upon motion
of Controller Metz, who, it appeared, had
been the first person 10 object TO the in
tended agreement 20 lease the piers for
ssl 900 per annum, il was voted 10 lease
Piers Is and IS to the United Fruit Com
pany al $4,000 per anDum fer ten years.
with the privilege OF renewal, at an in
crease OF 10 per cent, for ten years more.
THE COMMISSIONERS VIEWS.
After adjournment. Mr. spoorer said: