New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-04
BRINGS IN MGR. M'MAHON
Mayor Says Prendergast- Mitchell
Agent Seized Pre|ate's Papers.
PRIEST FORCED SURRENDER
Asserts Also That Nuns Were
Annoyed by Offensive and
Irrelevant Questions


Mayor Gaynor in q letter to Thomas
NJ. Mulry. made public at the City Hail
Yesterday. said he had received a com
plant that agents OF the Controller
and Mr.. Mitchell" who COMPOSE the
special committee Of the Board Of Fsti-
mate 20 investigate the financial rela-
tons between the city and the Catholic
institutions Of the city. had opened a
private desk end taken some vouchers
therefrom. This occurrence was alleged
70 have taken place in the office of
Monsisnor \. 7 Mcmahon. who Is
moderator OF the Association Of Catholic
CHARITIES. One Of the agents was said
TO have engaged the assistant Of Mon
slgnor Mcmahon in conversation while
the other got the papers unobserved
Nhen he said he was going to take them
away the assistant threatened TO call
the police according to the story
All OF this Is alleged to have occurred
last summer. The occasion for giving
II out yesterday was 3 question from Mr..
-hulry, who is q member OF the State
Board Of Charities and interested in
Catholic charities as TO whether or not
me investigation Of the story that a
lund had been raised for DIR. Daniel c..
Potter by the Catholic institutions. had
been completed. The Mayor told Mr..
Mulry that such a fund had been started.
but that wiser councils prevailed and the
idea had heGr Oh
Controller Prendergast. after reading
the Mayors letter last night, said he had
nothing 70 say at the moment, but that
complete reply would be forthcoming
to-day.
The Mayors letter follows.
Dear Nj Aiulrv:
Please eXous. me for the delay in an
sWellns your favor OF April 70, asking
me 70 give YOU the course of the inves-
I5Auoh OF the Commissioner Of Accounts
IN regard 10 an alleged fund being raised
py GatnoLc Charitable Institutions 10 nav
to Mr.. Potter, ana whether such investfga-
tGn has bsen closed. The facts are as
About one year ago my attention was
called by the Controller 70 an Endorsement
on voucher OF the Catholic Mission OF
me virgin on Staten Island which indi.
Gated that q fund OF s. 500 was being raised
by the Catholic charitable institutions OF
ms CITY winch were receiving city money,
70 be presented 70 Mr. Potter, who was
an auditor in the Controllers office Of the
accounts Of tbs said institutions.
Mayor Begins Investigation.
I Immediately placed the matter in the
hands OF the Commissioner of Accounts
Mission testified that he made such in.
Qorsement by direction Of the Rev. NJ J.
FITZPATRICK. Father Fitzpatrick testified
thai he wes informed by the Rev. DR..
Mcmahon, the head OF the Catholic chart
ties IN the diocese or New York, that a
movement was on foot 10 raise fund 70
help Dr. Potter, as ne was II financial
Sa6 ps5 ana me- la b her vFN5P 6o1 sH
that purpose. as the said Missions share
OF such fund.
Dr. Potter testified that he never re-
ceived, directly or indirectly. any sum or
fund from the Catholic institutions Of the
city. and that he had never heard Of any
movement 70 raise any such fund The
Rev. DR.. McNlahon was absent in Europe
FOR his health
On his return last fall he testified that
such 2 fund had been proposed for Dr
Potter. and that he received the 500 from
the said Mission for, that purpose. but thar
afterwards. wiser heads hearing Of the
matter the plan was disapprovAd OF end
discontinued. and the money was NOT paid
q Dr. Potter.
Instructed the Commissioner offAccounts
T.. still keep the. case open 70 receive any
other testimony IN the matter which might
be found or brought forward. but meme has
appeared.
Meanwhile namely. on June y. 1910. the
Controller had z resolution passed IN the
Board Of Estimate and Apportionment that
he and Mr. Mitchell. President OF the Board
Of Aldermen. should conduct an invsstigs-
ton Of the relation 70 the city If all OF the
institutions. Of every religious
denor1ina ton, receiving city money 20 pay
the charge Of city inmates. and requesting
the Mayor 10 have the Commissioner Of
Accounts assist them
\ short time thereafter complaint vas
made 70 me that the agents sent BY the
Controller and the President Of the Board
Of Aldermen 70 make such Investigation
we're asking alleged offensive and irrele-
want questions Of those in charge Of such
institutions