New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-27
MQvOr ANSWERS POtter'S
Denial of SIS, 900 Fund
Gives Out Letter in Which He Reported to Gaynor that
Sum Had Been Raised for Clergyman by Catholic
Charitable Institutions.

raised the standard Of the work; he
had done a great deal to have the emil,
dren better cared for; he had advocated
n special system for teaching: he ad-
vocatcd a high standard for teaching
and more systematic forms, and we
never received any money FOR our
scholars. not one cent, and he put that
question before the Board of Apprais-
ers and received small amount, II is
true. but il helped US very much to
raise the standard OF education. We
got 80 cents week. and that helped
very much He also helped in the
matter of placing before the board the
maintenance Of the children. The
amount was too small 81 but they
allowed him raised il TO S2.25. That
made a great difference in the revenue
of a big concern. in big institution
Brought Budget Increase.
"The special allowance for education
TO which Father Fitzpatrick referred
I'm the above quotation had been made
several years prior to that time. The
increase in the budget for 1907 for the
maintenance of children in private in
stitutions was largely brought about
through the efforts Of DR.. Potter 1t
was Immediately after the new main
tenance rate had gone into effect that
Father Fitzpatrick gave his $500 to
Father Mcmahon, as set forth IN the
testimony above quoted.
"In explanation Of this matter, Dr..
Potter was summoned and placed under
oath. lie denied that he ever received.
directly or indirectly, any money from
any Catholic institution in the city,
nor had he ever heard of any plan To
pay him.
Father J. u. Mcmahon, supervisor
Of Catholic charities, to whom Father
Fitzpatrick testified he paid the $500,
was examined on September l6, imme-
diately subsequent to his return from
Europe. lie admitted receiving the
$500 from Father Fitzpatrick for the
purpose Of making a present TO DIR. Pot
ter, but stated that after the money
had been received the plan had been
changed, and the money was used for
other purposes. He denied emphatical-
ly that the money ever reached DR.. Pot
ter
Father Fitzpatrick's check was never
used for the purpose, he thought
Whether he had told Father Fitzpatrick
Of this change Of plans he could not
recall. He stated that at the time that
the proposed present came up, con-
siderable sum of money was raised by
him from various Catholic institutions
to defray the expense Of his own per
sonal supervision of their institutional
work. These funds he deposited in a
special account at the Fifth Avenue
National Bank, and from them he made
drafts to other accounts which he main
tanned. The incompleteness of his rec
ords made it impossible for him 20
show specifically how all these funds
had been used.
Knew Nothing Of Claim.
an regard to the judgment claim Of
Austin Nichols against Or. Potter.
which Father Fitzpatrick was alleged
TO have purchased out of funds of his
institution, DR.. Potter testified he knew
nothing of this transaction until after
Father Fitzpatrick had settled he
claim. This claim. which was original
~ in the amount of $500, for groceries
furnished to an institution with which
DR.. Potter had formerly been con-
nected, was sold to Father Fitzpatrick
for 5000. DR.. Potter had apparently
never seen hi TO reimburse Father Fitz-
patrick, although he continued in the
iHti''' department Tor some time al
salary of $1,000 per annum.
Father Fitzpatrick, in the kindness
OF his heart, without ever consulting
ne, vent and bought that judgment,
and IT ls in his name 10 this day. He
paid 500 for 1t, and he has never been
reimbursed. lie did il without
my knowledge or consent. When |
heard 1t almost wept / told him it
put me IN an embarrassing position.
During this period DR.. Potter was
charged under the law with the re-
sponsibility of auditing the claims and
accounts of the Mission Of the Immac-
ulate Virgin, the amounts of which in
1907 Appropriated Sl55,000.
Respectfully submitted
John PURROY Mitchell.
Commissioner of Accounts"