New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-05
'DEVL|N IN TROUBLE AGAIN
Ousted School Principal Sought
on Bribery Charge.
DETECTIVES HUNT IN VAIN
Condemnation Boards Chairman
for Bronx Boulevard Says He
Sent Money by Messenger.

Michael T. Devlin, who was ousted from
the Mace of principal of Public School in
June. 1911. and has twice left condemnation
proceedings under fire. is in trouble again.
Charges Of bribery have been made against
him at the office of District Attorney Whit
man and a warrant for his arrest on
charge of bribing public official mas peeh
issued by Magistrate krotel. 1t Is near!
four weeks since he has been seen at MS
office, and detectives to whom the warrant
was given report that they have been I'M
able 10 find him in four days search.
His troubles this time arise from pleas
ant little note he is said to have written
to James A. Donnelly. chairman Of the
board for the condemnation OF property for
the Bronx Boulevard Devlin was mem
Der OF the board himself from 1906 until he
resigned in 1910.
AR. Donnelly says that on February 81
a messenger boy came to his office. at NO
26 Liberty street. and delivered long
manila envelope. He opened 1t and found
that II contained two 500 bills and one $50
bill, besides note which seemed to indi-
cate that he had lent the writer 500. The
$50. II was explained, was in part payment
and the remainder would be paid about the
time the board made public its final report
on the valuation Of the property condemned
The first report OF the engineers had al
ready been made public. and Donnelly knew
that some Of the valuations were consid-
cred too low by claimants
There also futtered to the floor type
written list OF certain parcels OF land which
the writer indicated should be increased I'm
value ih the final report. The increases
named In each of the half-dozen parcels
were considerable. Donnelly did not re-
member any one who owed him just that
amount at that time, and he thought it
most peculiar that the debtor should choose
TO remain anonymous. The typewriter list
OF lots gave him an idea, however, and he
asked the messenger boy, Jacob Rubin, who
had sent him.
The boy answered that he did not know.
Donnely called up the manager OF the tele-
graph Office, and Martin Neuer. a clerk Is
said 10 have pointed out Devln TO the man
ager the man who had just sent out
Jacob Rubin with a message. Rubin re-
turned TO the office He says that the man
who sent him to Donnelly asked him vino
had signed the receipt, and when Rubin
said that Donnelly's clerk had done so he
replied: That's too bad. / must have Dom
nellys own signature"
Donnelly hurried right down 10 the Dis
trict Attorneys Office and told Of the pro-
ceeding lie wanted 10 give up the $50.
but he was directed to keep IL. Raymond
b. Fosdick, Commissioner of Accounts, was
informed. He knew Devln. having once
made charges against him which resulted
in his being removed from a condemnation
commission by Justice Bowling He found,
it is said, that Devln. either directly or
by proxy, was interested in each OF the
parcels OF land on which he wanted the
valuation increased.
Two weeks after receiving the first mes
sage another note was received by Don
nelly 1t was as follows:
| can imagine your mental condition, but
do not keep angry. Wish nothing. Your
policy thoroughly understood. and without
the slightest feeling. Forget IL all,
We can do excellent work in printing. and
! send YOU a sample. Am receiving quite
a number of orders and never was in bet
Kindly leave COR send sample with your
stcnographer including Enclosures sent
(s2JO YOU that rainy afternoon through W.
L. messenger and oblige yours, with best
wishes, VI. +. DENLlN.
As soon as Commissioner Fosdick had
completed dis investigation last Tuesday
Aaron J. Colnon. the Assistant District At
torney TO whom the matter was intrusted,
got the warrant from Magistrate Krotel
Deylin was dismissed from the principal
ship OF Public School g. in King street. on
June q. 1911. 1t was charged that in Feb
ruary, 1910. while he was principal OF the
school, lac was also drawing pay from the
city as condemnation commissioner He
pleaded guilty but Judgment was suspend
cd for months. His wife alleged that his
actions had been inComprehensible at times
ever since long illness he had had sew
hnfnrn