New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-02-08
Witness at Courthouse Inquiry
Tells of Giving. Him, $4,000.
ALLEGED PROFIT ON SITE
New Jersey Leader, Now Dead
) Figures in Days Sensational
Graft Testimony.

CONVEYANCE to the county building commit
tee Of a piece OF property that he purchased
only a few weeks before.
The witness who told OF this was Will
ian, Maxon who formerly was real es-
tate dealer From his presence and tesu-
mony was CSeduced the conclusion that
MaNun was the man whose information
started the 81 Spcon Of guift that cuifni-
mated IN the pc .ltion for he'inqury. MaNoh
was employed by the committee 70 secure
o,tions for the courthouse site. and later
worked for hinralf in the same direction.
He suddenly left 1le city. and il was discov-
cred that his business affairs were IN such
sbope that an indi ,tment for ENLIGHTENMENT
was found. lie rturncd and pleaded non
vult His sentence was postponed for a long
time. and finally p was suspended. Just
about this time County Judge Carey be-
cam. in;ercsto.l in the work of the county
liildlna commf. tee. ard demanded and was
,.ppIied with a copy of its minutes
NaXop swore tnat he was now living at
,rsri,vood. that ne was first employed by
tho huuding committee I'm December l9S'
and re-emnloyed when the committee was
recrgsnizcd n January. 1904, To secure
ortions on u-operty needed for the site.
Nov. YOU recall. Do YOU not getting an
crtion on The property Of Allan McDermott
a. the corner of Pavouia avenue ana VII
low Cour-. where the power house is now
,rected?' asked Judge Carrick.
"-Tbs: was u separate transaction alto
cethcr that was long after the other was
Nsvou'e reply.
"Ycu were >o,7n~ tho option from MY
NCDermots ou that
80. sir. not the option
What negotiations did YOU have with
Hr. NcDeruutt?'
- took title to it,
And lust ~ Tor to your taking ,t'e W"aI
negotiations do you have with MI McDer-
n,ctt?"
THAT is objected 10. or any question re
latiru ia dealings this man had with MI
NcDermott-Allan McDermDtt. who IS
6,ad." interjected Mr.. Lane, attorney.
Aren't YOU going n good ways astray?'
iuQiired Justice Swayze who Is presldlhs
u the hearing as ne addressed Judge Car
Iisk.
81 don't think so. Here is a man who
wa employed'--
You viii have 10 show the materially
Ct j. To me ( do not see it now
SAY Maxon Proftcd Much.
",vo ,u1pose 10 show. if Your honor
rreasc. the purchase of this property by
Mr. Maxon who is the agent, taking an
opti,.n ON the property. and then afterward
purchasing II and turning 1t over TO the
r,rmittce at very largely Increased
price 49,.
..Yo, may SHOW what. ne got from the
BOARD of Freodolders,' Justice Swayze
ruled.
Z The examination of MaXon was then re-
sumed. and he was asked, you did take
title to this property from Allan McDer-
mott
II did not 7 did not procure the option
ON that | was through procuring options
and had been FOR long time
Il dhect your atteIrtion TO the minutes
held July 3 1906 in which the record IS
that on motion Of Vice-President Smith
William Muxon was invited to appear be-
fore the committee. Mr. Muxon represent
Cd himself 10 be the Owner cf the property
IN Pavonia avenue i'm tho roar OF the coun-
ty ial which the architect reported should
he ACQUIRED for site for power house.
,;r. Maxon offered to sell the property to
,no committee FOR the SUM Of $4,000 The
committee had an informal discussion DO
YOU recall that appearance before the COM
mittee?"
You did mako the offer TO sell the site
for $4,000"
IL did"
and later y,,u did sell tina; site to the
county for $26.noo.'
"I signed a decd for it, yes sir
Did YOU receive any money at al?'
Il received one check; yes. sir
"What was that check for"
Eight thousand dollars"
What did YOU 90 with the check when
you got it,
Il asked n MN who IS dead now-I don't
wan. 10 mention his name unless / am
compelled TO do 80 Ivy the court-what to
90 with the chec. and what it was for
What did he saw TO you?'
Told me TO have' it cashed and give the
noney to him
You did that
Il did
When did you do that
ION the same day ! got the check"
who was the man TO whom YOU save
the 5000
The witness. addressing the court asked:
Am ] obliged TO answer"
Yes" was the reply.
Robert Davis
what did YOU agree TO pay Mr.. Nc
Dermott for the property
Eighteen thousand dollars
You didn't pay him.
no. sir"
'That's all
BY the Court: You apparently had no
pe sonal interest I'm the matter at ALP
81 was paid commission on 1t long
while aftcrward.
Mr.. Edwards: by whom
by Robert Davis over year after
ward"
How much. $26OcO?"
NO II was a liberal commission
What 90 you mean Dy liberal commis-
SION
Fifteen hundred dollars
Maxon then swore he was entitled TO
commission Of SIS for securing the option
ON the O'Brion property that the check
for the amount was brought to him by Mr..
smith. TO whom lie gave 500 at Mr..
Smiths suggestion.
T,e Court-You gave the 500 to whom!
Mr. smith 81, -, Cit.
nv tudge Garrick-What did Mr.. smith
SAY about tire $500? A., ,.,
well he thought that he and MI. Gem
,nts were entitled to the Whoic lhhs,oo
s,id no hut ! gave them $500 OF the AA5.
m. hearing will be continued to-day.
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