L. I. City Improvements

New York, 1895

Treasurer Knapp Has Another Lawsuit About Them to Defend.

Long Island City's general improvement commission, which began in December, 1893, to spend $1,500,000 in building sewers and paving certain avenues in that city, was compelled to suspend operations temporarily on Monday and lay off the greater number of their employees and clerks. This condition of affairs was brought about through a refusal on the part of Lucien Knapp, the new city treasurer, to sign additional improvement bonds for the payment of expenses incurred in the work.

Complaints were heard on all sides concerning the manner in which the work was being done and the alleged unnecessary number of inspectors who were employed at big salaries. It was made a feature in the last campaign and aided greatly in the defeat of Frederick W. Bleckwenn, who was running for re-election as city treasurer. When his successful opponent, Mr. Knapp, took his seat he declined to sign any of the bonds. Then an action was brought against him by Sheehan & O'Brien, contractors on the work, to compel him to sign $4,500 worth of bonds. As the corporation counsel of the city is also counsel to the commission, he advised Mr. Knapp to sign the bonds. This Mr. Knapp declined to do, and appeared in court to defend the action, accompanied by private counsel. An adverse decision was rendered against Mr. Knapp, the court holding that as his was simply a ministerial office he had no standing in court in the action.

Notwithstanding that the commission has given out contracts for almost the entire amount of the appropriation, an effort will be made to have it legislated out of office. A bill is to be introduced in Albany with that end in view. It will provide for the appointment of a new commission to finish the work.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, March 22, 1895, p. 1.