The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1911-03-03
Unexpected Appearance as
a Witness at the Hear.
ing in Queens.
NO BASIS FOR THE CHARGES
Has q Rather Poor Opinion Of
Taxpayers Committees
Activities.

Mayor odynor tOok queens Dy surprise
late yesterday afternoon when he ap-
peared at the hearing before Commits
sioner Samuel H Ordway and testified
in defence Of President Lawrence Greseer
OF that borough. whom taxpayers COM
mittees are trying to have ousted from
Office on charges fled with former Gov
ernor Hughes accusing him of incom-
potency and neglect Of duty. In COM
pany with President Gresser the Mayor
walked into the room in the Queens
County Court House. Long Island City,
where the hearing was under way Attor-
ney Chase Mellen. representing Presi-
dent Gresser was Introducing documen-
tary evidence. This was Immediately
suspended. The Mayor took the witness
stand and was sworn.
A cough that troubled Mr. Gaynor at
the outset of the examination disap-
peared later. To many questions he
answered that his recollection was not
clear. When questions as to events
happening Immediately following the
attempt on his life were asked he replied
that he was seriously i'll at the time
mentioned. When asked on cross -ex-
animation a number Of times II he would
be surprised to learn" certain things, he
replied that he was not now surprised at
anything.
Throughout his testimony one thing
stood out distinctly. He does not want
President Gresser removed. In answer
to direct question he said that under the
present system Of appointing a successor
he was afraid some scamp" would be
! selected in Gresser's stead. He said that
he considered Gresser honest and fully
capable OF governing Queens. Referring
to his intimate knowledge of men and
affairs in Queens through his long SER
vice rs a Justice Of the Supreme Court
Of the district including that borough, he
said he knew the very stones in the
streets" and that he knew the men and
affairs OF that borough and also it's COR
ruption. and that he resolved that IL tho
opportunity ever offered he would
try to help the people OF Queens to re-
deem their borough. Malign influences.
he said. hampered Gresser in his efforts to
, give Queens reform. The stronger tho
effort to purify that borough the greater
| The opposition.
In answer to question by Charles Pope
Caldwell. representing the taxpayers.
the Mayor said that the situation had
not been helped. but had been hampersd
by the taxpayers charges. He said the
charges should have never been made
Referring to the building OF subways, he
said that, like himself. Gresser was OF the
opinion that the city should have ono.
subway system and one fare and not
two systems and two fares. The Mayor
showed no trace of irritation when closely
pressed by questions on the cross xami-
nation. at the opening of which Mr.. Cald-
well offered to halt if the Mayors throat
was not in condition.
$50 ahead said the Mayor with wave
OF his hand Il am ready to proceed"
President Gressers counsel. Mr.. Mellen.
began the questioning. When did you
| first hold conferences with President
Gresser as to the conduct of the govern
ment in this borough" he asked,
They began almost Immediately"
answered the Mayor. meaning almost
Immediately after he became Mayor
What was the subject first taken up''
we took up the subject OF the inves-
tigation of this borough by the Com
missioner OF Accounts
What did you find President Gresser's
attitude to be in the remedying Of bad
conditions?"
His attitude was one OF working with
me for good government over here"
Getting to the Typographical bureau.
in answer to questions by Mr. Mellen.
the Mayor said they had received com.
plants about Engineer Robert c. CroweI.
| in charge Of that bureau, which resulted
in charges being filed against Crowell.
Il had man picked out for Crowell's
place" the Mayor said. but when the
evidence was all in ! thought with Mr..
Gresser that Crowell should not be re-
moved. The evidence did not warrant it,"
At this point the Mayor took occasion
to tell OF his intimate knowledge OF afairs
in Queens. "From long years OF holding
court in this place. he aaid. Il know every
stone in the street. know the men and
affairs Of this place. know Of the rasoality
that has been going on over here for
wears. De Bevoise. a former Mayor Of
old Long Island City. was in jail for
stealing when first came to Brooklyn
in 1874. Mr.. Gresser and ! want to clean
up this condition and want to say that
Gresser never once showed reluctance.
While Mr.. Gresser and myself were work
ing together to remedy things We found
that every time we removed a man and
nut In better the louder the clamor
became. Any man who tries to give good
government labors under u handicap.
and particularly over here. Further
more he is abused. This is because Of the
character OF some OF the men over here >
The Mayor said in answer to question
that dresser worked hard to get his re-
quests for appropriations through the
boards in Manhattan. but that he met
with opposition. He did not care to r"
into details because he didn't wsnt 10
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