New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-24
CALLS WHALEN IGNORANT.
roIER WANTS HIM TO KEEP TALKING
To SHOW HIS CALIBRE.
CORPORATIONS COUNSEL ASKS THE con-
TRoILER TO BE sILENT-THE CON
TRovERsY OVER THE CLAIMS
AGAINST THE CITY.

-cse conflict between Controller coler and
Corporation Counsel Whalen over the latter's
habit of confessing TO judgments against the
city. and thas encouraging claims by city en-
rloves under the prevailing rate of wages"
rule was continued yesterday. Mr. Whalen,
after bombardment at long range on Thurs
day. said he was through talking on the SUD
1ect Mr. Golfer who was out OF the city on
Thursday, returned TO his Office yesterday and
poured hot shot .nto Mr.. Whalens laager at
short range. Mr. Whalen's guns were almost
silenced, but he took what he said might be re-
garded as 3. final shot The Controllers state
znent contained the following:
Mr. Whalen in his latest manifesto TO the press
has not only lost his temper, but by dong SO mas
furnished the public simply astounding eAhloti
ADVISER adv sincerely hope he will consider his de-
termination to stop talking SO that the PuI Se ma
who is charged with the duty of protecting their
Mr.. whaien endeavors to Show that fixed the
prevailing rate of wages for him and nXed them
ios clerk I IN Mr. Whalen's Once obtained and
this point We also obtained for him on one oc-
at no time have BEEN called upon to fix the pre-
Vailing rate The truth is that the enorts OF the
unenviable position have led him into assuming the
complains because / do not settle claims myself
without sending them to his office when he knows
Ia d aT uns out n1t of now e
pay them. He must know this, because he has
iafaTe 10 remedy that defect in the charter such
q complaint is therefore. disingenuous, TO say the
THE ESSENTIAL POINT"
Furthermore he declines to take cognizance OF
what is after ali. the essential point IN this con-
examination of these claims and transmits them to
the Corporation Counsel audited DIP to the point OF
judgment fund, the latter still reserves to himself
or anna the Controllers findings. so that. after
al n is the Cyorporatton Counsel who would audit
ana pay the claims. and the Controller would be-
The pnbIicity given to this Controversy has at
least mad one desirable result-it has forced MI:
Whalen TO attempt explanations. This is a marked
advance over the previous attitude OF his Office in
declining to furnish perfectly proper and necessary
information in regard to the status OF claims in
favor OF the city transmitted 10 the Law Depart
As the matter stands now it might almost be said
that the city has Controller, but only clerk OF
II might be possible 10 so further and state that
ali the administrative heads. OF departments are
tent permitted by the grace Of the Corporation
Counsel.
ASKED TO STOP TALKING.
Corporation Counsel whalen said late in the
afternoon.
have not entered will l enter into per
shall be paid the prevailing of wages. The
Law. says the, prevailing rate must be paid I have
ported by Supreme Court and Appellate Division
decisions SO strong that there is not a point on
stop talking and obey the law.
Many claims were filed the Controllers Of
fee yesterday The largest yet filed was
presented by James ]. Brady and is for 81 SOS
Brady is a stone mason. and his claim is for
overtime al double rates for five years, for
which he claims SS001 20. The remainder is for
the difference between the wages paid to him
and the prevailing rate.