New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-15
Mayor Assailed by Angry
Staten Islanders at
Rousing Rally.
CANS USED TO GIVE
MEETING ATMOSPHERE
Mitchell Not Our Boss Shouts
Irate Banker-Others Urge
Revolt from City.

Sandwiched in between garbage cans
Of Questionable antecedents. indignant
speakers a; the anti-dumping ground
mass meeting on Staten Island last
night used the shorter and uglie- word
in referring 20 Mayor Mitchell and
many longer and more Objectionable
ones in referring 70 his policies
Several speakers broadly intimatcd
that they were ready for violence. if
it became necessary 20 resort 20 such
sep. to prevent the erection e he
proposed city garbage disposal plant
on Staten Island The $500 men and
women who crowded into the German
Club rooms AT Stapleton 70 voice their
protest against the reduction plant
chcered these sentiments, and left no
doubt as 20 their own views toward
such radical steps.
Banking interests. twenty-orc civic
organizations social clubs and political
bodies we're represented a. the mass
meeting. which was held under tho
auspices Of the Vigilance Committee Of
Staten Island James 4. Timolat
president OF the Staten Island Club and
a banker, acted al presiding officer.
Speak of Revolt
The cans that provided an atmos-
phero for the stage bore labels on which
were printed such slogans as these: I'VE
refuse 20 let them make a dumping
ground of Staten Island" and Were
going 10 hght them
Its time for Us 20 take up arms and
defend our homes II they insist on max
ing Staten Island the dumping ground
for the other four boroughs,' said Mr.
Timolat "Also. It's tine we were get
ting out OF greater New York"
Edward G. Bridgmap. president Of the
Staten Island Savings Bank, was tae
first speaker openly 20 accuse Mayor
Mitchell OF lying 20 residents OF the
island. So great was the applause
when he made the charge that ne was
unable 20 continue for several minutes.
lie may be Mayor o. New York, tenn
pOrarily," began the banker, "but Mr.
Mitchell is not our boss. lie told Us q
lie about this matter. He said no ac-
tion would be taken until there had
been public hearing Of Staten Island
property owners. ! knew Mr.. Mitchel's
father. and he was a gentleman. All
can say for the son is that he has
polished up a little. But that is all
there is 70 him"
The best rebuke we could admins
ter TO the Mayor for his charge that
the New York Disposal Corporation
was behind the protests from Staten
Island, is 70 be found az this meet
ing" said Francis Leman. lawyer.
Wilcox Opposes Plant.
William G.. Wilcox, president of the
Board Of Education, surprised those
who had insisted that he would not
dare to oppose the Mayor IN ms
matter, By appearing among the
speakers and garbage cans on the plat
form and vigorously opposing the cree
ton OF the disposal plant
1t has been said that | was near TO
the Mayor-that dare not oppose him
in anything" said Mr. Wilcox. iii
admit that | am close TO the Mayor
and tina; admire many things that he
has done. But in this matter do not
agree with him, and say, as you do.
that we cannot permit the use OF this
island as a dumping ground FOR the
other four boroughs."
Ex-Congressm Montague LESSER
denounced the project as an outrage,
suggesting immediate grand jury action
against those persons who are found
guilty OF responsibility for TINS
scheme"
Would March to City Hall.
81 feel certain that the plant Will
not be erected on the island IN spite
OF the contract made by the Mayor.
was a significant remark OF F. II. Yer
don. III only 100 reliable men say
that il cannot be erected here 1t never
will be.
1T is time that the Mayor was com
pelled TO make an answer 20 the resi-
dents Of Staten Island for his actions
on this garbage disposal question.
think that an army of 10000 men,
women and children should march over
10 the City Hall, in Manhattan. and
call him out upon the steps ana de-
mand an explanation from hh."
/ shouts OF Were ready. men
shall we start" greeted this sugges
tion. and several men seriously began a
canvass of those present IN an ehort
10 work out plan FOR the march.
Resolutions finally were UNANIMOUSLY
adopted under which the Borough OF
/ Richmond Building Department was or
dered 20 issue no permit for the cree
ton OF the contemplated plant on
Staten Island. II this IL done, the con.
struction work, it was explained. would
be tied UP in the courts indefinitely.