New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-06-17
ORDWAY ADVISES THAT
GRESSER Be REMOVED
Report to Governor Dix Charges
Incompetence and Neg
eCt of Duty.
"PUBtIC FUNDS WASTED"
Commissioner Doesn't Accuse
Borough President Of Personal
Dishonesty-Marked I'M
provement Noted.
Ii, telegram 10 The Tribun. !

Albany. June Is Charging Incompetence
and neglect Of duty Samuel II. Ordway
to-day in his report to Governor Dix, rec
commended the renewal of Lawrence Ores
ser from the office Of President OF
the Borough of Queens New York City.
Mr.. Ordway was appointed by Governor
Hughes TO investigate charges brought
against President Gresser by the residents
Of the borough. Governor Dix. after re-
ceiving the report. said that he would
examine il and before announcing his de-
oision would give the accused official an
opportunity 10 make any statement he
might wish.
The Commissioner states that all the
charges are not sustained. but that those
which are show the Borough President TO
have been inefficient incompetent and neg
lectful OF his duty TO protect the Borough
OF Queens against fraud and maladmlnls-
tration on the part Of certain OF his subor-
dinates The report. however. does not
accuse Mr.. Gresser of being personally
dishonest or corrupt. The Commissioner
sustains the charge that Mr.. Gresser has
wasted public funds by employing an UNI
necessarily large force of men; that he
10 frauds in the bureau Of sewers and that
he appointed and retained H. office IN
competent and corrupt officials and en-
ployes. Mr. Ordway, however, states that
there has been a marked improvement In
borough affairs since June, 1910.
The Findings of the Report.
The following are among the findings Of
the report:
The charge that Mr. Gresser instructed
Nelson. Burke and Johnson TO levy an as
sessment upon the borough employees TO
defray the expenses of his campaign and
received the proceeds thereof and made
false report OF his campaign receipts and
expenses Is not sustained. although the
Commissioner finds that Mr. Gresser knew
of and permitted. and 10 that extent was
a party 10. the levying and collecting ~
campaign contributions.
The general charge that Mr.. Gresser has
been negligent in failing 10 provide sut-
fcient sewers for the Borough of Queens is
not sustained, but the Commissioner mas
that his administration of the matter OF
the InEieside sewer has been neither Dusl-
nesslike nor efficient.
The charge that Mr.. GresseT received
from Nelson, and retained for his own use;
the inspectors fees paid by CarheTrN and
Dornbach for the inspection of the Madi-
son street sewer is not sustained.
The charge that Mr.. Gresser failed 10
enforce compliance with the specihcatlons
of the contract for the resurfaclnS or
Thompson avenue and the Hoffman Boule-
ward and that he failed 10 protect the IN
terests Of the city IN that matter. is sus-
tanned. and the Commissioner hnds that
Mr.. Gresser was grossly negligent: incoh-
r1etcnt and inefficient In accepting the WORK
and certifying IL for final payment.
The charge that Mr.. Gresser has neglect-
cd to keen the highways generally IN prop
or reDair is not sustained as Whole. az
though the Commissioner finds that In
certain particulars specified in the report
he has been neglectful and inefficient III
his care Of the highways. -,
charge that Mr.. Gresser has permitted me
falsifying of expense accounts ana IRE
issje ~ fraudulent orders and the construc-
ton Of private work with public funds are
not sustained. but the charge That MT
Gresser Illegally permitted the Construc-
lion of private work with public funds is
sustained In the matter of tho construction
o. The sewers for Father Hauptmans Ro-
man Catholic church and for Pastor Dietz
German church.
The charge that Mr. Gresser has wasted
pubIic funds by employing an unneces-
sarilv large force of men. by carrying on
the navrolls men who did not render fun
service to the city and by failing 10 re-
nuire adequate and proper service from en-
DiCVes IS sustained.
The charge that Mr.. Gresser was guilty CT
neglect Of duty i'm not Investigating or TAX
irC any steps 20 uut a stop 10 or 10 nunish
The admitted frauds IN the Bureau OF Sew
ers during the years 1908. 1919 and the early
~art Of 1910 until February 1910 although
10 v.ae notified OF their existence as early
rs October 1900 and admits that he heard
rrmors Of their existence in 1873 Is sus-
tanned and the Comm!e soner finds that
Nj Gresser was guilty 90 gross ineficiency
and neglect Of duty IN This matter.