New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-20

They are now thinking over Mr.. Platts denial
Tracy may follow with a denial that he or his
partners one Of whom is Mr. Plstt's son. have
retained any interest in the company which last
week nearly secured S2o0000000 contract
that would hay made Tweeds bones CULVER In
their grave with envy.
TANIMANY BEHIND IT.
But. however public opinion may he divided
on the question Of Mr.. Platts connection with
the scheme there seems 10 he no doubt at all
that Tammany is in It right UP to the neck.
The underhand manner in which the proposed
contract was introduced into last Wednesdays
meeting Of the Board Of Public Improvements,
IS ample indication that its hackers were aware
OF the dsreputable nature Of their enterprise,
and the Controllers demand for sufficient time
for proper investigation was opposed by men
whose names ana reputation leave no room for
surprise at their willingness 70 mulct the city.
But in addition to this their audacity in reach
ing for so vast a steal seemed TO indicate that
they had probably received orders, either direct
or indirect from the one man who has them all
under mis- thumb
These are the men who voted against giving
Controller Coler time to investigate the alleged
need Of the city 10 buy water from the Ramapo
Company. Maurice F. Holahan president Of the
Board Of Public improvements. J. p. Heating,
Commissioner Of Highways; James J. Coogan.
president Of the Borough of Manhattan; /. F.
Hafen president Of the Borough Of The Bronx;
NJ F Donahue. Deputy Commissioner of Sewers.
in the absence Of Commissioner Kane, and ".
Dalton COMMISSIONS OF Water Supply. Those
who voted for reasonable DELAY were Con-
t cIler Coler, J. L. Shea Commissioner Of
Bridges F NJ. Gibson. Deputy COMMISSIONS
Of Street Cleaning in the absence Of Commits
soner James Mccartney; Henry S Kearny,
Commissioner OF the Department Of Public
Buildings: Frederick Bowley president OF the
Borough Of Queens and George Cromwell. presi-
dent Of the Borough Of Richmond. Thus only
hv a tie vote Of 70 the purses ~ the tax
PAYERS were saved from the tremendous robbery.
VIGILANT CONTROLLER.
Fortunately. the city is possessed Of a Con-
troIIer who had the honesty and the courage 70
block the huge contemplated job. The conten-
ton raised by those Tammany Commissioners
who wanted 70 push the contract through, that
II is not necessary for a majority vote Of the
Board OF Public Improvements 10 include the
vote Of the Controller or the Mayor. is consd-
cred absurd the learned Whalen TO the contrary
Notwithstanding. Mr.. Coer has been advised on
excellent legal authority that If the Board Of
Public improvements wishes to award
Il
award can he made only upon the affirmative
vote both Of the Mayor and the Controller. Mr..
Coler also is confident that early this week he
will be able TO announce that thorough expert
investigation Of the water supply conditions ~
New-York is under way This investigation II
Is said will be the most complete ever made Of
that subject and will il is expected show be-
vond a reasonable doubt that this city possesses
in the Croton the Ten Mile River The Bronx
and Long Island water systems. ample resources
for its needs for many years to come.
So vigorous has been the public's protest
against the nefarious JOB that the men behind
II show signs OF weakening Holahan who
osteusibly is the chief pusher in the clique. was
quoted as saying on Friday that II Mr. Coler
could show there was really no pressing need
OF the Ramapo company's water ne would be
willing 10 defer making the contract until there
was Then. fearing that this might seem too
sudden an abandonment OF MS position. he
FASTENED 10 add that he did not think the Con-
trolier could make out such a case. Mr. Hola-