New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-16
CIRCUIT LIKELY TO RUN.
MANY CONFER WITH HIN.
Controller Takes Luncheon nth
Mayor-Meets Ridder.

Controller Grout is likely TO accept a renon-
nation for Controller on the fusion ticket He
has told Mayor Low and City Chamberlain
Gould that he will think the subject over and
decide before tomorrow noon. He may decide
to-day.
The Controller came home yesterday on the
KONG Albert, Of the North German Lloyd Line,
with his wife and two children, after spending
six weeks in Brussels England and the Isle OF
Wight. Mrs Grout and the children went abroad
early in May Mr.. Grout was met at Quarantine
by newspaper men, AS soon as he reached shore
he bought three peaches for 10 cents and ate
them in the street.
You can hardly get peaches for love or
money on the other side" said the Controller,
and when I saw them right here at home they
seemed like near relations. Three good peaches
on the other side cost about 50 cents"
The Controller hurried to his home in Brook
lyn and then went to his Office. IN the Stewart
Building where he was beset by newspaper men
anxious TO learn whether he would accept the
denomination rendered him by the fustonists. To
all of the queries he said. Wait" Borough
President, Swanstrom OF Brooklyn and Presi-
dent Fornes OF the Board OF Aldermen were
among his earliest callers. The Mayor took him
to luncheon at the Hardware Club After his re-
turn to his office. at 2:30 D. III. the Controller
was seen by a Tribune reporter.
Before decide with reference to accepting
a denomination" said Mr.. Grout. II want time
TO talk the subject over with my friends both
inside and outside political organizations.
have been away since August 1. and have not in
all that time seen United States newspaper.
am feeling fine physically. but 1 don't know
much about the political situation think
forty-eight hours is littls enough time In which
to think It over. At the present time my mind
is entirely open in the matter Personally
much prefer to retire to private life and resume
my law practice Mrs. GrOut feels about it as
do The action OF the fusion cOnferrees is a
good deal of a surprise to me did not think
anything would be done until after the middle OF
September. I am informed that the Mayor was
kind enough TO suggest that If he were renomi-
mated he would be glad to have Mr. Grout and
Mr.. Fornes rcnominated also. knew before
went away that the Mayor felt that way. but
did not think anything would be done before
returned. 1 had engaged passage that would
have brought me home September l. but the
vessel was withdrawn. and the best could do
was to wait for the KONG Albert"
DO you feel bound by the action Of the fusion
conference?'
NO. do not feel bound to accept a renom-
nation" said the Controller.
DO you feel under any obligations to accept.
n
stand?'
Well" said Mr. Grout with some hesitation.
1T is a question whether certain considerations
should not outweigh personal desires
rs two years longer any too much time for
the fusion administration fully TO work out the
constructive policy it IL committed tor the
Controller asked.
1T is not enough was the prompt answer.
As far as the Controllers Office is concerned
a policy Of retrenchment and reform should be
maintained in it for the next ten years II the
term could be extended 20 ten years I would
not hesitate minute about accepting renom-
nation 1 think IL is more important that the
Controller should have long tenure than that
the Mayor should have it. 1t will take ten
years TO get rid Of some OF the antiquated and
expensive methods hat have grown up into a
machine in the Controllers office. A Controller
could do more In n single term of four years
than in two distinct terms Of two years each
AS GOOD A DEMOCRAT AS MURPHY
DO you regard yourself any the less Demo-
crat because you have been recommended by
an anti-Tammany body for high city Officer
Not bit OF it." said the Controller. Il am
Just as good a Democrat as Charles F Murphy
OF Hugh Mclaughlin. and they know IT. II I
hadn't been a good Democrat would not have
been asked last fall 70 preside at one OF the large
meetings"
While Mayor Low and the Controller were
walking through the corridor Of the Postal
building, after taking luncheon at the Hard
ware Club. they net Herman Rider leader of
the German-American Reform Union. The three
men shook hands cordially and talked for a
few minutes. Then the Mayor walked away.
and the Controller and Mr.. Ridder chatted alone
for two minutes
Soon after Mr.. Grout went TO his Office John
c Sheehan and Bryan L Kennedy, OF the exec
utive Committee OF the Greater New-York De-
rnocracy. saw him. Later. when Mr.. Sheehan
was asked about the significance OF the confer
ence. he said;
CIRCUITS attitude. He not ready TO inform