The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-24
us. OUT $47,5OO
ON LAUNCH SALE
$4,000 Vessel, Wanted by
City Of Newark. Obtained
by Broker for $4,000.
$4,000 OFFER SPuRNED
Fire Capt. Quigley Finally
Gets Boat, Giving First
Buyer $4,000 Profit.

The steam launch Grover Cleveland,
a Government boat that did its bit in
the war and was among the leftovers
when the floating stock Of the Army
Transport Service was reorganiZed,
was bought yesterday by the city Of
Newark for use as fireboat for slS.-
500. The deal was closed before the
city Of Newark found that the United
States Government sold the Grover
Cleveland tc q broker a few weeks
ago for $4,000. That fact reminded the
Newark authorities that the sale to
the broker was consummated at time
when they were offering $4,000 for the
craft
A little figuring on paper showed the
Newark men that the entrance of the
broker into the deal cost the Govern
ment at least $500 and the city OF
Newark about $500.
About the same time they surveyed the
C;r over Cleveland and decided they
shouldn't find fault. The survey proved
the boat for whici, they had given s1s,-
500 to be worth al least $4,000. Re
peating the calculation on that new basis
II was shown tina. the Government lost
about s47,500. william j. Brennan. Di-
,ector of Public Safety OF Newark. said
the city was well satisfied.
Selling Boat Nobody's Business.
On September IS Mr.. Brennan went to
froboken with Fire Captain Mathew j
ouigley TO inspect the Grover Cleveland
notices having been received that she
was for sale. They waited around for sew
ersl hours but In the maze of clerks and
other employees they could find no one
authorized to receive bids FOR the vessel.
| Mr. Brennan says he finally LETT the
transport base, telling Capt. Quigley tc
.stav there until lie found some one who
kpew about the launch.
The captain at last located Capt
Ramon r.. Harrison oc the legal branch
OF the transportation service. IL was ex'
pla;ned In Newark last night. Under the
authority given him by Mr. Brennan
Cant. Quigley offered Capt. Harrison
| 10000 for the boat. The latter said he
d!dnt have the authority TO make the
| sale for the Government. but that ht
would call the matter 10 the attention OF
| Lieut.. Otto Rur dc. the Off 'er in charge
OF the sale The Newark fire captain
was told to return the following day.
The next day. when Capt. Quiglel
called at the Hohoken piers. he couldn'
| find the Grover Cleveland. Inquiry dis
closed. it is alleged. that the launch hat
been sold by Lieut.. Ruude TO broker
Ernest Rudolph Of Brooklyn.
Brokers Price Rises 20 $4,000.
So Capt. Quigley journeyed over Il
the brokers' office and opened negotia
tions. He found that Rudolph wanted
| ss5, 5,00e for the launch. That was highe
than he ;ould go without further wor,
| from Mr.. Brennan. and he forthwith
called the latter and explained the eitu
! alton. Newark was bound TO have ;
I nreboat, and Mr.. Brennan. knowing III
was getting a bargain FOR his town, au
! tIiorized Capt. Qugiey to 20 as high al
$4,000.
Back in Rudolphs office. it is alleged
Capt, Qugley shaved down the llmi
! ard made an offer Of sis.50o. Il wa
accepted. according TO statements mad
in Newark. yesterday. and arrangement
were made fer the broker 20 close IN
deal IN the City Hall. Newark.
! When Rudolph arrived at Newark Cit.
Hall and laid his bill Of sale from III
| Government on the table. IL Is alleges
further, Il was seen that he did not be
come the owner OF the launch until Sep
tcnber 30. two days after Newark mad
It's offer. and that his price was Jus
one-fourth that offered oy Mr.. Brennan
and Capt. ouigley in behalf OF the city.