New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-04
OF CITY LEGAL. "
COLER SAYS 1T Is BEING DONE EVERY
DAY UNDER COVER OF LAW"
wHALEN IS TRYING TO DEFEAT.
WOULD SAVE NEW-YORK FROM
WHOLESALE THEFT AND FRAUD"

The speech of Controller Coler before the
Broadway Merchants Association of Williams
burg Friday evening attacking corrupt leg
islaton at Albany has stirred up considerable
excitement among politicians, who have come TO
regard the Controller a power in the COM
munity because of his popularity as an official
and his boldness in saying what he thinks about
men and measures. Yesterday the Controller
made another statement. making a severe at
tack upon departments of the city government
which purchase supplies. and hitting at Corpo-
ration Counsel Whalen without gloves. He
said:
Robbery in the city OF NewYork is now perfectly
law. sent to Albany bin that would have saved
the city from wholesale theft and fraud. 1t pro-
in lots OF less than $1,000 should be compelled
10 prove that they We're not charging the city
went TO Albany to defeat that bill. and seems to
:s This bill I'm, would stop legalzed Foobs5y When
above the market price. the Corporation Coun-
sci said he had no defence and confessed judgment
chase Of supplies l am powerless TO prevent It.
There Is concerted IN movement to prevent the
nd it d Is D0w tins b sa GT the Ia to
accepted large reductions because their claims were
so fraudulent they would dare go into court
market rate must prove fraud. or. according to
the Corporation Counsel. there is defence. He
will confess Judgment.
The city recently paid $500 for safe
non for 1901. We have paid 81 % a yard for car
ers s. sna so" % Ss H ali 91 IN bT the go St
bids and sing supplies in quantities OF less
peis these people TO make aftidavit that they are
charging the city the market rrice. This is the
The late Mr., Tweed was caught because he did
0 Should have aGE lived % S and wSd as &S oa
have found an easy way 10 loot the city under
ba8S s are s At from ok % 9e
lection from the Ramapo contract scheme. Why
doesn't the Corporation Counsel in behalf of the
three three Ramapo bins? His influence at Albany
syerT syFS measure Nc eg am interested n He was There
al the week in company with leading Repub-
l appeal now 10 the taxpayers of New-York I'm
e5f he M see & h1 viii dqnsF b doad nRf %or %6T9 n
railroad corporation whose name is on everybody's
% h TS Of R e c b5 but fqF IS o
the taxpayers suit than mine.
NO REPLY FROM wHALEN
Corporation Counsel Whalen. when he was
asked if he wanted to make any reply to the
Controllers statements replied that he would
not enter into any discussion OF them.
As to the Controllers remarks about bills at
Albany. Mr.. Whalen said;
Certainly there are always in the Legislat-
that is to be expected under every administration
But what can members of that inclination accom-
pish now while have IN the Gubsrna tortal chair
a man like Governor Roosevelt and in the Mayor
atty chair a man like Mayor Van WyCk? Has not
each consistently vetoed every bad bill which has
demanded his approval? Cannot each be de-
pended upon similarly guard the public interests
for the remainder of his incumbency? Hence the
remarks of Controller Coler true only far
they assert the reality of attempts TO pass bills
which are. to say the least. inconsiderate of the
city's finances But far his Implication Is
concerned that there is present danger of the
cess OF such attempts his note is that of the
aarnst unduiy excited.
Chairman Odell of the Republican State Com
mittee was asked about the Controllers state
ments He said ne had read what the Controller
had to say. but he had nothing TO say the
subject.