New-York tribune., 1901-08-27
"OH, STOP" CRIES COLER.
BIS SHY AT CROKER TURNS LOOSE Po-
LrTICAL sTINGERS
he NEVER, NO NEVER, REFLECTED ON
CROKER. PLATT OR Iowa SIGNED
STATEMENT TO RIGHT HIMSELF.

STATEMENT TO RIGHT HIMSELF.
Controller Coler's veiled thrust in his Sunday
night interview at the Squire f wRntaGe. as
Richard Croker is now called. had the same
surprising effect yesterday, although In "a differ
ent way as the small boys rock heaved into a
quiet beehive an August afternoon-it amply
did the business The Controller made heroic but
somewhat picturesque attempt 10 run away
from the political beehive. but. TO make a long
sirnile short the busy bee had just much
steam UP as had Mr.. Coler. and the honors at
sundown were not entirely with the suave Tam
many official who makes figures talk in the
Stewart Building.
So many things fell about the ears Of Con-
troller Coler yesterday that last night he felt
compelled TO clear up number Of alleged mis-
apprehensions concerning his political attitude
This he did in the following statement, given
out at his house in Brooklyn last night:
So many misstatements and misconstructions
OF my intentions and actions have appeared re-
Gently that / regret the necessity OF stating
my position over my own signature, and 70 re-
frain from saying anything politically hereef-
ter excepting in like manner. This afternoon
an interview was published that almost
entirely false. and what little truth there was
in Il greatly distorted, and that a breach
Of confidence.
Some months ago 1 stated my position clearly.
Nothing have said or done warrants al thls
agitation. i cannot say more except 10 re-
fterate; nor can ! refuse what has not been Of
fered. Excepting in humoT, have never mace
any statements rejecting upon MT. croker OF
Mr. Platt. or even Mr.. Low, and whatever any
OF them have in mind does not concern me. All
desire is to retire from the Controllership with
as good a name as when sworn in. A pubic
man who can accomplish that in our day Is eH-
tremely fortunate BIRD ;. CoLEh'
In explanation Of his statement Mr.. Coler said
that an Interview purporting 10 have come
from him and making him appear ridiculous
and ludicrous published in a New-fork
rna
story 10 he entirely unauthorized, and, in his
own words, "a pure pipe"
The Controller DID some neat side stepping"
as they call il AT the Democratic Club, when the
newspaper men tried yesterday at his office TO
pin him down 10 what he would do would
not do.
Mr Coler's rap at Richard Croker. printed
IN The Tribune yesterday, not relished
by the Tammany men. Many Of them who
hope 10 see Controller Coler nominated for
Mayor hurried 10 his Office early yesterday
morning and told him plainly that this was
no time 10 crack Jokes. matter how good
the joke The Controllers statement with ref
erence to his visit TO Boss Mclaughlin at
Jamesport that fishing for Democratic nom
inations in American waters q hopeless
undertaking. Was looked upon by the Tammany
district leaders as a sort OF irebrand. The thing
most feared by the Tammany men is the effect
in the fall campaign OF the story told from the
carts and trucks about Richard Croker spending
more than half his time in England. where he
has magnificent country place and lives in
lordly style. That sort Of thing is not relished
by the men who toll with their hands.
Mr. coler in having a little fun with the Eng
lsh country gentleman at Vantage" stepped on
the toes Of those who now tremble at levity in
connection with the name of Croker. They are
certain that Croker will take IL as a personal
affront, as he IS far more ''touchy" about his
personal affairs than when he plain ward
leader.
Mr.. Coler cool. pleasant and 'shifty'
when the newspaper men saw him yesterday at
the Stewart Building.
Mr.. Coler." said Of the reporters, some
few months ago you said that you would not
accept any nomination for Office. Are you still
OF that opinion?'
My opinion is the Is has been" was
the reply.
Would you accept the regular nomination for
Mayor"
That is a question must not discuss" said
Mr.. Coer. If / said yes many would con-
stantly say I told you So and / am sure that
if I said no. people would then say il was a case
of sour grapes ] wodld be pounded either way.
and the best way escape that is not to say
anything. / must decline TO answer the ques-
ton"
The Controller was asked if the statement that
he had documentary proof which II made pub