New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-16
THE CONTROLLERS POWERS.
MIR. CoLER SPEAKS IN FAVOR OF THE FAIL
LOWS BILLS

Albany. Feb. Is (speciaD.-Two bills introduced by
Assemblyman Fa,lows comforting added powers on
the Controller of the City Of New-YOrk came up for
a hearing to-day before the Assembly Committee on
Cities. The measures were defended not only by
Mr.. Fallows. the introducer OF the bills and Fred
erck r. Kellogg of New-York but also by the
Controller himself
Mr.. Coer first spoke Of the bill which provides
that the approval Of the Controller is necessary BE-
fore the Corporation Counsel can confess Judgment
against the city. Another provision Of this meas
ure Is that in case of any claim for a money judg
ment exceeding $1,000 the previous written consent
Of the Mayor shall also be necessary He said:
At the present time the city Of New-York Is
without a Controller. That officer now has no cog
nizance over judgments against TIE city confessed
by the Corporation Counsel until De is asked to pay
Not long ago a woman fe-l down the sidewalk
and sued the city for S0God TIE Corporation Coun-
matter pertaining to the finances Of the city. the
DTasanted 10 hin "T }o , ~ Trs r rlsiyos
fled in my Department to-day aggregating millions
f ha%e bsd no Soce to the OF "h
Now. when It comes TO buying bottle OF ink.
such an expenditure requires the signatures or the
Mayor the Corporation Counsel and the Controller.
ing to several tRdRnsans o of dollars {h aacia Of
ncer of the city is not consulted
In speaking of the second BILL which provides
that the approval Of the Controller be made neces
sary before the city enter into any contract for
supplies and the like. Mr.. Coler said:
think that this bill recommends itself to every
one who has seen some of the exray aCant expeud-
lures with which the city of New-YCrk has again
and again been burdened The sole purpose OF this
bill, therefore, Is to provide that the city pay
more for Its supplies than the market price
Mr.. Kellogg summed up the arguments advanced
in favor of the two bills oy saying:
The object sought for Is put the financial az
fairs of the city into the hands OF It's financial
officer and the legal affairs IN charge of It's chief
legal authority Accordingly. the Controller has
his hand the throttle of the citys expenditures
and knows at what speed they COINS BY the
building OF the rapid transit tunnel the citys debt
limit will be almost reached 1t is therefore vitality
important that some one be on the lookout. lest
things too far.
Senator Dreamer. who was present at the hearing.
took some exception 20 some Of the remarks OF the
Controller. He said he regretted that the dissen-
sions Of two high municipal authorities OF New
York like the Corporation Counsel and the Con-
troller should thus be brought to Albany and aired
before the whole State. He also limited that 1t was
the opinion of a great number of people that the
Controller had much power at the present time.
Further controversy. however, was stopped by As
semblyman MCkeown. who rose to point Of order.
Senator Grady introduced bill to-day which
continues the authority of the Corporation Counsel
to pay claims.