The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-31

began by saying that he supposed all til,
eminent attorneys and engineers who hat
appeared had been lbcray paid
81 beg to say that 10 fees have been paid e
us. interrupted Mr.. Fulton.
''Oh. didn't think that You got fee." salt
Blr Holahan.
In explaining his advocacy OF the contract
Mr.. Holahan said That the cost Of iron and stcc
had doubled in four wears, and the laws OF 1893
increased the sum that the city must pay to all
its iaborcrs.
DO you mean to say that Tammany Hall
wants to stand for private ownership OF the
city water plant because 1t doesn't want work =
men TO get what the State says they shall2"
asked Mr., Coler
Il never said nnythng.of the kind" said Mr..
Holahnn.
Yes you did," said the Comptroller
MIR. Coler you've had your way two weeks 4"
returned President Hoahnn. You've mnnipu-
lated the press now I'll have mine. Municipal
ownership? l favored it before some men here
were In politics."
We'll conie back to II now. " said the Comp
troer Mr. Holahan said that all the enemies
OF Tammany Hall had united to attack 1t on the
Ramapo matter.
Now I'll read from what the Comptroller
said last year about our finances" said he.
Il want to state that the report you are going
TO read was made under an opinion OF the Cor
poration Counsel with which ! never agreed"
interrupted Mr.. Color. The report was read.
Then Mr.. Hoahan. whose face was very red
and covered with perspraton. asked him how
the city would do anything for Rapid Transit
II II built additional water systems
We'll give you money for that" said the
Comptroller.
''Why don t you say that2" ask cd Mr.. Holahan.
Now you remember what l tell you" said
Mr.. Coler. Il am the only member Of this ad-
minstraton who has tried to do anything for
rapid transit. Don't forget that"
But to return to water" said Mr.. Holahan.
Eve cant go to Suffolk County on account Of
the law"
THAT law Is unconstitutional put In the
Comptroller.
II haven't heard that you were to decide it,"
snapped Mr.. Holahan.
who passed it," asked Sir. Coler.
Il suppose did," said Mr.. Hoahan. I'm
responsible for everything now"
We'll. your friends. the Kamapo people. did
1t. so it's al right" said Mr. Coler.
Il don't know n person in rhe company"
gasped Mr.. Holahan. Not one; not a soul"
Therefore. you had the contract changed
from twenty to forty years." inquired Mr..
Il don't know one person in ii" repeated the
President. What would happen il you had n
conhagration In Brooklyn tonight? The town
would burn down"
Mr. butcher would say that, too" came
mildly from the Comptroller
Now that's too much" sputtered Mr.
Holahan. Il can stand a joke. but don't you
get too gay"
Mr. Holahan said he was surprised that tho
eminent lawyers. Rufus Peckham and Simon
Sterne." didn't mention section AT OF the
Aha rfa ha amid hat hnl In,
Brooklyn had to lug water in pals to the upper
floors. MIR. Shea said they didn't: he said he
lived there and knew.
"Oh. I'll bet you get water as high as you
want it," said Mr.. Holahan. II suppose the
Comptroller will get four columns in the papers
and l will get fonr lines"
Then Mr. Holahan made a defence Of his
personal honor, which he said was all that he |
had to show for thirty years in public life. Mr.. |
Holahan spoke with so much feeling that Mr.. |
Barton was moved to tears. As soon as the |
President took his seat Mr.. Shea said that
there was no question Of his honesty In the |
matter. but that the proposition was dishon-
est one
Mr.. Holahan has referred to Tammany |
Hail." said Mr.. Shea. let me say that am |
IN honest man first and then " Democrat"
Then Mr.. Shea introduced this resolution. |
which was seconded by Mr. Ooler:
Whereas. Section 472 of the Greater New
York charter confers authority upon the Com
Of Water Supply with the approval
Of the Board OF Public improvements to select
and to determine all sources OF water supply
throughout the State that may DO needed for
me supply and distribution OF water in the
City OF New York AMI
Whereas. Said section further provides for
the acquisition by condemnation of any real |
estate or interest therein that may DO neccs-
sary in order to acquire the sole exclusive
property in such source or sources OF water
supply and to extinguish the water rights of
any person or corporation therein. and
Whereas. The expressed principles OF the /
present administration when seeking tho suf- |
frage of the people of this city were that the ,
should own and control all public |
utilities therein.
ResOlred, That 1t is not in the public interest |
nor for the public veal. neither is it necessary |
that the city should contract with n private |
corporation for its supply ofwater: that upon |
the eX piraton Of the term Of the existing con- |
tracts for such purpose proceedings shall be |
taken to acquire the rights OF the persons or /
corporations holding or owning any such
rights to the end that tho municipality shall
own its water system exclusively.
Mr.. Coler and Mr.. Shea smiled sweetly and
said the resolution was only a declaration OF
the principle on which tho city adm inistration
was elected. Mr.. Holahan moved that 1t be
laid over. The motion was lost. The resolu-
ton was adopted by this vote:
Aye-The Comptroller. Acting Street Clean
ing Commissioner Gibson. Bridge Commits
sIoner Shea. Sewer Commissioner Kane and
Highway Commissioner Heating.
Nonresident Holahan and Water Com
m missioner Dalton.
The Borough Presidents wanted to vote but
were not allowed to. MIR. Holahan and Mr.
Dalton looked very glum. Mr.. Coler and Mr..
Shea smiled innocently. They believe that the
Ramapo Job Ia killed
President Holahan was at the Democratic
Club last night. He said that the adoption OF
Mr.. shea's resolution by the Board of Public
improvements did not kill the plan for contract
with the Ranapo Water Company. and that he
would continue TO urge it. Mr. Hoahan said
that he was Us ardent in his advocacy OF mu-
nicpal ownership us twas possible for man
TO be. but he believed that extensive additions
TO the water supply were needed at once, and
that the city was not in financial condition
10 mr. IN