New-York tribune., 1911-01-01
REPORT HITS QUEENS
Arthur c. Train 0enounCeS Con-
ditionS in Borough.
CRAFTS GARDEN, HE SAYS
Declares Moral Perceptions OF
Population Are Blunted by At
mosphere of Official
Negligence.

Arthur G. Train. Deputy Attorney Gem
eral, made public Yesterday the report OF
his ten weeks investigation Of he man
aEen,ent of public affairs IN Queens Bor-
ough, which has resulted in the indictment
Of ninety-fve politicians and former office
holders in that borough
In his report Mr.. Train explains fully the
political situation which has existed in that
borough for the last three years, giving
much time 20 the ramihcations Of the cas-
sidy- Bermel political feud. Borough Presi-
dent Gressers campaign comes in for much
attention and the Kissena Park land sale
In which many prominent officials were con-
cerned. is also completely described.
Mr. Train SAYS that a large portion OF the
men who really live in the 115 square miles
OF Queens territory are politicians. The
majority Of the 10000 population are COM
nuters The position in which the borough
finds itself. he says. ia that OF suburban
community which has been invited to a
feast AT the board Of municipal graft.
There are undoubtedly number Of hon
.st ofnceholders." says Mr. Train. but on
crossing the greensboro Bridge the tone
Of political morality in that part Of Long
island seems TO lower" One of the worst
features OF such a condition is that the in
habitants think that nothing is too bad to
be true-they are ready 20 believe anything
Of anybody.
Borough Development Retarded.
.srhe result is that the development OF the
borough has been retarded and It's real
.state is and has been drug on the mar
ket. Until conditions are remedied Queens
~iIi neither be an attractive place TO live
IN nor is It likely 10 receive much con-
liberation from the Board of Estimate and
Apportionment Incompetence and gross
laxity 20 hand in hand. Many Of the per-
,on. now indicted have had their moral
perceptions blunted by habitually breathing
an atmosphere Of Official negligence.
'.The investigation OF the october grand
n,-x 7 think. has disclosed the existing
low moral tone which characterizes the ad-
,,inistration OF public office in the Bor-
oueh OF Queens rather than the existence
Of any very large amount OF criminal graft.
The crimes unearthed are so crude as to
be almost ludicrous. With its large tracts
Of undeveloped territory, Queens Is gar
den spot for political contractors.
Mr.. Train reports that the primary source
Of information regarding municipal condi-
Ravmond r. Fosdick, Commissioner Of Ac-
counts ANONYMOUS letters and informa-
tion supplied by citizens also led 70 the un-
carthing of much dishonesty, he says
Report Critcises Gresser.
Mpcb criticism of the management OF the
Borough Presidents office is made and
numerous recommendations offered Mr.
Gresser relies upon the reports Of his suoor-
dinates." Mr. Train says, "and In the
matter upon which the May grand jury
found indictment against him IT appeared
that he certified bills aSgregatlng sZ'S0S lot
work which his Superintendent OF Highways
now testifes could not have been worm
more than $3.50. Laxity in the signing OF
nav vouchers is also very prevalent
The corporation inspector. who is usually
ignorant Of the construction OF the Work ne
IL assigned u inspect. Is ''omnpresent IN
the development Of Queens Mr.. Train
saws. For carelessness in the handling OF
the citv's money Mr.. Train gives the palm
70 the Department of Water Supply, Gas
end Electricity Of the borough, and certain
moneys Of the Queens Street Cleaning De-
rartment. he SAYS. found their way into
private purses.
During the investigation nearly six num-
cred witnesses were examined by Mr.. Train
and his assistants. II desire to express my
appreciation." he says. "of the assistance
Of District Attorney Frederick g. Dewitt
Of Queens County for his cooperation, al
though he was placed in a position OF some
embarrassment and the subjecr of partisan
attacks
The investigation cost the city OF New
York 5000, and Mr.. Train thinks II is an
extremely low rate of Insurance against
the future misuse of the citys funds in
that borough