New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-11
Continued from pagc


Tells Of Duty to Public
"My conviction is, although am an
employe Of the Public Service Commits
sion and dependent for my livelihood
upon the salary receive, that a larger
duty confronts a public servant IN the
situation thus created.
"The Governor OF the state request
cd a report on city land values IN
VOWED in a deal OF such magnitude
that il is second only in Importance
TO the dual subway. This convnces
me that the whole transaction needs
public airing. My investigation leads
me TO the belief that the eity's interest
is in danger and that the loss to the
city through the erroneous appraisal
bases already discovered would be
enormous.
81 therefore deem it my duty to
sever my connections with the COM
mission. As a private citizen may
give to the public the true appraisal
TO which it is entitled, and without
which il will be made to suffer an un-
just burden.
Therefore. this letter is to be con
strued as my resignation as real estate
expert of the Public Service Commis-
sion. to take effect forthwith.
81 am constrained TO take this step
by these additional facts:
"First-When request was maze
that my services as real estate eN-
pert be placed at the disposal OF realty
holders whose interests were at STAKE,
II was officially stated for the com
mission that the services of ITS expert
should not be employed by any prl-
vate interest. II was obvious at the
time that the realty interests OF abut-
ting property owners constituted a
community Of interests amounting 70
public concern. and in the deal that is
pending one Of the parties was the
municipality and the other public
service corporation.
Second When by direction of the
Governor of the state such an ap-
praisal was actually ordered ] was Of
fcially diverted from that investiga-
tion as soon as il was found that my
report might be detrimental to the
interests Of the New York Central and
in the interests of the city's taxpayers.
Opinions Were Tabled
Third. when at the instance of the
New York Real Estate Board the benefit
Of my experience was sought in con-
sulting or advisory capacity It was
tabled and any cooperation was not
sanctioned.
yet nave been an active member
Of the New York Real Estate Board for
many years The city administration
requested the services of a committee
Of the New York Real Estate Board
to cooperate with the Board of Esti-
mate in determining the real estate
values in the contract already referred
TO. Ny services on such a committee
obviously would have been in line with
the request OF the Governor for re-
port on the values involved. Yet my
hands are tied.
Fourth. / call your attention 10 the
fact that the city administration, which
AZ fret refused counsel with the Pub
4 lie Service Commission. now cooperates
20 the extent of naming sub-commlt-
tee 20 meet with subcommittee from
your body. This. 20 my mind, Is not
in conformity with the request Of the
/ Governor. He did not seek the city
! administration views. lie did not
seek the views Of a subcommittee or
the Public Service Commission after
conferences with city officials. He
asked for an independent appraisal by
, the Public Service Commissions real
estate expert, who is not associated IN
any way with the city officials who are
making The contract with the railroad.
Such an inquiry is now impossible
by your body.
20 serve are defeated so far as any
official action by the Public Service
Commission is concerned.
Controller Prendergsst issued state
ment in which he charged that the
resignation and accompanying charges
were another feature Of the Hearst
, campaign against the proposed agree
ment.
Prendergast Makes Answer
of Ccderstrom has any idea that
his connection with these professional
vilifers is unknown he IS very much
mistaken" said the Controller. IN
my opinion ne never should have held
the nosition of real estate expert for
the Public Service Commission, for the
reason that he was not qualified TO
hold il. and | think the commission
very fortunate If it will be able 70
cot rid OF him. He knew very well
! That his appraisal in this case would
bc subjected to search and analysis
Nv impartial men and he would ulu.
nnately be proved TO be both prejudlced
and incompetent.
borough President Marks, who al,
,esdv has expressed his intention OF
voting against the proposed contract
Indicated that he agreed with at least
some OF the assertions made by Ceder-
strom. 49, H..
81 have felt all the time that there
was something radically wrong with
the real estate valuations. involved IN