New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-01
COLER ON CONSOLIDATION
THE CONTROLLER REVIEWS THE FIRST
YEARS FINANCIAL ADMINISTRA-
TON OF THE NEW CITY.

Controller Coler gave out yesterday statement
of his opinion the results OF consolidation. He
said In part
To form an opinion to the failure OF
the plan OF consolidation IT is necessary that
person should understand In some measure the diff
hcultes which have beset the city's financial ad
minstration since January /, 1885 If the sur
mounting of these difficulties constitutes crucia
test then the future OF consolidation Is
assured 1t Is the opinion Of the Controller that
the hrst twelve months have furnished such a
crucial test
- The consolidation of the corporations in the
Greater New-York was the greatest consolidation
ever known In the history OF the world. This Is
an era Of consolidation principally OF mercantile
commercial and financial interests, but municipal
consolidation. such as is exemphed in the greater
New-York. is comparatively new to the citizens OF
TINS country The function OF municipal corpora
tons are necessarily exercised within the limit:
prescribed by legislative acts. and are often re-
not secure the best results for emergent cases.
In marked contrast to the system OF consolidation
problem presented to the Finance Department
when on January J. 1895. nnety-five municipal and
public corporations whose affairs were administered
by separate and distinct boards Of officers. under
various laws necessitating the Keeping Of mnl'
titudinous records, were consolidated with the city
Those intrusted with the administration OF these
separate corporate governments. instead Of employ
ing their time to make consolidation easy, com
for the benefit Of their respective erritores as the
resPonso'y OF greater Ns%dorK gave t ,b
never borrowed more than few thousand dollar:
sold hundreds Of thousands OF dollars worth OF
built pretentious schoolhouses, paved their streets
and entered into long contracts for and electric
lighting, until millions OF dollars In obligations were
incurred by these outlying districts. 1t was mad
scramble in every quarter to get ne much money In
hand and to spend it quickly possible.
1t is the fact that no city. town or village OF al
the nnety-fve which now form the greater city
turned over balance sheet trial balance TO the
Controller. In every case he has been Obliged &c
seek this primary Information as best he could. IT
, scores OF sending his men from farmhouse tc
farmhouse to gather up the records and collate
facts.
Despite these mudiles there feature OF
the administration that was clear. the Controller
says. Contractors left with contracts. which
whether honestly let not. were valid claims
against the city. Mr. Coler says II necessary
to examine these contracts to ascertain their
legality their extent and the balance In each case
due TO the contractor.
While these difficulties existed the Controller
says. there the entire machinery Of the ninety
FIVE corporal tons be looked after. In the matter
of examining old claims he found Of his most
arduous duties IN many cases arose from me iac,
claims. aggregatng thousands OF dollars. without
a word line to their legality or business. The
resulted in the disclosure OF official corruption ano
In many failure to pay them has been due tc
the misuse by former officials Of the funds out Of
which they should have been paid. In BroOklyr
alone these unpaid claims have reached a large
figure"
THE wheels OF the Finance Department have
moved steadily" the Controller says in closing
land so far as the daily affairs OF the city are
concerned no unusual delays have been caused by
the complications thrown upon the hnancial ad'
mnistration Of the annexed territories. Inc De
most difficult adjustments have been made. and
there Is nothing In the present or future prospects
plan. or threatens difficulties OF a financial nature
which cannot be transacted