New-York tribune., 1910-01-20
TELLS OF TAX BRIBE
BROOKLYN DEPUTY Is
REMOVED.
AHdaUit Filed 7Cith Mayor
More Removals. and Ru-
mOrs of Others.

more " OJHCIo.
Joseph H. MCGOWAN and William s:
Pickard, Deputy Tax Commissioners in
the Brooklyn office were dismissed by
the Tax Commissioners after a hearing
yesterday afternoon. The charges were
incOmpetency and neglect of duty IN the
assessment of real property.
Thomas F. Larkin. chief deputy in
charge in Brooklyn. and James n. Nc
Namara. another deputy in that bor-
ough. and Guy c. Dempsey, a deputy IN
Richmond. appeared to answer similar
charges. Decision was reserved IN the
first two cases, and Dempsey will get a
further hearing The probability is that
they will be given another chance, as
there is no suspicion of moral turpitude
in their cases Larkin. it is held, was
neglectful in not being aware of things
that we're being done by other deputies
If he is retained he probably Will be
transferred
Mcnamara is an old man, and there
were many complaints of lnclvlhty
against him. Dempsey has large dis
trict and pleaded that he was unable TO
give proper attention to all the assess
uents.
Edward T Brennan, a clerk in the
Tax Office. was dismissed on a charge OF
insubordination. His offence consisted
of writing a letter to several newspa-
pers in which he criticised the Mayor
for his remarks at the time he ap-
iSSiO A
ether things he wrote
dislike to think of the Mayor as in
sincere in his efforts TO give New YORK
an admirable administration. but / can
only come to the conclusion that he Is en-
tirelv ignorant of the whole subject of the
ynnraissi of real property for the purposes
Of taxation as it is being done In the
Borough of Manhattan to-day
Speaking of the criticism the Mayor
made on a certain assessment, Mr..
Brennan wrots:
His honor would probably get off his
anxious scat if he himself would take the
advice he has given to the commissioners
and leave his own office long enough 70
cTcss tho street and interview the gentle
man who made that assessment
It was generally conceded that Mr..
brennan was a competent and conscien-
tjous clerk, but it was felt that his in
discretion could not be overlooked.
MAY BE OTHERS.
There were rumors that the dismissal
of two deputies was only the beginning
of a housecleaning that would wipe out a
number of abuses, such as underassess-
rents. Commissioner Purdy denied this,
however, saying that he believed there
were no other weak spots in the depart
ment
The charges against Mr.. MCGOWAN
were formulated after Brooklyn citizen
had made an affidavit saying that he had
paid money to MCGOWAN when the latter
had offered TO fix low valuation on his
property
The charge of this citizen was not
made part of the charges drawn up by
the commissioners, because il was not
thought necessary to go into it in order
TO secure his dismissal The fact that
MCGOWAN had undervalued the property
in his report was made a specification in
the charges. however. 1t was also al
legged that he had undervalued the prop
erty known as Prospect Hail. in South
Brooklyn
BRIBERY CHARGED
After the dismissal of MCGOWAN. how
ever. the affidavit. which was taken by
the Mayor personally was given out at
the latters office. 1t is as follows:
City of New York SIS: - of
Brooklyn, being duly sworn. SAYS that
Joseph MCGOWAN received from him S. 90
to value deponent's property at the north
west corner of 5th street and Prospect
Park West. Brooklyn, on the tax rolls for
1910 at $4,000, instead of $4,000 as lie
said and agreed to do for the said sum.
for The said money was paid about De-
cember Is, or Is. | drew a check on
the Title Guarantee and Trust Company
by which got the money and can fix the
demand of $500 TO William J Gaynor now
Mayor who asked deponent to Dav the
money to the said MCCioWan and reDOrt m
him The said MCGOWAN has set the Drop
erty down the rolls at S65 600 ne
moment can give details of mis- nego1Ia
tion with the said McGowan, if necessarv
sworn to before me this 18th day Of
January, 1910. W. j. GAYNOR, Mayor.
1t was explained that the name OF the
affidavit maker was not given because il
vas not believed wise To make public
the names of the men who give informa-
ton on which the Mayor may act in
getting rid OF undesirable men in the
city's service. 1t is understood that the
Mayor has other affidavits of a like nat
ure in his possession.
Mr. MCGOWAN, who received a salary
OF 81. 200 year, had been in the depart-
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