New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-09-25
"CnNELnENcE" NOT " IT.

Mr. butcher the president OF the Ramapo
Water COMPANY. tcstfes that he does not know
whether that company has any money or where
It's alleged "optons' are, never having him
self had them: that he does not know where
the secretary Of tho company IS or where no
keeps the company's books, stock and transfer
hooks deeds and other documents. and that he
docs not know who IL in charge Of his own
office day by day Yet he wants the city of
New-York to enter into n contract with that
company calling for the payment 10 1t of
5000 100000 Would he personally make two
thousand dollar or n twO-hundred dollar CON
tract with any man who betrayed such igno-
rance OF the business through when the con-
tract was to be fulfilled
Mr. Ingraham counsel for the Ramapo Water
COMPANY. and one Of its stockholders testifies
that he does not know whether the company
owns any property or has any contracts for any
that If II has any options on any he does not
know where they are: that he does not know
whether the company has ever actually sup
nlled any water to anybody. and that he docs
not know who is the treasurer or where the en-
g,naer's office IS Yet he drew the contract
which the city government was asked 10 ap-
prove. involving the payment to the company OF
5000 600 900 Of public money. Would ne enter
into important engagements with man VINO
wos 50 ignorant of the essential details or his
own business;
Mr. Dalton. the Water Commissioner. testihes
that he does not know how the company pro
nosed TO fulfil its contract, how the wafer was
70 he got across the Hudson River. bow or
where the three hundred feet pressure was 10
be given or whether any plans ana spe'lnca-
hons covering these essential points were SUD
mitted with the contract. Yet he wanted me
city 10 make the contract involving payment OF
5000 600 900 Would he make contract Win
man for the building Of dwelling house with
ont knowing more Of the way IN which 1t was 10
be built and OF the mans ability TO build II!
Mr. Holahan the president Of the Board or
! PuhlIc improvements testfes that he does not
know when the company was Incorporated nor
who It's stockholders are, nor who IFS officers
are. nor what capital II has, nor whether II
owns any property. nor whether 1t has any res
eIvations Of land or water or any contracts Tor
any, nor whether It has ever actually done any
business Yet he wants to lam through the
city government a contract binding the city TO
pay to that company s2o0,"oOOOO OF public
money Does Mr. Holahan conduct his private
business affairs on such Il basisF II ne does NJ
must be the "sOftest mark IN town TOT puhco
steerers and peripatetc vendors Of gold bricks
In brief there Is not on record confidence
game" comparable with this Ramapo JOB toT
unblushlng effrontery In asking men 10 take u
on faith in the vague assertions OF interested
parties. II n concern which sedulously conceals
the personality Of It's own membership and con
corning the resources ability and plans OF which
it's own officers know nothing can have bust
ness standing I'm dealings with the municipality
then by all means let the United States Treas