The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-21
CITY HAS WATER A-PLENTY
COILS SAYS THERE'S NO SUCH
SUPPLY ON THIS PLANET

for Time, Being still Unable to Get tho
Books-Returns to Dock Board Contracts.
During half the Mazet Com mittees hearing
Yesterday the Ramapo contract was under con-
sideration. Then 1t was dropped with sud-
denness suggesting that for the present the
committees counsel finds himself against a
blank wall thrown in his way by those most
deeply interested in Ramapo affairs. In the
afternoon the committee started In upon con-
alteration OF the Dock Boards dealings iu
asphalt and other things on emergency
orders"
II. c. NJ. InRraham. general counsel for the
Hamapo Company. was the first witness
called. and he testified that his connection
with the corporation dated from 1897 when.
at the request Of Charles A. Lamont made on
suggestion OF Edward Lauterbach. he became
counsel for the company.
Did you draw the contract that was pre-
ssnted to tho Board OF Public Improvements2"
asked Mr.. Moss.
Not the original contract" replied the wit
ness. That was drawn by Mr.. Lauterbach
before knew anything about it. Inever saw
it until April last. when l was asked to ex-
anime It. thought there should be some
changes. and drew 1t again. 1 presented 1t to
the directors. by whom 1t was approved Two
contracts were submitted to the Corporation
Counsel. one from me. He amended both OF
theu-or rather rewrote them"
o. One was drawn by Mr.. I.auterhach and
ono bv your A. Yes.
o. Did you consult with Mr.. Lauterbach over
his talks with Mr.. Holahan as to tho nature OF
the contract? A. No.
q. Is 1t not strange that he as special coun-
sci. should take any such important step with
out consulting your A. That's not a proper
question.
O. What part did you play In the arousing OF
favorable public sentiment for the Ramapo
Bill. concerning which Mr.. Lauterbach has
testified? A. have not done any such thing.
O. Is the company still endeavoring to Sc
cure contract with the city and taking steps
to that end? A. Mr. Lauterbach can tell you
what steps are being taken.
Q. But you are proceeding az live company
A. Oh. yes; We are meeting questions az they
como up.
HOW wHALEN ALTERED THE CONTRACTS.
O. Was Mr.. Lauterbach's contract approved
as we'll as yours? A. 1t was his contract that
was presented to the Board of Public I'm prove
ments and changed by Mr.. Whalen. In sew.
eral minor points the contract differs from
mine. and there are four important differences
between the contract as amended by Mr..
Whalen and my draft OF the contract. In the
first place. by my contract the time for the fur
nishing OF the water was 1904 instead OF 1902.
don't believe we could get our plant In work.
Ing order before 1904. The Whaen contract
says that the company shall furnish 100000
900 gallons day leaving 1t to the city to take
what 1t desires. My contract makes 1t obliRa-
tory for the city to take and pay for the 200.-
1000 gallons day. The third point is Mr..
Whalen's demand that the water be more pure
than that furnished now. the question to be
decided by the Health Board alone. My con-
tract provides for an open test and fair OK
animation OF the water. Last. we differed in
the specified rate to be paid for labor.
At the conclusion OF his testimony Mr.. Ingra-
ham said he would like to make a statement
and started In about pressure. To this Mr..
Mazet and Mr.. Moss objected. but not until
their objections were repeatedly expressed
would the witness stop.
WITNESS LIKENs Mr.. MOSS TO AN ASSASSIN.
The proper person to give that testimony"
said Mr.. Mazet. rs the company's engineer. II
you'll produce him here
Il haven't him in my pocket" said the wit
nss. Il cant produce rec him. hSan, .
M Moss. and yet when we try to get your
ofGal. here they keep Son {,
resorted the witness. that was subjsctinE
them to an assassin"
ject however, TO you testifying about pressure
asyou aren't hydraulic engineer"
We don't want to hear your statement"
The witness. who had remained quite cool
stand explaining that he had intended no dis
to hH the Who
lieved the position of the company was being
n Otis IL Cutler. Chairman OF the Assembly
Committee on Internal Affairs testified briefly
about the Ramapo Bill which. in 1895. came
e9 ext the poWer Of the eonpsny 10 ' sSs
best Of Mr. Cutters recollection Mr.. Lauter-
bach had suggested the amendments There
RAMAPo COMPANY TURNED DOWN BY COILS.
Gen. @. H. T. Coils. Comm ssioner OF Public
Works IN Mayor stronE's administration:: took
s ssEesdSM Fl Soss you In is'0'
Q. By what company? A. The Ramapo Com
O. What arguments were advanced A. That
in a few years the city would be In great want
city was amply supplied. and declined to con-
but 1t was not Mr.. Lauterbach.
q. What did you understand the Ramapo
the for
offer was a perfectly honorable one. though
startling in its presentation OF the city's wants
NEW YoRK's WATER SUPPLY ABUNDANT.
Mr.. Coils explained that his investigation
showed $50 days supply for the city on hand.
Q. Is there ANYTHING like this supply In any
other. eity' A. Nothing else like It on this
Q. Is there much waste here2 A. think we
leakage and by carelessnesss on the part Of the
whore there ought to be 5000. AS matter OF
fact despite the prejudice against water
meters. they cheaper the water to the con-
sumner.
COILS ASKED ABOUT ASPHALT CONTRACTS.
.. General. while you're here want to ask
you about asphalt. A former witness, Mr..
Rokeby. told us that during your administra-
ton a practical monopoly Of asphalt work was
held by one company. Did you find the spec-
hcations for asphalt were limited2 A. Yes; the
specifications limited us to the product OF a
lake in Trinidad owned by the Barber Asphalt
Company.
.. Was there much dissatisfaction ? A. Very
much. We changed the Specifications so that
# read requaI 10 quality to that Of Pitch
.. Mr.. Rokeby complained that, you would
accept NO company which could not show
Gayements which had stood for two years
Why was that? A. Our experience with
Eighth avenue. whore an inexperienced COM
pany laid bad pavement. caused US to decide
g MIR; Rokeby claimed that he offered to
%, After his testimony here. / went myself
| 9DOka 70 him In anita OF thA fact that he tAS-