New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-07
mTY'S DEBT LIMIT AGAIN.
SOME LIVELY CORRESPONDENTS BE-
TWEEN MESSRS. WHALEN AND COLER.
.,.rN APPARENTLY FELT AT THE RESULT OF
TIE TANMANY PLAN TO STOP ALI.
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS


PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS
Correspondence between Corporation Counsel
uhalen and Controller Coler yesterday on the sub
w., ~ the clty's debt limit Indicated that they
"a become alarmed at the result OF the Tammany
Sian 20 stop all public improvements and invalidate
sortracts for which bond issues authorized
=, MAYOR Stronss administration. Widespread in
A.rnation has been expressed by New-Yorkers on
.ccount OF the stopping Of public works the throw
,rr OF many thousands Of workinsmen out OF en-
r,ovnent md the refusal 20 go ahead with the
cro-k O. building new schools. which are needed 10
rrovide free education for many thousands Of
.Audren in the city. Contractors who have just
.,a,ms against the city for work already performed
nave been demanding their pay. and have been
,old 10 bring suits 10 test the validity of the Cor
norat!on Counsels opinion that contract indebted
,ess counted the same bonded Indebtedness in
determining the city's debt limit Intelligent cit
teens have declared their belief that 1t was part
Of the Tammany plan 10 invada:e the contracts
for public Improvements. on the pretence tnai no
,onds for public works could be issued legally after
ere ci;y's debt limit Was passed and later let
Contracts 10 Tan.nany favortcs.
John Whalen the Corporation Counsel who has
,sken a prominent part in the effort 10 show that
the former city OF New-York passed lis debt lint,
before the issues Of bonds for many public improve
,nents authorized sent a letter 10 the Con
,-ole, yesterday morning. demanding accurate
esur.s" Of the citys Indebtedness. and not esti-
mats" intmating that the Controllers recent
,s,.er TO the Mayor the city's financial con-
ALTON did not contain much fact as fancy. MI
Vhalen's letter was understood by many politicians
"a mean that he wanted TO put the entire RESPONSE
Nifty for the stopping OF public Improvements upon
Mr. Coer. He wanted 70 know right away jnst
when the citys debt limit passed. In order that
he might be prepared to argue the case before the
courts when the contractors tried 10 upset ms
opinion
Nj Coler replied In the afternoon that ne was
rrprsNd at the Corporation Counsel's request. be
cause the figures In the report to the Mayor
were furnished mainly by the Corporation Coun-
eevs Office He proceeded 10 say that the infoTma-
t,o, which the Corporation, Counsel In such
hurry 20 set could be found chiefly In the books
OF the Law Department, not IN the FINANCE pe-
partmen.. Controller Coler apparently was hot
willing 20 permit Mr.. Whalen TO shirk any resp nsi-
billy Mr. Co,er known TO have become tlFcd
Of bearing a burden which he thinks was pn'
upon him through the opinion OF his official iesa'
adviser lie desires 10 he just 10 the wcrkinSmeh
who have been working for the city. ana NOES th"t
they should receive their pay His letter Yesterday
was an indication that he could not be used further
n he could help K; 10 promote schemes OF Richard
Croker or other Tammany politicians at the eX-
pense Of the public.
MR. WHALEN'S LETTER
Following is the letter which Mr.. Whalen yes
terday sent TO the Controller:
May c. 1885,
Hon Bird 5. Cole7. Controller .,.-. .r,,,,, na,.o
Sir: In connection with the questions hich nave
FORMER city Of NeW-Y as We'll as that OF the
present city there is ono matte 10 WGn O 80
which request Immediate action. ,....
eli rs s Of the administration srain eyery
effort have the courts PASS upon me VIA qqe
limit before the summer vacation. &C.,, ,
TO do this there is not a moment to lose, because
tractors whom requested institute imm~diato
proceedings in order that the questions might be
It is probable, however. that within day or two
proceedings will be eommeneea wmch VIII w., ~
The questions involved. and 10 make proper r.
turn In such proceedings. must have facts waich
amounts OF the various classes OF indebtedness re-
1errsd 70 hs si pam nsSad eHafi the by
Tor lands acquired and the amount OF the Judg-
In Other words. I must have the accurate figures
OF these liabilities and not estimates -,
However onerous this work may be- must ask
you therefore. TO furnish me with the Information
In question. ,,-, 49,, "a H..
Of New-York exceeded its debt limit. assuming that
the cost Of opening and widening street charg s
is part Of the debt 10 be counted 10 ascertain
'f vii also be necessary to know at what point
Of time the city reached its debt limit excluding
w While am fully impressed with the gravity OF
the situation. as shown By your letter TO tne
Mayor and am more than Wiling to eNPedii,e al.
Of the Appellate Courts yet cannot DO this satis;
tactorily or IN way wh1h VIII Ig qs1 z,,r as
which l ask for above
will close by most earnestly impressing npon
me the informa lion. In order that we may II pos
sible have the ina passed upon BY the Appellate
DIVISION and by the Court Of Appeals. which latter
court, as you know adjourns for The summer
Please give this matter your immediate attention
and oblige. yours. JOHN WHALEN.
Cooperation counsel