The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-31
ATTACK ON GAYNOR
RESENTED BY WIDOW
She Writes That Late Mayor
Must Have "Bruiscd the
Serpent's Head.'
MOSS JABS AT SMITH

-
The late Mayor Gaynor's widow. Mrs'
Augusta e. t;aynor. replied yesterday
to Dock Commissioners H. a. G. Smiths
letter TO her expressing the sincere re-
erct Of Mayor Gaynor's friends over
tho insinuations cmanating from the
Thomson legislative committee. Mrs.
Gaynor wrote that she could only th'nk
that her husband must have bruised
the scrpcnt's head" TO call forth inns
"venomous attack upon his good name
when ho can no longer defend aim
self" MAYOR Gaynor. she said. not only
Impoverished his estate. but gave his
life for the people of New York
shortly after tho letter was published
yesterday afternoon the Mayor Gaynor
Memorial Association. in meeting at loo
broadway, subscribed to a statement
sdop,cd by the executive committee and
spread on the minutes defending the ate
executive and assailing the methods OF
the Thompson committee as regards the
anonymous gossip and scandar' per-
mitted in the testimony for the com-
~
mittce's record. The statement was
signed by, Ardolph l.. Kline. Archibald
u. Watson. n. Ross Appleton. Frank
Tucker, Charles Stccklcr. Robert Adam
son, 4. q. McC;il,. James Speyer and
X. 4. c. Smith. chairman OF the assoc
citation.
Tc,t NJ statement.
The statement reads:
The Mayor Gaynor Memorial AS
~sociation feels convinced that tho late
Mayor Gaynor needs no defence be-
fore the people OF New York. among
whom he lived and In whose service
no practically rave his life. But this
association desires solemnly and pub
licly to record its deep resentment aud
disapproval of the methods of public
inquiry which by permitting as test'-
mony the repetition OF anonymous
gossip and scandal tends to discredit
the memory of a man deserving only
the honor and gratitude Of our city
and State.
Such attacks by innuendo are sui'i-
ciently reprehensiblc where the indi-
,idual concerned In alive and able TO
face his %traduccrs. The offence cam
not be too strongly condemned by all
fair minded men and women where
the victim is dead.
n exchange of letters between Mrs.
Gaynor and Dock Commissioner Smith
occasioned a wordy conflict between the
Commissioner and Frank Moss. counsel
TO the Thompson committee. Mr.. Smith
In hts communication TO Mrs. ';aynor
referred to the committees methods as
unfair and unjust. Mr.. Moss countered
by reciting Mr.. Smiths association with
tha pt,rtprntrh Mat rpnnlttap .nv,,an.
with Thoma +. Ryan and. he said. with
former City Chamberlain Charles ~.
Hyde. Mr.. Smith declared the latter
statement "a damned lie but without
rejecting Oh Mr.. Hyde"
Mrs. Ga.nOr's Letter.
Mrs. Caynor's reply to Commissioner
Smith from Dccpwclls. tho Gaynor
homo At ST. James, l.. l., follows:
Dean Mr.. SMITH: 1t was with n
great deal Of emotion that I read
your letter about my husband. for the
family has suffered much in silence.
and 1t Is rood to know that there are
still friends left who are ready and
willing to defend him. There was no
dishonor in his l!fe-he left no stain
upon his name-and I can only think
that he must have bruised the SER
penis head very severely to call
forth this attack upon his
good name, when he can 10 longer
defend himself.
My husband not only impoverished
his estate. but he gave his life to the
people OF New York they are just
and fair. and I cannot but feel that he
will live long In their hearts and
minds as an upright man who Was
unafraid. Sincerely yours.
AUGUSTA 4. GAyNoR.
II am heartily in sympathy with
every one who feels sorry and rcgretful
over the bringing ont of the name OF
Mayor Gaynor and others in the inves-
tigation.' said Mr.. Moss. the naming
o. individuals, however. has been done nv
witnesses in every case and not by coun-
sel or the committee"
The Thompson committee Is scheduled
10 reconvenc again this morning to take
w the trail of the messenger who told
FOL. Timothy =. Williams OF the n. II. n.
that "A certain public officials support
for the u. X. It's subway proposal in
1911 could be obtained for $500. 900.