Between January 3d and January 20th, inclusive, a period of sixteen business days, 113 marriage ceremonies were performed in Room 10 of the Brooklyn Borough Hall by aldermen. This constitutes an average of seven per day. Of sixteen persons interviewed by representatives of this office, chosen at random from among the list of couples included in the 113 mentioned, ten paid to Oppenheimer $5 each, two paid $3 each, three paid $2 each and one paid nothing. The average price paid by these sixteen couples was accordingly $3.875. It would seem therefore that Mr. Oppenheimer's location in the Brooklyn marriage chapel, on a calculation of 300 days to the year, seven ceremonies per day and $3.871⁄2 fee for each is worth something over $9,000 per annum. Mr. Oppenheimer is not an employee of the City of New York. He asserts that he divides the fees which he receives with no one and says that if he were not permitted to obtain the fees he would not serve as the aldermen's clerk. Just as was formerly done in the Manhattan marriage chapel, the collection of the fee is facilitated in Brooklyn by the affixing to the marriage certificate of an elaborate but unnecessary red seal. Room 10 of the Brooklyn Borough Hall, in which Mr. Oppenheimer is installed and in which the marriage ceremonies from which he derives his income are performed, was formerly known as room No. 3 and was by resolution of the old Municipal Assembly approved by the Mayor on March 2, 1898, "set aside for the continued use of * * the members representing the Borough of Brooklyn in the Municipal Assembly of the City of New York." Jurisdiction over space in the Brooklyn Borough Hall was, by the revision of the Greater New York Charter of 1901 and specifically by present section 205 thereof, vested in the Sinking Fund Commission. It is therefore recommended that the Sinking Fund Commission either assign room 10 for some purpose other than that of use by the Brooklyn aldermen or that, if the room is to continue available for the use of the Brooklyn aldermen, it be assigned to them on the express understanding that they permit no one to be installed in it for the purpose of receiving money from persons for whom they perform marriage ceremonies. Indeed, it would seem that the situation originally disclosed in the Manhattan Marriage Chapel and reproduced in the Brooklyn Borough Hall, demonstrates the wisdom of enacting a bill now pending in the Assembly, introduced by Assemblyman Marsh, which would confer the right to perform marriage ceremonies upon the City Clerk or his deputies. The enactment of that bill would place responsibility for those who participate or assist in the performance of ceremonies and in the performance of the incidental clerical work upon specific public officials and employees and would make it possible, through existing provisions of the penal law and of the Charter, to prevent the recurrence of the present evils. Respectfully submitted, LEONARD M. WALLSTEIN, Commissioner of Accounts. A discussion of the matter was had after which the following resolution was offered for adoption: Resolved, That the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund hereby determine that the use of Room 10 in the Brooklyn Borough Hall, heretofore set aside for the Brooklyn Aldermen as a headquarters or meeting place, shall be continued on condition that marriages therein and the collection of fees be discontinued. Which was adopted by the following vote: Ayes-The Mayor, Deputy Comptroller and the Chamberlain. Present and excused from voting: The President of the Board of Aldermen and Chairman of the Finance Committee, Board of Aledrmen. Adjourned. JOHN KORB, JR., Secretary. COMMISSIONERS OF THE SINKING FUND OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK. Proceedings of the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, at a Meeting Held in Room 16, City Hall, at 11 o'Clock A. M., on Wednesday, February 23, 1916. Present at roll call: John Purroy Mitchel, Mayor; Alexander Brough, Deputy and Acting Comptroller; Henry Bruere, Chamberlain, and Frank L. Dowling, President, Board of Aldermen. Francis P. Kenney, Chairman Finance Committee, Board of Aldermen, arrived later. See note. The Minutes of the meetings held February 9 and 16, 1916, were approved as printed. Dock Department-New Plan for Improvement of the Waterfront Between Canal Street and Grant Street, Borough of Richmond. The Chair called for a public hearing in the matter of the request of the Commissioner of Docks for approval of proposed new plan for improvement of the waterfront and harbor of The City of New York, between Canal Street and Grant Street, Borough of Richmond, adopted by the Commissioner of Docks in accordance with law January 21, 1916 (affidavit as to publication of notice of hearing in the CITY RECORD on file with the papers). Mr. Patrick E. Callahan, representing the Consumers' Coal Company, was heard in opposition to the proposed plan. Mr. Cornelius G. Kolff and Mr. Louis L. Tribus, representing the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, were also heard in regard to the matter. The Commissioner of Docks, who was present, was interrogated by the Chair in regard to the proposed plan. Discussion followed. On motion the hearing was adjourned to be continued at 11 o'clock in the forenoon on Wednesday, March 8, 1916. Board of Education-Renewal