New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-17
FIGHT ON WATER CONTRACT
CONTROLLER SECURES POSTPONEMENT
OF ACTION on RAMAPO PROPOSAL.
COMMISSIONER DALTON URGES IMMEDI-
ATE ACCEPTANCE. AND PROPHEsIEs
SCARCITY OF wATER-LTvEIY TIME
IN IMPROVEMENTS BOARD

The fercest fight that has taken place in the
Board OF Public Improvement since its estab
lishment took place at the meeting yesterday
afternoon. II was over the proposition OF Will
lam Dalton. Commissioner of Water Supply, TO
execute a contract between the city and the
Ramapo Water Company for forty years oy
which the city was 10 pay the company at the
rate OF about 100000 a year for water sup
piled for higher pressure ana supplemental pur
poses in the Borough OF Manhattan. The appl-
cation OF the Ramapo Water Company for a
franchise 10 supply the city with water for a
long term OF years has been before the Board
OF Public Improvement for nineteen months. II
was proposed by Edward Lauterbach, who
represents a large number Of New-YOrk and
Brooklyn men who own the RamapO watershed.
Controller Coler said ne first heard that the
contract would be presented at the meeting 70
be acted upon Tuesday night. and he de-
nounced the actions Of Commissioner Dalton
and President Holahan in trying to force
through the contract without giving notice OF
their plans a. an outrageous imposition the
Finance Department and the people Of New
York. He was backed strongly by Bridge Com
missioner Shea Commissioner Kearny, Deputy
Commissioner Gibson and Presidents Bowley
Of Queens and Cromwell of Richmond. The
partisans of the water company tried 70 force
through the contract but it turned out that the
Board was equally divided, six on each side
and Controller COler eventually accomplished
partial victory by forcing the Board 10 lay the
matter over for fortnight. He promised that
his engineers would in the mean time look up
the question Of the citys necessity for additional
water and the financial ability Of the city to
supply its own necessities.
HOLAHAN FAvORs IT.
After Commissioner Dalton finished reading his
report, President HoIahan made vigorous speech
in favor Of the acceptance Of the proposition at
once He was followed by Bridge Commissioner
Shea. who did not mince his words in opposing
the attempt 70 have the contract tavorably acted
upon. Il want to find out" he said, III this Is
an honest scheme before I vote away contract
with a private company by which the city is 70
spend S5OO0OOO year I want to know that L
is impossible for the city 10 furnish its own
water"
Then Controller Coler arose and said he was
astounded IN learn that this contract was to be
rushed through and that II was fact that his
engineers had not had chance 70 examine the
matter
IT want a month two" exclaimed the Con
trolIer IN vehement manner. 10 examine this
matter"
President Rowley or the Borough ~ Queens
then moved 10 have action on tho contract de-
ferred for four weeks, and this raised the ques-
tlon as 10 the right OF the borough presidents 10
vote on the matter II was finally settled that
the contract referred TO the whole city and thaI
the borough presidents had right TO vote. Pres
ident Holahan arose once more 70 speak in favor
NJ Immediate action He quickly inter
rupted by Controller Coer. who exclaimed
You would not dare let my engineers examine
the matter" A moment later the Controller
iuuped up and said: Il wish 20 let the puonc
understand that this Board, or some members or
II want 10 have this city make contract 'n'l
Will bond It 10 pay 100000 year for forty
Years without giving the financial officer OF the
city a chance 10 look into IT.
COST OF CITY CONSTRUCTION
Chief Engineer Birdsal was later asked what
# would cost the city TO build plant IKE the
one proposed b. the water company ana
whether or not the city could get the land ne
said the city could secure the land. and tnat
nlant similar 10 the one proposed would cost De-
tween S7OOOOOOO and $100O00OOO
President Holahan asked II the city was in
condition TO build such a plant
..Of course. II could be done as the necessity
arises" said Controller Coer There is no need
Sor 1t all at once
Have you got any hgures?' persisted Mr..
Holahan.
You give me a month and will give you all
the figures YOU need" said the Controller.
This is next 10 robbery" said Commissioner
Shea
1t is the most astounding proposition tna'
was ever presented" said Mr.. Coler II was m
tended TO be put through without my knowledge.
I only learned OF II last night It's promoters uiu
not want me 70 learn Of IT,"
As the vote on the acceptance Of the contract
was a tie the proposition was lald over lot
fortni ght.
7,bose who opposed it were Controller Coler.
Commissioners Kearny. Shea and Gibson tact-
ire, and Presidents Bowley and Cromwell, or
Queens and Richmond respectively. Those VINO
favored r. were Commissioners Dalton, Keating
and Donohue (acting): President Holahan and
Presidents Coogan of Manhattan and Hafen OF
The Bronx.
Mr. DALTONs REPORT.
Cor,rriss,oner Dalton's report on the present
condition Of the water supply OF this city ana
his reasons for favoring the acceptance OF the
nronosed contract with the Ramapo Water Com
pany was long one. He said the present con-
ditons Of the water supply Of this city and those
which would probably arise in the near future
imposed on the Board the imperative duy Oh
taking prompt and decisive action to remedy
existing deficiencies.
In regard 10 the Brooklyn water supply ne
said that the Nlll normal capacity Of the puphc
water supply for Brooklyn vas 93Vp'"" gar
Ions a day for a population now estimated con-
servattvelv at 10000; that the normal ca
nacitv had so remained for more than five years
without additions or improvements, while the
demands on the water service have been con-
stantly growing
II the people OF the borough OF Brooklyn are
70 be supplied with water" he said, at the
same rate per capita as the people OF the Dor
oughs Of Manhattan and The Bronx they "ouIo
-. .--a - a.n.. .-.rr.lr OF lnnOnnnln ga.lOns