The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-10
TELLS MAYOR HIS
CHARGE Is FALSE
McElheny Resents Being Put
in Class With the Food
Monopolists.
REFUSES TO APOLOGIZE
Stormy Session Of Hearing on
Plan for Terminal Market
for Bronx.

Victor X. McElheny. president of the
Fruit Auction Company. arose at a pup
lie hearing before the Board Of EST
mate and Apportionment yesterday t.
tell why he did not believe In the estaD-
lishment by the city OF n wholesale ter
minal market in The Bronx.
Before he had chance to start an ad-
dress In opposition to the scheme Mayor
Hylan looked him over and said
Before you begin want to tell you
that all these people are here to-day
clamoring for a public terminal market
because OF men like you and those you
represent who have a monopoly on the
foodstuffs OF the city
The Mayor shook his finger at Mr.. Nc
Elheny. too.
''Mr. Mayor" said Mr. McElheny. say
ing things right OF the bat. when you
said that l or my associates have a
monopoly on the food of this city you
uttered an absolute falsehood.'
Many applauded. lots Missed and there
was a general all round registration Of
Joy and displeasure. The Mayor banged
his gave,, and after much rat-a-tstting
he restored a first class initiation of or
der. Borough President Riegelmann OF
Brooklyn suggested that before Mr. Nc
Elheny be permitted to proceed he ought
to apologize. He then moved that Mr.,
McElheny apologize or retire.
Mr.. McElheny did not do either. He
merely walked to the rear OF the room.
The members OF the board had a whis-
pered conference. Everybody was silent
because everybody was wondering what
was coming next
After several minutes elapsed Comp
troller Craig remarked he was sorry the
incident had occurred. He said he would
be glad II Mr.. McElheny would come
forward and continue his talk. He be-
lieved Mr.. McElheny had lost his head
for n moment and did not realize what
he was saying.
Mr.. McElheny worked his way TO the
'front.' said he was willing to forget the
incident and go ahead.
Mr.. Mayor" he said. I'm a sport and
am perfectly willing to forget and con-
tinue II you desire"
Borough President Connolly OF Queens
expressed his belief that it was more
than a matter of forgetting and that
there ought to be an apology or Mr..
NcFlheny should take his seat
apologize like a man" shoIHed a
voice and there was more confusion.
Under the circumstances l can say
no more" Mr.. McElheny remarked,
whereupon he gathered up his overcoat
and hat and walked out
The public hearing was on a petition
Of the Manhattan and Bronx Retail Gro
GERS Association for the establishment
Of wholesale terminal market in The
Bronx. DR.. Jonathan c. Day. Market
Commissioner, said the petition had
been broadeDcd so as to take in all the
boroughs. IL the markets were estab-
lished. he declared. II would mean a
saving OF SIS 100000 a year to the con-
sumers
Cyrus C. Miller, formerly Borough
President of The Bronx and chairman
| Of Mayor Gaynor's commission on ter
| mlnal markets said the construction OF
a wholesale market in The Bronx would
| help the entire city. Mr. Miller said Il
costs 100000 a year to transfer food
. stuffs by trucks while railroads could
| deliver II direct to the terminal markets
| Mrs. Louisa Welmiller of The Bronx
| said women were the main purchasers
OF food and they know what ought &c
he done. She added they feel that the
| high cost Of transportation is chal
lenge to. the intelligence of the peopl,
| of New York