of Lease for, of Premises at Nos. 1253-1255 Ogden Avenue, Borough of The Bronx. The Deputy and Acting Comptroller presented the following report and offered the following resolution: To the Honorable_the_Commissioners of the Sinking Fund: February 16, 1916. Gentlemen-The Secretary of the Board of Education in a communication to your Board under date of January 27, 1916, states that at a meeting of the Board of Education held January 26, 1916, a resolution was adopted requesting the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund to adopt a resolution approving of and consenting to the execution by the Board of Education of a renewal of the lease of the two stores on the first floor and large hall on the second floor in the premises 1253-1255 Ogden Avenue, Borough of The Bronx, occupied as an annex to Public School 11, for a period of two years from July 1, 1915, at an annual rental of $2,000, and otherwise upon the same terms and conditions as contained in the lease which expired July 1, 1915, with the exception of the renewal privilege. The Comptroller in a communication to your Board under date of February 20, 1913, recommended the execution of this lease for a period from March 1, 1913, to July 1, 1915, at an annual rental of $2,000, and said report was approved and lease authorized at a meeting of your Board held February 26, 1913. I, therefore, respectfully recommend, the rent being reasonable and just and the same as previously paid, and the City being a holdover tenant, that the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund adopt a resolution approving of and consenting to the execution by the Board of Education of a renewal of the lease of the two stores on the first floor and the large hall on the second floor of the premises 1253-1255 Ogden Avenue, Borough of The Bronx, for a period of two years from July 1, 1915, at a rental of $2,000 a year, payable quarterly, the lessor to pay taxes and water rates, make outside repairs and furnish heat, light, and janitor service, the lessee to make such inside alterations and repairs as it may deem necessary, otherwise upon the same terms and conditions as contained in the existing lease, with the exception of renewal privilege. Lessor, Henry S. Clark, 170 William Street, Manhattan. Respectfully, ALEX. BROUGH, Deputy and Acting Comptroller. Resolved, That the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund hereby approve of and consent to the execution by the Board of Education, of a renewal of the lease to the City, of the two stores on the first floor and large hall on the second floor of premises Nos. 1253-1255 Ogden Avenue, Borough of The Bronx, for a period of two years from July 1, 1915, at an annual rental of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000) a year, payable quarterly; the lessor to pay taxes and water rates, make outside repairs and furnish heat, light and janitor service; the lessee to make such inside alterations and repairs as it may deem necessary, otherwise upon the same terms and conditions as contained in the existing lease, with the exception of renewal privilege; lessor, Henry S. Clark; the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund deeming the said rent fair and reasonable and that it would be for the interests of the City that such lease be made. The report was accepted, and the resolution adopted, all the members present voting in the affirmative. Street Cleaning Department-Renewal of Lease for, of Premises at No. 416 East 64th Street, Borough of Manhattan. The Deputy and Acting Comptroller presented the following report and offered the following resolution: To the Honorable_the_Commissioners of the Sinking Fund: February 18, 1916. Gentlemen-The Commissioner of the Department of Street Cleaning, in a communication to your Board, under date of January 25, 1916, requests a renewal of the lease of the premises No. 416 East 64th Street, Borough of Manhattan, used by that Department as a section station, for a period of one year from April 1, 1916, at an annual rental of $420. The Comptroller in a communication to your Board, under date of February 25, 1915, recommended a renewal of this lease for a period of one year from April 1, 1915, at an annual rental of $420, the same as now asked, and said report was approved and renewal authorized at a meeting of your Board held March 3, 1915. I, therefore, respectfully recommend, the rent being reasonable and just and the same as previously paid, that the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund adopt a resolution authorizing a renewal of the lease of the two single stores, 10 feet by 40 feet each, with three rooms in the rear of each, and front basement space 23 feet by 30 feet, in the five-story brick tenement building, No. 416 East 64th Street, Borough of Manhattan, for use of the Department of Street Cleaning, for a period of one year from April 1, 1916, at an annual rental of $420, payable quarterly; the lessor to put and keep the premises in good and tenantable condition and repair and pay taxes and water rates; the lessee to furnish heat, light and janitor service, otherwise upon the same terms and conditions as contained in the existing lease. Lessor, Louis Tekulsky, No. 188 St. Nicholas Avenue, Manhattan. ALEX. BROUGH, Deputy and Acting Comptroller. Respectfully, Resolved, That