New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-22
Mr.. ROARpMAN EXPLAINS.

All that he had said he declared, was this:
I've indorse fully and unreservedy the posi-
ton which Controller Coler has taken in the
Parnapo scheme. We do not favor any scheme
+or giving out city contracts TO private corpora
tons We believe the city is rich enough and
i-onortant enough to own and control its water
supply II this Ramapo scheme were free OF
Objectionable features We would be opposed TO
Il on principle MI Coler is perfectly right IN
,pposing il. and we believe he will succeed.
This is the view which I understand General
Tracy holds He has connection whatever
with the Ramapo Water Company. though at
one time he was counsel for it, and I'm positive
he has had nothing 10 d. with It for over hve
years. General Tracy is in Paris now on bust
ness"
In answer to a question whether General
Tray was not president OF the Ramapo Water
Company al the time when the new charter OF
Nex-York City was framed by the General and
his associates Of the Charter Commission MI
Boarduan said: ct don't know whether he was
or not II he was he never attended meeting.
They are simply trying to connect the Republi-
can organization with the Ramapo Water Com
bany because Of our relations with Senator
Platt and our Identification with the Ramapo
Water Company as counsel at one time But
tween the Rarapo Water Company and the city
charter. because nobody need make any con-
tract with that company unless they want to-
Edward Lauterbach said yesterday in regard
20 his relation to the Ramapo Water Company:
Since arguing the matter. at the request OF the
COMPANY before the Board Of Municipal I'M
provernents at a public hearing held in June.
1895. have had no connection with the Ramapo
Water COMPANY"
Silas B. butcher. president Of the Ramapo
Water Company. when seen last night by
Tribune reporter N his home, at No. 496 Third
st BROOKLYN. said that he was prepar1n re-
mort Of the facilities Of the Ranapo Water Com
pany and the proposed contract between It and
-bA CITY. which is now the subject Of so much
controversy.
Mr.. butcher said: The report will be very
complete. and I shall submit II 10 Controller
Coler as soon as possible. I believe that 1t VIII
be a full and satisfactory answer TO the strict
,,res that have been passed upon the company IN
the newspapers and certain other quarters
What have you to say. Mr.. butcher in ref
erence to the charge that you and General Tracy
Manipulated the charter TO the advantage OF
your water company" was asked.
There is absolutely no truth In that charge
renBed Mr. butcher Neither General Tracy
NJ that part Of the charter. I believe that
Thomas P. Gilroy. who was better acquainted
with the provisions Of the charter than the most
~ The other members Of the Commission, had
something 10 do with the provision in question.
Wi,Iann C De Witt also well acquainted
win the provisions Of that clause. In 1888
,-ben Grover Cleveland was Governor Of this
state. the Legislature granted TO the Sinking
Fund Commission power TO make contracts for
sufficient water supply. Nothing was done until
June. 1898 when a public hearing was held on
tho subject That followed petition to our
cornpany from the underwriters and business
men OF New-YOrk who believed, with the Fire
Department. that the city should have an ade-
quate water supply for general use ana as
rrotection Of property. General Tracy had not
haAr rres;dent Of the Ramapo Water Company
for three or four years preceding the enactment
II The Greater NeW-YOrk charter. The autnor-
ttv originally given TO the Sinking Fund Com
mission was invested in the Board of Public I'M
urovements by the charter. and think that this
fact broadens rather than narTows the con-
tracing or appointing power
Mr. butcher was asked if II was the intention
If his company TO tap the Ramapo River. He
said that such a course was unnecessary, and
that the entire supply Of water w9ald be drawn
N-Ae@N
Of the purest quality.
Mr. GOLFERS INQUIRY
The engineers Of the Finance Department
have started 70 make an investigation OF the
Ranapo watershed, and their examination VIII
be pushed with the utmost vigor. 80 that re-
norT can be ready in week II Is the OPINION
81 Controller Coler that the scheme TO saddle
the water contract ON the city is now as good as
dead IN view Of the general puohc condenhs-
ton OF IL but ne u determined 10 squScn IL Tor
al time. -. 49,, ,,..,,.
Yesterday should have much power 10 &C
ouire land for watershed purposes as mas the
Ranapo company, and If possible. more AhC
The fact must not be forgotten that We are ~
,bis Tgbt 10 see tina. the city gets Just such
rights Until the city OF New-HoTk can 60 lnts
AN nart OF the State and acquire land that is
deemed necessary for watershed purposes Il'
work we have set out 10 DO Will not be accom-
Where viii YOU get those rights?" he was
asked. .s .-r,. o,.,
viii 60 there and demand them. 1t strikes M
as obvious that II the Ranapo compan nv Is -
ttled 10 the rights II no" eh9oys "iICh a.
far greater than those enjoyed by. the CItS, IHel
me city Il entitled TO the same rights MY IN
glneers will have enough data oy August S'
10 dispose Of The proposed contract II VIII an
about six months for the ehginesis y,ete- lnn
On the entire question OF the city water su ~.
DIV. II Is not necessary 10 settle the quesuoI
for all time 10 come in Two weeks ouch sus
gestion IS beyond reason, and yet there "et'
members OF the Board or PnoAc mp ~ A.
No 90 tbat the examination could be mad'
in two DAYS There are many points TO be ex
arnfned-,he subject Of waste ana leaKsee
which is perhaps largely RESPONSIVE Tor tne q,
crease from IS 10 100 gallons per capita II
daily consumption" 80.
Nj Coler to-day received the following lette
from the former Commissioner OF city "oFks Il
Brooklyn, who is in the AdironoacKs'
Dear NJ Coler: ! see that an effort IL benz
made 10 rush the civ into contract WIN m
. RaYnapo Water Company and am pleased 10 50
that you and some other officials are Vigorously ot
posing the iuiqultous scheme. Isend you here"lt
Cslsss1sIsIsNs}e)e(ss(s