New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-27
COLER TO ANSWER BUTCHER
CONTROLLER WILL ATTACK THE RAM
,. APO PRESIDENTS PLEA
THE LATTER sHUFFLES WHEN ASKED
PETITIONS-REFORM ORGANIZATIONS

PETITIONS-REFORM ORGANIZATIONS
TO TAKE ACTION ON THE JOB
The Controller spent few hours in his office
yesterday directing operations against the
Ramapo scheme. He said he had read the let
ter OF silas b. butcher, president Of the Ramapo
Water Company and he did not think 1t amount
ed to much He would make formal reply to
the letter, he said. and would make the reply
public at later day.
MIR butchers letter. Mr.. Coler said. 'Is one
that may be called foxy and misleading. His
arguments to the water pressure needed for
fire extinguishing purposes have been completely
demolished by such competent authorities as F.
c. Moore, president OF the Continental Fire In
surance Company Mr.. Hare, whose name is
signed to the now famous, or rather, Infamous
petition OF the Fire Underwriters to the Board
OF Public improvements. by which Mr.. butcher
sets so much store, is out against them
Il see that Mr.. butcher says the character Of
the men behind the Ramapo scheme is suf
ficient guarantee of the financial responsibility
of the water company. II few tramps could
get contract with the city OF New-York such
as the Ramapo Water Company wanted to get.
they could secure all the financial backing they
needed. The denial OF complete financial state
ment OF the water company that wants to make
be regarded as fair treatment for the Finance
Department or the people of the city. The bond
Of 100000 which the company would have to
give upon receiving the contract. Mr.. butcher
says, would be an additional guarantee. bond
OF 100000 would be rdculousy small for
company undertaking TO supply water for which
II would receive about S50O0000 year from
the city for forty years. Such bond would be
totally inadequate to protect the city's interests.
Mr. butcher says that New-York City has
been taking water from Yonkers for years. and
he understands that there are eleven private
companies selling water to the city. The city
has had two contracts with private water COM
panies the Westchester Water Company and
small company in Yonkers. Mr.. butcher
lays stress on this Yonkers company's contract,
the history Of which has been one Of outrageous
fraud. The first controversy the Controller had
with the Corporation Counsel was over the con-
fesson OF judgment In favor of the Yonkers
company against the Controllers protest The
experience of the city with the Yonkers COM
pany is an argument against contracts with any
private company"
Mr.. BUTCHER WON'T TELL.
Mr.. butcher asked yesterday IL he meant
in his letter to. the Controller that the 5000
business men OF the city who had signed the
water companys petitions were stockholders
He wrote: The names signed to the petitions
presented to the Board OF Public improvements
asking that the contract be made should AFFORD
a sufficient guarantee that ell the capital neces-
sary for the work will be provided"
.Of course the sgners of the petitions are not
stockholders In the company" Mr.. butcher said,
but their interest in the project shows that suf-
ficient money will be provided"
You infer, then. that the signers OF the petit
ton will become stockholders"
Il infer that"
THAT is not the same thing as a guarantee, Is
it?"
We'll, it's an inference"
"Who are some OF the stockholders"
'I haven't got list OF stockholders here"
won't you mention some Of the more promi-
nent?"
Because the whole town asks the question"
81 won't tell
why not?"
Il don't see why / should"
Controller Coler has decided to ask for an in'
junction to prevent the water company's con-
tract being forced upon the city by the Board
OF Public improvements. He probably Will ap-
pIy to the Supreme Court for an order on Tues
which THE World" secured order from JUS
tce Bookstaver. The argument on the Con-
troller's application probably will be made by
ex-Judge John F. Dillon and Delos McCurdy
who have been associated as counsel for the
Controller The argument on the order oD-
tained by "The World" will come up on Friday
II is expected that decision on the orders VIII NOT
me given before the Mazet Committee meets on
,iQ a.
t,on OF the Ramapo Job. When evidence is
given to the Mazet Committee 1t Is expected
that some of the Ramapo schemers VIII be
running to cover and the attempted steal VIII
be abandoned
The suit begun by "The Journal" to have the
charter Of the Ramapo Water Company revoked
will be heard by Attorney Generai Dawes III
Albany on Wednesday Edward Lauterbach, OF
the water companys counsel, went TO Albany
on Friday He failed to find Mr.. Davies, but
had q talk with Louis F. Payn the state Su-
nerintendent OF Insurance. Mr. Lauterbach was
sought in his law office by Tribune reporter
yesterday. but the reporter was informed tnat
Mr. Iauterbach had gone out OF the city 10
stay over Sunday.
Al the meeting Of the Executive Committee
Of the Citizens Union organization in the XlAth
Assembly District on THURSDAY the loio"i"e
resolution was adopted:
Resolved That the Executive COMMITTEE nt or fhe da
Citizens Union Of the XIth Assembly Dstrlct 9e-
clares that the city OF New-York should not ae oe
part from It's principle Of the man'teat bs core Of
the Controller and other city officials n oPp@s,ns n
nan ond that this committee calls upon the Boar
~ Public Improvements not to enter into such
contracts.
A special meeting Of the Good Government
Club OF the XIXth Assembly District Is csileu
for Thursday, August 81, at $40 D. H'' at 'he
Sherman Square Hotel, seventy-hrst-s'' anu 'ne
Boulevard to take such action as may SEN
wise in reference TO the Ramapo p'o',
thought that this matter Is OF such puoiic iin,
portance that every member OF 'he ciuo W., -,
try to attend. and the Following resoiu'io" ""'