the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund hereby approve of and consent to the execution by the Commissioner of Street Cleaning, of a renewal of the lease to the City, of the two single stores, with three rooms in the rear of each and front basement space at No. 416 East 64th Street, Borough of Manhattan, for use of the Department of Street Cleaning, for a period of one year from April 1, 1916, at an annual rental of Four hundred and twenty dollars ($420), payable quarterly; the lessor to put and keep the premises in good and tenantable condition and repair and pay taxes and water rates; the lessee to furnish heat, light and janitor service, otherwise upon the same terms and conditions as contained in the existing lease; lessor, Louis Tekulsky; the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund deeming the said rent fair and reasonable and that it would be for the interests of the City that such lease be made. The report was accepted, and the resolution adopted, all the members present voting in the affirmative. Street Cleaning Department-Renewal of Lease for, of Premises at No. 1319 To the Honorable the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund: February 18, 1916. Gentlemen-The Commissioner of the Department of Street Cleaning, in a communication to your Board under date of February 4, 1916, requests a renewal of the lease of premises at 1319 Foster Avenue, Borough of Brooklyn, for use of the Department of Street Cleaning, as a section station, for a period of one year from May 1, 1916, at an annual rental of $390, payable quarterly, and otherwise upon the same terms and conditions as contained in the existing lease. The Comptroller, in a communication to your Board under date of February 23, 1915, recommended a renewal of this lease for a period of one year from May 1, 1915, at an annual rental of $390, the same as now asked, and said report was approved and renewal of lease authorized at a meeting of your Board held March 3, 1915. Deeming the rent reasonable and just, and it being the same as previously paid, I respectfully recommend that the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund adopt a resolution authorizing a renewal of the lease of the store floor of premises No. 1319 Foster Avenue, Borough of Brooklyn, for use of the Department of Street Cleaning, for a period of one year from May 1, 1916, at an annual rental of $390, payable quarterly; the lessor to pay taxes and water rates, make outside repairs and furnish heat; the lessee to supply light and make such interior repairs as it may deem necessary, and otherwise upon the same terms and conditions as contained in the existing lease. Lessor, Joseph Gold, 824 Eastern Parkway, Borough of Brooklyn. Respectfully, ALEX. BROUGH, Deputy and Acting Comptroller. Resolved, That the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund hereby approve of and consent to the execution by the Commissioner of Street Cleaning, of a renewal of the lease to the City, of the store floor of premises No. 1319 Foster Avenue, Borough of Brooklyn, for use of the Department of Street Cleaning, for a period of one year from May 1, 1916, at an annual rental of Three hundred and ninety dollars ($390), payable quarterly; the lessor to pay taxes and water rates, make outside repairs and furnish heat; the lessee to supply light and make such interior repairs as it may deem necessary, and otherwise upon the same terms and conditions as contained in the existing lease; lessor, Joseph Gold; the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund deeming the said rent fair and reasonable and that it would be for the interests of the City that such lease be made. The report was accepted, and the resolution adopted, all the members present voting in the affirmative. Street Cleaning Department-Renewal of Lease for, of Premises at No. 421 Columbia Street, Borough of Brooklyn. The Deputy and Acting Comptroller presented the following report and offered the following resolution: To the Honorable the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund: February 18, 1916. Gentlemen-The Commissioner of the Department of Street Cleaning, in a communication to your Board under date of February 10, 1916, requests a renewal of the lease of the store floor and front half of cellar of the premises No. 421 Columbia Street, Borough of Brooklyn, for use by the Department of Street Cleaning as a section station, for a term of three years from May 1, 1916, at an annual rental of $240, and otherwise upon the same terms and conditions as contained in the existing lease. The present rental of these premises is $360 per annum, but inasmuch as the Division of Real Estate of this Department is able to provide other quarters at a reduced rental of $120 a year, the owner of the premises now occupied has agreed to renew the lease at an annual rental of $240, thereby affecting a saving of $360 for the term of the lease. Deeming the rent reasonable and just, and it being less than previously paid. I respectfully recommend that the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund adopt a resolution authorizing a renewal of the lease of the store floor and front half of cellar of premises No. 421 Columbia Street, southeast corner of Huntington and Columbia streets. Borough of Brooklyn, for use of the Department of Street Cleaning, for a term of three