New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-20
Var Department Knows of
Only One Measure, Says
Representative
COME ONE "PLAYING
poLITICS," SAYS MILLS
marx Commissioner Smith
Explains Action Urged
bv Bakers Agent

,.,-a Representative 'ou" D. Ti'-se'
.Asirman Of the House Appropria-
csmmittee. to State Senator Rob-
Wagner. minority leader. The
.rs raised a direct question Of
If between the War Department
~ accredited agents, Colonel Abb
and William Tod Wilcox, who
:, 70 have enacted in connection
!. the fertilization project a bill
Ming New York City to dispose of
u,.erfront land TO upland owners
Rrooklyn and Queens. The tele-
ran follows:
,go, Robert F. Wagner, State Cham
Der. Albany. n. Y.
Secretary Of War informs me that
/. las no information regarding eff
49,, % pass bill authorizing City Of
y,v York 20 relinquish rights to pri-
| -, parties. and so far as he is aware
!. United States las no interest in
g,h legislation.
JOHN }. I'll LGEnALO.
rhat message made such a muddle
= the situation that Senator Wagner
.,u.d I'd Representative Fitzgerald on
!. lon0 distance telephone for further
,,-.irulsrs. Senator Wagner was in
ned then that not only did the War
n.,srtnent have no information about
4, much criticised bill, but that IL was
s,,rested only in the passage OF the
-, Rockaway bill. which enabled the
~ 70 cede TO the Federal government
.,ir the under water land. The War
nsnartmeut. Senator Wagner was in
i,rned. had no interest whatsoever in
lsyslstion enabling the city to cede its
lghts 70 private upland owners.
Some One playing Politics"
Senator Mills, in whose name and
,,ssnee both bills were introduced,
,ftsr a telegram from Senator Wads-
Forth and conferences with z. A. c.
Smith. Dock Commissioner, and Mr..
Wilcox. declared tonight that he would
rOt proceed until he found out who is
-pl4ying politics" The first Mills bill
cabling the city TO cede necessary
and 10 the government has been
nssed. The second. enabling the city
. dispose Of underwater rights TO
private upland owners. was withdrawn
zst week when the cry was raised that
I; vas grab legislation.
Senator Mills had intended 20 intro
6Hce tomorrow a substitute for the
second which would provide specifically
isf the city 10 dispose to upland own
srs only the land necessary 70 be coded
10 enable the government 20 proceed
with the erection of Notifications at
Rocksxzy.
4 have wired the Secretary Of War
said Senator Mills. "to find out whether
Colorsl Abbot and Mr.. Wilcox had
the rght 20 represent the War Depart
ueni IN this matter I am determined
. fna out who is playing politics be
lore proceed any further
Just before Senator Wagner got the
telegram Thomas o. McGill arrived in
Albany With a letter from Dock Com
missioner F. A. c. Smith, addressed to
Governor Whitman. Lieutenant Cover
Hor Sehoeueck, Speaker Sweet and the
members Of the Legislature, explaining
re inception Of the Rockaway legisla-
loa and assuming responsibility for
ias same
Commissioner Smith Explains
During the last few days" wrote
lonmissioner Smith, considerable
pace has been given in the public press
. suggestions Of Interior motives on
as part Of officials OF the City Of New
i0rk in the matter Of the bills intro
e-ssd By Senator Mills for the United
yates and primarily AZ the request OF
ne United States government, and |
you'd have 10 known that / personally
\ assume al responsibility for the intro
,seron o. the legislation and cordially
AHis an Official investigation con-
ssning the whole matter"
Commissioner Smith went on TO say
hai Colonel Abbot. United States en-
n'ser In charge Of the New York dis
NtI te.ephoned him on February
Hnag the city 20 take immediate ac-
/ .9h 70 have legislation introduced 20
tsss the way for the government 70
NLs title 20 certain property at Rock
ssay Point for national defence pur-
1 poses
After the preparation Of the first
a. continued Commissioner Smith,
read u % Colonel Abbot over the
Nspnons, and be advised me that It
void not be sufficient After further
emulation IL was thought best 20 ask
ie eity's representative in Albany TO
ave second bill prepared similar to
ts so-eslled Walker bill Of last year,
~ 70 modified as 20 meet the present
a'1stion. We we're informed that the
rternment had made terms with the
a.I<rn cnf-
cement q disputed titles OF the land
.--s' water between the owners OF the
.laac and the city. The upland own
refuse very properly 20 be cut on
Va iheir land % the west Of the con-
(np.zted government reservation ana
eaieh the government cannot as
80 o. ordinary precaution give ac-
,snmissioner Smith explained that
<f ne second Mills bill had been
soaleec be talked 10 over with the
go ard continued
me Mayor stated that ne was ad-
- % ne introduction Of any meas
broader than Vss absolutely neces-
iof ne 4tsckaVay Point defences.
saort - beer made 20 convince
Il. p1oAc that This is an attempt on
A.. psfL o. t1e city administration 10
general authority % ALLEVIATE
--1<firont IN Brooklyn and Queens.
lis Contention iz absurd and IN.
=. go TO say that the city should
,,.i hass power % sell land absolutely
49, ior city pier development u
es'ihlHT upland owners, VINO may
49, Tor commercial purposes,
-. nat city officials are not com
g., ara their integrity is plainly
.rs,,sshse' and u they are not % be
,,,. . handle a matter Of this
81 =, @,eT are not ~ 20 handle any OF
4 - yyslen.s connected with the com
ii Welfare o. the community"
E. Z
1..a