New-York tribune., 1917-09-09
Appraisers Story
On City Park Deals
Called 'Quibbling'
Prendergast Agent Has
Changed Testimony, Says
the Prosecutor

Charles OMalley, land expert en-
ployed by Controller Prendersast' is
sued a denial yesterday that he had
told Assistant District Attorney kilr"e
that he appraised the Seaside PARK
property at $4,000 an acre solely on
representations made to him by Will
lam NJ. Grevc, vice-president OF the
Neponsit Realty Company, which soid
the land to the city.
"The fact is" said Mr., OMalley'
that examined 100 lots that had been
sold by he Nesansit company. and
have a printed list of the purchasers
showing prices. This list can be yeri-
fed from the books of the Neponsit
company. which is the only realty com
pany owning property in that neigh-
borhood
"My inquiry showed that inside lots'
2o1loO feet, had sold for $500. ana iolS
on the Atlantic Ocean side, slightly
deepcr. had sold as high as $1,000. The
average acreage value at the low rate
WAS about sl2.SOO, including streets
and the average acreage Na1ue -
high rate was $4,000
Made Three-Day Appraisal
Nv ONalley also denied that he had
told Mr.. Kilroe he had not vlsi'e0 ''''
81 snert three DAYS inspecting land
On Rockaway peninsula oeioFe iN"O'
my appraisal" he said. ., - u.
O,Wslloy had said. declared that the
land EXPERT was "quibbhng. u.
"Nr OMalley may hSve had that lls'
Of 100 lots when he issued hls denial
hu+ he did not have il on Friday, .when
cYamincd him." he said. He toto me
+ber that he had not examined any lo'S'
Nc Aid saw that Greve had given MN
i;s, ~ lots which the Neponslt COM
many had sold on their improved oe-
,,oionr,ent a mile or so east OF the sea
si5c park site and near 10 the troIley
i;,e That is an entirely different prop
nsit;on He also said lie went down 70
pacLavav with Greve once, not three
Nj Wr, OMalley also denied yesterdsy
.La. =. rad told Mr.. Kilroe that MI.
croye had advanced $4,000 TO HIM 10
csrrv a stock flyer in May, 1916; ne
90 he had given Greve check ior
sIo non TO carry the stock. lie also
said he could not remember whetner
bc used cash or a check when ne psld
back $500 which Greve had loaned MIN
district Attorney Swami, on near
ING OMalley's version Of the STOCK
,rsnsaction. issued subpGnss duces
tecun, for all of 0Malley's cheek
hooks or for his voucher receipts Inc
se,o subppnas were issued tor
Greve's accounts with Van Emourgh
4 Atterbury, brokers, Of Nassau
S.rse. dating from January !, lslo'
N January, 1914, and for the per
eo,sI accounts of William II. Reynolds
IN tho National Nassau Bank for the
sams period and also for Greve's per
sonal account in the Flatbush branch
Of the Corn Exchange Bank.
District Attorney Swami was talk
ING taxnavers suit yesterday as the
only vav 10 recover the money when
he saws the city has lost IN the Sea
side Park deal.
Taxpayers Suit Considered
Criminal prosecution won't get the
citv's money back" he said. What
the people ought to get is 100000
from the men who shared the Sl,26O,-
600. That Is the amount named by
CORPORATION Counsel Watson in his
brief when the award was opposed be
fore Justice Benedict In Brooklyn. II
represents the difference between the
actual and the swollen value. I'm
fortunately. the Corporation Counsel
did not appeal from Justice Benedlcts
decision"
Mr.. Swami told reporters that he
vas not entertaining any intention of
instituting such a suit.
Mr.. OMalley has been subp9nsed
70 appear tomorrow at the District
Attorneys Office for another examina-
ton. although the extraordinary grand
Jury will not convene again until
Wednesday.