New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-12-14
MAYOR ASKS ALDERMEN
TO ABANDON PRIVILEGE
Assent to Newsstand Licenses
Makes Him ''FeeI Very
Uncomfortable"
BOARD MAKES NO COMMENT I
Alderman Volkmann, Referred
to by Gaynor, Pleads Not
Guilty When Arraigned on
Newsman's Charge.

rrdinanSe requiring the consent of the
local Aldermen where the Mayor issues
licenses for fruit, news or boot blacking
stands. which in cases where such con-
sents are sold makes him an innocent
marty 10 the bargain. Mayor Gaynor ad-
dressed a communication yesterday to
the Board of Aldermen. asking that the
ordinance be so amended as TO MAKE
unnecessary the consent Of the Alder
nan OF the district
The Afavor referred directly to the
recent case Of Alderman Mlchael D.
volkrnan. who has been indicted on
charge of taking an illegal fee for CIV
ing his consent to have a newsstand
T. .rcense issued TO David Barisch. In his
f7e+fer the Mayor called attention to the
(sectton Of the charter which gives the
Board Of Aldermen the power to expel
members He also inclosed an afhdaV1t
from newsdealer named Louis Rabino-
r-i+z telling how it cost him S123 to get
-he consent of Alderman Eolkmann for
the renewal OF his license
The Board of Aldermen received the
letter from the Mayor without comment
and referred it to the Committee on
laws and LEGISLATION. Nor war any other
reference made TO the indictment OF
Alderman Volkmann during the meeting.
In his letter the Mayor told no"
Barisch had complained TO him that
Alderman Nolkmann wanted s-oo lot
his consent
I had hitherto given my word.
wrote the Mayor. .'to all persons seeking
such licenses that / would protect them
from extorlion In order to put the matter
to a test. ! turned the case over 10 the
Commissioner of Accounts, ana IN
.1r,,cted him 70 have the money offered
and see if t was accepted
The Mavar declared he had had several
ether complaints Of a similar nature o0'
the consent had always been given wien
il was learned that an inquiry hau peeii
started.
Tho Mayors Letter.
In writing 10 the Aldermen the Mayor
said, in part:
The very high regard ! have for the notle ne
estv and prudence of the great Mo Joii9
- roanbeTs Of YOUR honorable body III
d1.oes nlt.to send vou this comm Ilicsttoni Hii
r. c.,-s1-sl sacrionS Of the CODE oi oIu
- - - Afa1-or licenses stands for the
--"iice -,,e;;,trs neriodicals fruits and
the like and for the backing OF ,o Dooo7 60
lefore the Mayor can slSh ate .Il sfstTicI in
= license the Alderman OF tilt7 dls.Lt ! LtN e.
which the stand is to be locateu Ills ri,;rtJ
give his assent TO such license III -,.o.
an TIIlz- : last | sent you a corliluihC9@ q
,ion calling YOUR attention 10 instances III
which such assent was beng sold iol IN ,
siderable sums OF money In i@C', o9 -
1.e1reiza when the license IS hnaiIN pr
saT.T4,] 10 me for my signature am uh- @
lie 70 say whether such assent mas Gee
sold or not OF course, IN the great haJgl-
- Of cases 7 know 1t has not 'eeI Sold'
ferauSa the high standing az most oi Eo.ii
77.amhers forbidS that / should suspect ~
The contrary: but. Unfortunately lhtit 81 = =
Cssae IN which il is sold. and by signing
+ba license ] enable the bargain 70 be car
1ied out ] feel very uncoInl OF aDie u NC
y.laced in such position as TINS. :
Tho staff of the Bureau Of Licenses ~
annie TO investigate all applications and
ascertain whether the locaII1a - oiip t,d T 7
which a stand should be permitted: ana
suggest 10 you that the ordinances ouet1
= he amended so as TO omit the 80
S2rv requirement OF the assent VI tIl' -
man Of the district
CHARGES Against Volknann-
According 10 the affidavit Of Ny Pa
hfnowftz. which was made last Week.
he went to Alderman Nolkmanh IN
ter,rr,ar, 10 ask consent to the renewal
of his license for a newsstand The
alderman said he had promised the con-
sent 10 Edward Koehler. who had
worked for him in the campaign. tie
--ert To Kcchler. who said he would
release his right to the license on pay
747enr Of 5000 He met Koehler in the
private office Of Volkmann at the lat
ter's club. he declared. and koehler ad-
vanced the price to $500 Nolkmann
was present. RabinowitZ said. and said
he Thought $500 was "A fair price. Ra-
hinoHitz refused to pay this. He de-
elared that after the Mayors license
bureau. had refused to grant a license
l. any one at the place in question:
Koehler offered 10 relinquish what
rights he had for 500. He said he
finally paid $40 in cash and got the con-
sent signed by Volkmann, but made out
in blank
Later ne said. Alderman FolkmaEn
called him ''piker.' and demanded that
he bring "a the club enough money 70
make the total amount up to S123. say
ing that the money was needed by the
organization. Rabinowitz swore that he
took S63 to the club and handed il over
20 Alderman Volkmann.
Alderman Nolkmann pleaded not guilty
20 the charge of accepting money lille
gally from David Barisch when ar
raigned IN General Sessions yesterday
Edward Cruise. arraigned on charge
OF being an accessory 10 the deed. also
pleaded not guilty. Each was released
IN - 900 bail 10 await trial.