New-York tribune., 1910-03-31
W0ULD0UST HAFFEN
W.ITSON DISOUNS HIM
Calls Br0nr Man "NOtOrOuslg
URft" for Ne7C job.

Corporation Counsel watson seat yesto--
DAY vigorous letter Of protest {" Justice
I Davis. Of the Supreme Court. against the
appointment Of Louis r. Haffen. former
Borough President o. The BroEx. as a
commissioner in a condemnation proceeding
TO open up street IN that borough
II most earnestly protest against the ap-
pointment Of IIaffen or any of his kind
wrote the Corporation Counsel and fur-
the- respectfully request that the appoint
ment b. annulled and revoked.
Because the name ~ the Corporation
Counsel is signed 10 the announcement ~
sucn appointments i'm The CITY Record
the impression had gone abroad that Mr
Haffen had been named by tho Corporation
Counsel Il have no power To make such
an appointment. as YOU know" Mr.. Wat
son wrote TO Justice Davis "IIafen's
name was not suggested directly or indi-
rectiy by me for this position. Indeed. l
hope TO go through my term Of office with
ont placing upon my record any such in
eradicable stain as ! should deem this
10 he
The Corporation Counsel went on to say
that the duties of condemnation commits
sioners were second IN Importance only 10
those OF the courts. and added, Il should
say that Hafen was beyond question no
toriouslv unfit" lie recalled that Mr.. Hat
fen had been removed from the Borough
Presidency by the Governor after an in
vestiration and a review 10y referee, AMI
recalled the nature of she evidence lie
continued
Il believe that the law gives ne the
riG'-t 20 examine Mr.. Haffen under oath "s
To his qualifications. This right % eN-
animation shall of course. exercise at the
proper time and place.
Justice Davis replied briefv. assuming Ali
responsibility for the appointments. and later
made a statement that ~ view nf the oh
jectIons of the Corporation Counsel ne
thought il just as well for Mr.. Haffer 10
give up tho appointment lie would leave
it to the latter 10 do as he saw flt how
ever.
Justice Davis said;
u think the Corporal ton Counse! has
greatly overstated the case against Mr
Haffen. 7 have known Hafen for many
years He IS a civil engineer of great abii-
fly. I thought at the time 7 made the ap-
pointment that he would make good
commissioner. and stilI think 81. fail
TO see ANYTHING i'm the findings Of the in
vestigations which resulted I'm his removal
from the Borough Presidency to convict
Mr. Haffen of dishonesty. 7 know him "a
/ he an honest man-somewhat unreliable in
/ his judgments. perhaps hut absolutely hon
4 est
! Nevertheless. considering tho way the
Corporation Counsel looks at it, ] think it
might he better for Nj. Hafeu not Ia
serve leave u entirely 20 him A. a
matter Of fact. it is not an important COM
mission to which ] appointed him Why.
Mr.. HaTen got ll.ooo votes when nc ran
for ofiCe last fall That fact alone i'm
pres ii me favorably II showed that the
peo'ie 80 The Bronx knew him and they
were not ali Tammanv voters either
trusted nim. They showed 10y their votes
that they believed him 90 he honest
Justice Davis added that he did not wish
To have any controversy with the Corpora
ton Counsel. as the latter would probably
try cases before him and any controversy
would prove embarrassing % both.
Through his attorney. Louis \. Van
Doran Mr Haffen said last night al hIs
home No S0S East 1921 street. that ne had
been considering his appointment as com
missioner of estimate and appraisal for
some time and now had decided TO accept
H. and was ready To fight the matter to
the end
When Informed Of my appointment n
tho matter Of opening and extending East
18th street, Tile Bronx" no said. my first
. inclination was To- decline n because Of my
many pressing business and professional
engagements. and this afternoon toIc-
phoned to Mr.. Squires. the Assistant Cor
poraticn Counsel. that ! would not serve.
But in the face OF Mr Watson's letter
. 10 Justice Davis I have decided to accept
the appointment Of commissioner of eSti-
mate and appraisal and I shall be ready
10 meet Nj. Watson ON any ground "f
/ challenge as To my competence L" uil that
Office which he cares to raise I'm The Su-
! nreme Court Of this statc.'