The Portland daily press., 1899-09-15
The Ramapo Water Co
Discussed.
Many Prominent New Workers
On Stand.

New York. September i4.-Today's ses.
zion OF the Maset legislative Investigation
committee was certainly the stormiest
and perhaps the most interesting ever
held. No previous day has witnessed the
appearance on the stand Of such an array
Of prominent men. Mayor Van Wyck,
Richard Croker, Edward Lauterbaoh of
the borough Of Manhattan. Hugh Mo
Laughlin of the borough of Brooklyn, ex-
State Senator Rice Of Rondout, President
butcher of the Ramapo watsr company,
Edward NJ. Grout, president of the bo-
rough of BROOKLYN. ard a number Of 9TH
er officials Of Greater Nav York, partici-
pated in the proceedings.
New York, September 14.-Before the
Mazet investigating committee today
Mayor Van Wyck was the first witntss.
The Mayor said he could not give the
date when the Ramapo company first
made proposals to furnish the city with
water. The agitation for the Necessity
for an increased wstar supply began IA
or is years ago, the Mayor said.
The condition Of the water supply In
Brooklyn had alarmed him at the time
he wrote his first annual message. he
was still alarmed over tbs matter, he
said.
al have never ssen this Rsmapo con-
tract" said the Mayor.
Mr.. Mess repeated extracts from the
Ramapo contract and the Mayor replIel
that he considered from the information
g.. ~
simply an opsion hsld by the city.
MIR. Moss then you consider this
contrast simply an option?"
The Mayor--"Yes and so do you'll your
are q lawyer"
"Do you. as chief magistrate OF the
city. understand that. thess commission
ers-" began Mr.. Moss.
"Dcn't talk so much, but frame ques-
tion," broke in the Mayor
"Wait moment Do you understand
that these commissioners appointed by
you ought not to be advised by you even
when they come to you for advIcer'
"I act on these questions when they
come before me officially.
"These commissioners are not elected
by the peopls?''
"Oh, don't ask such silly question as
that"
"Answer the question as what you
would do should the ipjunction be va
Gated TIE Mayor replied that when the
matter should come properly before him
he would lcok into it thoroughly.
"Upon what WIS this injunction grant.
eds'' he was asked.
81 suppose on allegations of fraud. II
you were a lawyer you would know
that"
"If you icok on the roll of tho Supreme
Court think you'll find out that 1 am
a lawyer
| "The Sutrsme Court-Ah, that's what
Eyour looking for. and l hope to God you
get the nomination and get the psople
after you."
thing TO find out whether this alleged
fraud exist,f"
"I have read all you brought out here
and can see no evidence of fraud. Why
don't you call MIR Coler and Mir. Sberbuf,
the only men who made these charges
and let them show their prooff"
| "Why don't you do it?''
"You're here for that purpose.''
s'It Is for you to do it and not leave 1t
to a COR rmittee from Albany to take
care of the interests of the city,
The Mayor said again that he would
nor act on the Ramapo case until 1t came
before him officially.
"How can 1t come before your" asked
Mr.. Moss.
"I can send for 1t and the commission
ers when want to-
"why don't your"
| "None OF your business"
"Do you know that If these commits
sioners have bean guilty of Incompetence,
not to say fraud"
"Oh, you're talking OF removals and
you have been talking OF legislating me
out. Why don't you go ahead and do 1t
and not be talking such impertinencef
and why don't you receive the list of
stockholders you were offered yesterday.
You talk as though Silas b. butcher,
Levi p. Morton and Gen. Tracy, having
stock In this company, are pack OF
thieves"
Richard Croker followed the Mayor on
the stand. Mr.. Moss asked II Messrs.
Dalton. Holahan and Keatlng Of the
board OF public improvements were dis.
ftriot leaders In Tammany hall. Mr..
| Croker nodded affirmAtiyely He said he