The evening world., 1921-06-16
CITY TO PAY $4,000
EACH FOR LOTS t
SOLDAT $500 EACH
Comptroller Charges Collusion
in Selection of Coney Island
School Site.
HOT WORDS,AT HEARING
Hirshfield Backs Up Mayors
Stand-Suspicion Cast on
the Deal.

Charging that collusion has been
attempted in the selection of q school
site on Coney Island. Comptroller
Craig announced at to-days meeting
Of the Sinking Fund Commission that
the matter ought to be laid before
the Grand Jury. where It belongs"
The Comptroller openly charged
that DR.. Edward u. Shallow. Associ-
ate Superintendent OF Schools, held
something up his sleeve" in connec-
ton with the selection OF the school
site and that II the recommendation
OF the Board of Education are carried
out land in the neighborhood of Coney
Island Creek. which the city has just
sold for $500 q lot, must be rcpur-
chased by the city at the rate Of g. 600
lot.
Mayor Hylan has ordered a sweep
ing investigation of the Comptroller's
charges, and at to-day's meeting of
the Sinking Fund Commission intro
duced resolution resembling the re-
lease TO private owners of the Nep-
tune Avenue land figuring in the
scandal. The title to this land, which
is partly located on the south aide of
Neptune Avenue. between West 29th
and West 37th Streets, had been
clouded although the city claimed to
own 1t. In fact, the latest court de-
cision, now on appeal Is that the city
Is the real owner.
AS soon as Mayor Hylan's resolu-
lion reclaiming the property 1t had
released to private owners had been
read. Comptroller Craig declared that
its only purpose was to drag Shall
low out OF a hole" The Comptroller
contended that the Mayors resolu-
ton was not a matter for the calen-
dar He made the charge that the
nome the Neptune Avenue prop
erty passed from the city into
private hands It's price had been
jumped frdyh $500 to $4,000 n lot, and
that upon Shadows recommendation
three sites. approximating $1,000
lot, were substituted.
The Comptroller pointed out that
right across the street from these
now privately owned sites the city
owns property Ideally suited for
school purposes. and that this land
has been ignored by DR.. Shallow and
the Board Of Education.
Mayor Hyian told the Comptroller
that DIR. Shallow had informed him
that the supposed city-owned prop
erty on Neptune Avenue was "in the
middle of Coney Island Creek" The
Comptroller replied that "either Shall
low does not know what no Is talking
about OF deliberately lies
IL went down to Neptune Avenue
on Saturday" said the Mayor, and
examined the property. The Comp
troller once said Coney Island Creek
was mile and "a half from the north
side OF Neptune Avenue. l found It
was right alongside It,"
Commissioners of Accounts Hirsh-
field was called by the Mayor. Hirsh-
field declared he, too, had visited Nep-
tune Avenue. and that he had found
n houseboat moored to the north side
OF the street.
You must have been full OF hooch
when you saw that houseboat," re-
piled the Comptrollw.
Hirshfield said he never drinks.
Hugh +. Skelly. n former brewer,
was mentioned as owner of one OF the
three plots recommended by the
Board OF Education. An Assistant
Corporation Counsel told the Mayor
he was endeavoring to prevent the
delivery OF the deed to Mr.. Skelly.
The Comptroller again attacked
Shallow. He said: "The whole mo-
tive behind this proceeding to-day is
Shallow, the man who has held these
school sites up his sleeve and who
recommended them TO the Board OF
| Education after the property had
passed into private ownership. Other
sites were rejected to clear the wey
for those on Nepune Avenue. / charge
|
to relieve Shallow Of the onus OF with
drawing the only site the Board Of
Estimate could properly approve for
school purposes"
There was n serious clash between
the Mayor and Comptroller Craig
when the former charged that tho
Comptroller, who recommended that
the city dispose OF the south side of
Neptune Avenue for $500 a lot and
back taxes, knew that the property
was wanted for school purposes and
would be selected.
That statement is absolutely un-
true and you don't know what you are
talking about" retorted the Comp
troller.
You had a letter on your desk
from Shallow telling you that the
Board of Education was after those
sites" insisted the Mayor
Meanwhile the Corporation Coun-
sci and the Comptroller will consider
the advisability OF laying the entire