New-York tribune., 1910-01-27
TAX MONEY UNPAID
NIEDERSTEIN FAILS
TO ANSWER.
Queens Former County Clerk
Had Been Told to Settle
bY January 24.
By January FL.

- The money collected as a mortgage TAX
by the clerk of Queens County for De-
cember. 19O9-estimated at about $4,000
has not been received by the City
Chamberlain The report made to the
ter ended December 81. which was
signed by Henry J. Walsh. Deputy
Chamberlain, contains blank where the
amount of the Queens collections for De-
cember should be.
John Niederstein, of No. 422 Beech
street, Richmond Hill, who retired as
County Clerk of Queens on January 1,
and is responsible for the money, is said
to be sick in Sullivan County. Mr..
Niedersten ran for Sheriff on the Cas-
sidy ticket in the election, but was de-
feated by the fusion nominee, Sheriff
Quinn.
Frank Klingenbeck, who acted as sec
retary for Mr.. Niederstein when the lat
ter was County Clerk, said last night
that he knew nothing about the failure
of his former chief to send in the mort
gage tax money for December.
1T was his custom to send this money
to the City Chamberlain about the 4th
or 5th of every month"; said Mr.. king
enbeck. He was taken sick or January
4, He had one operation and then went
to his cottage in Mongaup Valley. about
seven miles from Monticello, to prepare
for another In his last letter he said
it was so cold at the cottage that he
might go to Monticello. / expect an
other letter tomorrow"
Although his official connection with
the former County Clerk ceased with the
first of the year. Mr.. Klingenbeck said
he was still working without salary in
cleaning up few odds and ends of the
business. "Mr. Niederstein is man of
means said his former secretary. He
had St01 900 when he went into the office
of County Clerk. and everybody knows
how lucrative that is If he has not
turned over the December mortgage tax
money. it unquestionably is due to his
sickness
Martin Mager, the present County
Clerk, at his home in Middle Village,
said: MIR. Niederstein left no money in
the office or on deposit subject to my
order, and anything due the City Cham
berlain from him I know nothing about
My own system is to deposit mortgage
tax money in the bank in a separate
account This money will be sent to the
City Chamberlain the fifth of each
month"
The money collected as a mortgage
tax by the various county clerks of the
four counties making up the city is
turned over to the City Chamberlain
monthly He in turn makes a quarterly
report to the state tax commissioners.
turning over to them one-half of the
collections, according to law
Chamberlain Hyde said yesterday that
when his Office wrote to Niederstein
after the December money from Queens
was overdue he received word that the
former County Clerk was sick. but that
the matter would be attended to within
short time. Not getting any further
word. Chamberlain Hyde on January II
sent a second request for the money.
The letter, addressed to Niederstein.
was registered. The receipt for II was
signed by Mrs. Niederstein, but II was
not answered.
Then il was that the State Tax Board
took up the case. and, according to
Chamberla n Hyde, sent word In Mr.
Niederstein that they would give him
until the close OF business on January
"A to send IN the money. But Mr.. Hyde
had not seen any of it when his Office
closed yesterday.