New-York tribune., 1901-02-19
COLER ASS4HS REFORMERS
BUT HE EvADEs QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS
QUEST OF THE TAMNANY NOMu-
NATION FOR MAYOR.

Where are all the great reformers who pro-
fess so much regard for New-York City, de-
manded Controller Coler yesterday afternoon
Answering hts own inquiry. he said:
They are silent on the Ramapo matter be-
cause they don't want TO the risk OF Offend
ing the Republican organization leaders, Their
Mayoralty lightning rods are out The Mer-
chants Association is the only organization, so
far as recall at this time that has come OUT
squarely for the repeal Of the Ramapo charter
That is what Pm fighting for-the repeal OF the
Ramapo company's charter. put in a part Of
last week trying to get votes for the bin TO re-
peal the charter"
is Tammany Hall supporting you In your
hshtr' Mr.. Coler was asked
Yes" said he, John f. Carroll and James
Shevlin have assured me that the Democratic
members will vote for the repeal of the charter
votes are what count The only way 70 get the
charter repealed is to separate the parties on the
issue and place the responsibility for the life OF
Ramapo where it belongs. IL the Republicans
desire to oppose the repeal OF the measure, that
| is their privilege"
Us II the plan. then. to make Ramapo a cam
paign issue. with the Republicans and anti
Tammany organizations on the defensive?'' Mr..
COler asked
"RamapO is going to be issue all over the
State" answered the Controller. evading the di-
tcct QuFStloH uIeI It's CndrLer IL can go into
every county in the state. and simply by fling
maps appropriate a water supply"
Would you accept the Tammany nominal
ton for Mayor" Mr.. CoIer was asked
Il am not troubling myself about nominal
tiOns" said Mr.. COler. Il am doing as have
been doing all along-attending to the duties Of
my office. 1 am going to Albany on Wednes-
day 20 lecture before the Albany Historical So
ciety. and shall try to get votes for the repeal
OF the RamapO charter while there"
This administration all things considered has
given New-York City about as good a govern
ment as could be expected" MIR. Coler remarked
in closing
Mr.. Coler last night sent to Otto Kelsey. chair
man Of the Cities Committee OF the Assembly,
letter. i'm which he said among other things:
In the printed brief fled by counsel OF the
RamaPo Water Company it is admitted (page 90
that the supplying of water TO the municipality
is rs bGt one OF the operations which that com,
known 10 utilize the mower 10 he derived Sror,
the fall OF the water. before IL reaches the last
municipalities, in obtaining electrical energy"
In other words. a great commercial undertaking
is planned. exclusively for private gain. which
the city of New-YOrk is to be used the means
of enabling the promoters of this scheme to reap
The Ramapo Water Company does not by rea-
people OF the city of New York 1t threatens the
interests OF me PEOPLE OF & every county IN the
contain available sources OF wate~ supply.
secured options in fourteen counties. There is
reason 70 believe that II not sooner checked. sim
liar options will be secured in many other counties.
The charter OF the RamapO Water Company, as
extended by the Act of lsg6. has made it a monop-
oily. No other water company possesses similar
rights. Is IL not reasonable them To suppose that
before long this monopoly will be in a position
where il dictate terms to every town, city and
village in the State which seeks to satisfy the in
creased needs for water due to rapidly increasing
population?
Politicians generally of the opinion now
that Mr. Coler is out for the Tammany nominal
tiOn for Mayor. When Mr.. COIer was good
naturedly charged with il yesterday he said:
Yes. / see what the papers printing. Why
don't you gentlemen (referring to the newspaper
mem bring out some other spring candidate
and kill him OFF,