New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-10
WANTS LIGHT on RAU1PO DEAL
THE MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION BALkED IN
ITS EFFORTS, DETERMINED TO GET
AT THE FACTS

William F. King the president Of the Merchanu
Association has just returned from washington
where he the counsel OF the association ana ths
members OF the Office staff have been attending the
argument before the Supreme Court on the question
OF the war tax stamp on express receipts
His attention was last evening called TO the action
~ the Board OF improvements on the Ramapo case
ard he expressed himself as follows Inls matter
was placed in the hands OF Messrs DE Berard
Corwir.e and Mead of the association once stan
BY them letter prepared ana sent 70 CON-
missioner Dalton on October u asking Tor copy
OF the report and recommendations An answer
was received stating that the same we're IN the
bands of the Board OF Public Improvement
letter was then addressed to Mr.. Mooney, asking
for opes OF said papers, the engineers 'epolt@
contracts. etc. This letter was not answered
"On October % second letter was written 10
Mr. Mooney calling his attention 10 the previous
communication which was dated the lItn Mr.
Moorev handed this letter TO Mr.. Holahan. vho
stated that all routine work had been stopped BY
tho demands OF the Mazet Committee, but that az
soon as possible requests would De granted
The papers have not been received as yet.
ION November Messrs. De Berard. Corwine and
Mead in behalf OF the association had an interview
with Mr. Holahan. The Commissioners appeared
more than fair He stated that New-York needed
an increased water supply; that he did not care
where 1t came from. as long as We got IT. that ne
had not been fairly placed before the pubic and
wanted 10 be placed right: tnat ne DeHcNeu osr
work was honest and that anything We wanted 10
reason would be granted The same DAY letter
was addressed to the Commissioner containing our
requests, and was answered ny nm 10 tne e enc;
that the matter would come up before the Board
OF Improvement on the sth and that he mad no
doubt our requests would be granted
This association does not kno" commissioner
Dalton nor does IL know any one else connected
with the case but 8 does know that II has men,
bership OF over twelve hundred firms and corpora
lions doing business in the city OF New-fork. and
giving employment to thousands Of people. /,
knows that It's members are taxpayers ana real
estate owners: that they interested in the cys
welfare in it's prosperity and in the prosperity OF It's
wage earners. 1t also knows that high taxes mean
low wages and poor living: that low taxes mean
high wages and good living. 1t knows that New
York does not produce one pound or raw material:
that everything which enters into MANUFACTURED
goods has to be brought here: that there e the
severest kind OF competition between the different
Increase taxes and thus increase the cost OF doing
business is 10 reduce profits. and by reduction OF
profits to reduce wages Profits to-day are so small
that their slightest decrease Will compel reduc-
ton in wages.
counsel James B. Dill, the matter will be placed
before him and before associate counsel already
engaged. The matter Will be fought 10 a. finish.
II we find the thing is all right. we WIN 20 10
apo company revoked. Our membership Is not
merely local. but extends throughout the state.
II the Ramapo proposition is fair one and viii
stand the light OF day. II II Is one which can ts
proven 10 be to the interest OF our city, We VIII
uphold IL In every way. shape and manner. Light
upon the question is what We want and what We
are determined to have"