New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-19
COL. COLES OUTBURST.
HE FORGETs THE DIGNITY OF HIS OF
FICIAL POSITION.
LIVELY SCENE AT THE RAILROAD CON-
MISSIONS HEARING OF COMPLAINTS
AcA1N-cr ND PnGGITER

I
missloners in this city yesterday and gave an ex-
hbltion OF bad language and undgnihed conduct
which was felt by most OF those present 10 DC
positively disgracefu for any State officer 10 IN
dulge in. The Commissioners had met in the Flfth
Avenue Hotel 10 hear complaints against the
methods OF the Manhattan Railway in The Bronx
and against the new transfer system OF the BROOK
Ign Rapid Transit Company, and all the Commits
sioners were on hand Colonel Cole presided.
More than two hundred Brookynltes were
crowded into the parlor. Andrew F. Van Thun' jr.'
and Walter S. Durock. counsel, were there to pre-
sent the grievances OF the compliments. who are
residents Of Corona Greenpoint. Bay Ridge. Fort
Hamilton Dyker Heights Bath Beach, Benson
hurst and Borough Park President Rosster' with
his counsel. Charles A. Colin. appeared for the
Borough Heights Railway Company. OF the BROOK
Ign Rapid Transit system Assistant Corporation
Counsel Luke D. Stapleton attended by direction OF
the Municipal Assembly. but ne did not announce
for what purpose Six separate complaints were
filed one each from citizens committees OF the
section alleging grievances.
THE TROUBLE BEGINS.
Before opening the hearing Colonel Cole took up
a newspaper clipping and read from report OF
meeting held in South Brooklyn. In that report
Senator Coney is said to have referred TO the
Railroad Commissioners owned body and soul
by the railroad companies"
Colonel Cole was evidently indignant i nave
known Senator CoTey for twenty years he said
and never knew him to have a public voice.
Here Harry A. Hamburg, OF the Eighth Ward
INTERRUPTED You have right 10 refer TO Sen
ator Coffey in such words" he cried. i am IN
position to say that Senator Coffey used no such
words Why don't you question him oeiore you
characterize him publicly
Il will suffer reflection" shouted Colone
Cole, rising in his seat. upon myself or my col
leagues care no more for Mr.. Rosster than for
the boy who waits that window; nor do care
for M Vanderbilt or any railway president or
company"
we glad to hear that" retorted Mr.. Han
bury. "as II leads us to suppose that we may e2-
pect fair treatment here"
You will obtain fair treatment here" replied the
chairman.
Il object to your characterization OF Senator Cor
fey said James 7. Farrell, and call upon you 10
withdraw your words Mr.. Cofey Will be mere
within twenty minutes
Il do withdraw them" said Colonel Cole. until
Senator Corey appears. Let the matter continue
"LOAFERr RoARs COLE.
The regular proceedings were then begun and
continued up to a point where ex-senator W. H
Reynolds a large owner OF Borough Park prop
erty volunteered a statement and was sworn, at
the generally expressed desire Of the audience He
began his address with anecdote OF Rufus
Choate and Daniel Webster and was Interrupted
with cries Of Get down to facts: no fakingF
Colonel Cole called for order, declaring that the
hearing was not a town meeting. and Mr.. Reynolds
was allowed TO continue.
He told OF his real estate interests. and said ne
believed the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company was
doing its best for the general interest OF the COM
munity, and asked the crowd not TO be hasty in
believing all It heard He said, for his own part.
he believed It would be advantageous II the com
pany could run It's surface the elevated
structure and over the Bridge without change.
And right uptown in Manhattan" added Colonel
! Cole with a smile
81 object to that statement" shouted Mr.. Han
bury Il object to the partality shown by the
! chairman OF this Commission. You have no right
TO make any such remark"
The room was in an uproar In a moment.
Colonel Cole got red in the face.
You dirty loafer." he roared. rising IN his seat
Il take your remark a compliment said MT
Hamburg. "and I believe that the remarks at
tributed TO Senator Coffey borne out by your
bearing and statement" n- OH
Colonel Cole could hardly speak. his anger was
so great.
You loafer." he gasped. reaching half way
across the table.
ROWDY MEETING.
Commissioner Dunn raped for order. and after
half a dozen men had vainy attempted TO make
themselves heard. succeeded in obtaining silence.
Il was a rowdy meeting all through. No speaker
got IN opportunity to finish all he had to say with
tons to Shut up" and Leave off making stump
speeches."
There appeared TO be no end to the persons who
desired to address the Commission. but at o'clock
Colonel Cole declared the hearing closed for the
day promising TO hear al who had anything TO
say next Saturday II decided by general
agreement to hold the hearing in the Brooklyn
/ Borough Hall next Saturday at 10 a. m. Assistant
! Corporation Counsel Stapleton agreed 10 arrange
with the Commissioner Of Public Buildings for
the loan OF the hall
Senator Coffey had not appeared by the time Of
the adjournment. much to the disappointment OF
part OF the audience, which anticipated some fun
when he met Colonel Cole.
STATEMENT FROM ROssITER.
President Rossiter read long statement, con-
trasting the railroad facilities in the complaining
wards with the railroad facilities in other sections
in the State Of Ike population II stated the read-
ness Of the company 10 do all necessary for the
good Of The community. but insisted upon the right
OF the company operate its lines TO suit itself
so long as the conditions OF the franchises under
which Il operates compiled with. Many OF his
statements received with jeers.
Notices Of complaint against the company were
WHte James P Farrell. Harry A Hamburg Daniel
Movnahan. NJ. S Sloane and John Costello
floor and submitted at great length the complaint OF
residents OF the Eighth Ward OF Brooklyn. He de
9are rom tSose who refnse 70 Climb the stairs 70
the elevated line and insist upon holding their seats
Mr Rosster that the complaints were only from
the Eighth. Thirteth and Thirty-frst wards. and
declared that the Commissioners would be asked TO
hear representatives OF at least S. per cent OF the
total population Of Kings County. one hundred or
more from every ward.
COLE DEFINES HIS POSITION.
George A An was the first witness called. Be
fore he was asked any questions Colonel Cole
ouested that he be informed when Senator CotTey
arrived. "1s have done him an injustice" he
said II wish 10 say II he correctly
ported I wish denounce him and say his
statements are lies" Mr.. An swore that without
paying a second fare there is way for a resident
OF the Thirty-irst Ward to reach any part OF
Brooklyn except that part on the line OF the Fifth
Avenue Elevated Mr. Rossiter interrupted the
witness say that Mr.. Allin's statement in
correct and that with the exception OF the South
~. a..o-. I'D