New-York tribune., 1909-12-25
OFFICIALS In CLASH
SMITH COVERS NAGLE.
Park Commissioner Says He IS
Being Prosecuted.

Greek r1et Greek Yesterday az the office
OF the Commissioner Of Accounts. when
Mr.. Mitchell i'm his eleventh-hour investi-
cation OF the Park Department. examined
Commissioner Smith. with the usual result.
Commissioner Mitchell wanted TO know
more about the rowing commission Of Mrs.
F. y. O'Connell whose work in the Park
Department has excited the curiosity OF
the Bureau Of Municipal Research for the
last year
is Mrs. O'ConneIl expected 10 report In
writing" asked Commissioner Mitchell
NO" replied Mr.. Smith.
What check was kept on her attend
ance?"
~ don't know. except the foreman's re-
port"
Commissioner Smith said that Mrs. oCon-
nell had gathered statistics as 20 conditions
Of apparatus. Fairgrounds. etc. and had
turned them over 90 the superintendent for
his use.
What usc?''
Checking requisitions."
In reply 20 further questions. Mr.. Smith
said that in the early part OF February,
1909. he had first learned OF Mrs. O'Con-
nell's attendance at the Savage School
Thereafter he had issued orders that she
should not be paid except for time on duty
The expected happened when Commis-
sioner Mitchell kept boring in AT last
Mr.. Smith. who is big man. with big
fist. brought the fist down on the table
with bang. and said:
That's all the information have on
that subject. Mr.. Mitchell. and I'm not
going 10 guess. not even for you"
"Will you instruct 5our superintendent
10 send here the letter signed by you and
sent 20 lim?" asked Mr.. Mitchell.
Il will not. I will send IL myself" re-
piled Mr. Smith.
Il can't so ahead with the examination
until get it."
"Oh. very well. Then take an adjourn
ment until another day; say the day before
the first Of the year." sneered Commis-
sioner Smith.
Well adjourn until $50 o'clock this
afternoon said Mr.. Mitchell. quietly.
Al the afternoon session Commissioner
Smith was asked who had suggested Secre-
tary Nagle's appointment.
The Mayor. / think" replied Commits
sioner Smith.
What are his duties-
CONFIDENTIAL. Such as would not an
swer unless a court Of competent jurisdic-
tion tells mo must. II might be detri-
mental 70 tire department"
Name some one thing that Mr.. Nagls
does IN connection with the Park Depart
ment"
Not any further than I've said"
Does ne write letteTs?'
Not for me. They might be stolen by
some one"
Commissioner Mitchell explained that the
matter had been placed in his hands by the
Controllers Office. with information tend
ing 10 prove that Magic did not perform
sufficient duty 20 earn his salary.
II don't care 20 listen 10 your speeches.
Mr.. Commissioner" replied Mr. Smith.
After the hearing Commissioner Smith
said:
This is persecution on the part OF
Mitchell AZ the last hour 10 prevent, II pos
sible my resppointment as Park Commis-
sioner"
Between sessions Commissioner Mitchell
signed an afplcation for an order Of arrest
Of Nagle Later Justice MacLean. in the
Supreme Court. directed Nagle 20 appear in
Special Term. Part 7. on Monday morning.
before Justice Bowling. and show cause
Why he should not be adjudged I'm contempt
Of court for refusing 20 answer Commis-
sioner Mitchers questions