years from May 1, 1916, at an annual rental of $240, payable quarterly; the lessor to pay taxes and water rates and make outside repairs; the lessee to furnish heat, light and caretaker and make such inside repairs as it may deem necessary, otherwise upon the same terms and conditions as contained in the existing lease. Lessor, Bridget Rvan, Administratrix of the Estate of Patrick O'Neill, deceased, No. 421 Columbia Street, Brooklyn. Respectfully, ALEX. BROUGH, Deputy and Acting Comptroller. Resolved, That the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund hereby approve of and consent to the execution, by the Commissioner of Street Cleaning, of a renewal of the lease to the City, of the store floor and front half of the cellar of premises No. 421 Columbia Street, Borough of Brooklyn, for use of the Department of Street Cleaning, for a term of three years from May 1, 1916, at an annual rental of Two hundred and forty dollars ($240), payable quarterly; the lessor to pay taxes and water rates and make outside repairs; the lessee to furnish heat, light and caretaker and make such inside repairs as it may deem necessary, otherwise upon the same terms and conditions as contained in the existing lease; lessor, Bridget Ryan, Administratrix of the Estate of Patrick O'Neill, deceased; the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund deeming the said rent fair and reasonable and that it would be for the interests of the City that such lease be made. The report was accepted, and the resolution adopted, all the members present voting in the affirmative. Health Department-Renewal of Lease for, of Premises at No. 86 Clinton Street, Borough of Manhattan. The Deputy and Acting Comptroller presented the following report and offered the following resolution: To the Honorable the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund: February 15, 1916. Gentlemen-The Secretary of the Department of Health, in a communication to your Board under date of January 18, 1916, requests a renewal of the lease of the premises occupied by the Department of Health as an Infants' Milk Station, located at 86 Clinton Street, Borough of Manhattan, for a period of one year from April 15, 1916, at the same rental as now paid and upon the same terms and conditions. The Comptroller in a communication to your Board under date of February 25, 1915, recommended this lease for a period of one year from April 15, 1915, at a rental of $400 per annum, the same as now asked, and said report was approved and lease authorized at a meeting of your Board held March 3, 1915. I therefore respectfully recommend, the rent being reasonable and just and the same as previously paid, that the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund adopt a resolution authorizing a renewal of the lease of the south store and two rooms on the first floor, and storage bin in cellar, in the premises 86 Clinton Street, Borough of Manhattan, for use of the Department of Health, for a period of one year from April 15, 1916, with the prvilege of renewal for an additional year on the same terms and conditions, at an annual rental of $400, payable quarterly; the lessor to pay taxes and water rates, the lessee to furnish heat, light and janitor service and make such slight interior alterations and repairs (not to include the removal of partitions) as it may deem necessary during occupancy, otherwise upon the same terms and conditions as contained in the existing lease. Lessor. Samuel Tuchfeld, 3 Avenue B, Manhattan. ALEX. BROUGH, Deputy and Acting Comptroller. Respectfully, Resolved, That the Comptroller be and is hereby authorized and directed to execute a renewal of the lease to the City of the south store and two rooms on the first floor and storage bin in cellar in the premises 86 Clinton Street, Borough of Manhattan, for the use of the Department of Health, for a period of one year from April 15, 1916, with the privilege of renewal for an additional year on the same terms and conditions, at an annual rental of four hundred dollars ($400), payable quarterly; the lessor to pay taxes and water rates; the lessee to furnish heat, light and janitor service and make such slight interior alterations and repairs (not to include the removal of partitions) as it may deem necessary during occupancy, otherwise upon the same terms and conditions as contained in the existing lease; lessor. Samuel Tuchfeld; the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund deeming the said rent fair and reasonable and that it would be for the interests of the City that such lease be made. The report was accepted, and the resolution adopted, all the members present voting in the affirmative. Health Department-Renewal of Lease for, of Premises at No. 306 Avenue A, Borough of Manhattan. The Deputy and Acting Comptroller presented the following report and offered the following resolution: To the Honorable the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund: February 15, 1916. Gentlemen-The Secretary of the Department of Health, in a communication to your Board under date of January 18, 1916, requests a renewal of the lease of the premises occupied by the Department of Health as an Infants' Milk Station at 306 Avenue A, Borough of Manhattan, for a period of one year from April 15, 1916, at the same rental as now paid and upon the same terms and conditions. |