New-York tribune., 1908-01-11
METZ'S FIST READY.
BIT COLER WALKS Az AY.
Nearlv Come TO Blosrs After Board
of Estimate Meeting.

Controller Metz and Borough President Coler
Of Brooklyn narrowly escaped getting into
nhvsical combat yesterday after the meeting
% ,he Board Of Estimate. The word duels be-
.,aeo the two are so common that they
c-dinarilv soon forgotten. but the nearness to
= 6ght Yesterday startled those cognizant of it
Mr. Coler introduced set Of resolutions
calling on Mr Metz to present at the next meet
.ne Of the board a report showing the warrants
drawn for construction contracts and the pur-
chase Of lands as well as particulars TO the
rurposes for which the land was purchased and
N. amounts Of sales by private agreement and
condemnation proceedings since January 1.
1895.
In ether resolutions Mr. Coler asked Mr..
Metz for a report showing the disposition Of
su funds raised by the corporate stock sale OF
eeptenl Der 10 last and the amount of moneys
credited in his books TO each of the corporate
stock accounts.
Z object TO those resolutions" said the Con-
,roIler.
why. I've tried to get at those facts and
have been unable 10 do So" said Coler.
i've told you to send a clerk and you could
get them at any time said Mr. Metz
y wish to state continued the Controller
addressing himself to the board, that II the
other members wish these reports they shall
have them although IT will take a great deal OF
hard work to prepare them If the Borough
President Of Brooklyn wants them he can send
a clerk over TO get them for him"
Il wanted TO get them. but couidn l. sa1o
President Coler.
Il told YOU YOU could have them-that the
facts could be ascertained by your clerk or
snv one you might send" said Controller Melz.
.-r-n sorry to disagree with you," retorted
Mr Coler.
You know I'm telling what is true. declared
Mr. Metz Il don't object TO giving out in
formation at any time do object to compiling
statements 10 be used in distorted representa-
tons TO the press for purposes Of notoriety-
Gentlemen! Gentlemen cautioned the
Mayor.
u move that the whole matter be referred to
G. committee consisting Of the Controller and
me Borough President of Brooklyn" said Pres
ident MCGOWAN.
The subject was set down for future consdera-
ton.
As soon as the board adjourned the Con-
trouer jumped up and trailed after Mr Coler
who was on his way out Of the chamber Over
taking the Borough President in the corridor,
the Controller his face tense and white
growled him:
..-cler 7 warn YOU 20 keep your nose out
o< nv Office business You've got enough to at
tend 70 without trying TO queer my office and
I won't stand for your interference any longer
Nj CoIer did not stop in his walk down the
corridor II he had probably there would have
been trouble because the usually good natured
Metz was at the boiling point.
Later in the afternoon there was given our
st the Controllers Office q letter from Deputy
Controller McCooey TO Borough President Coler
IN answer 10 the contention Of Mr.. Coler
that money raised by the sale or corpo-
rate stock must be used, if at all, for the
specific purpose for which the bonds are sold
Mr Coler threatened to enjoin the Controller
II he used the proceeds Of the sale OF cor
porate stock for other than specific purposes
The ietter is as follows:
Replying TO your letter of the 4th inst L
desire 10 inform you that the legality OF the
issue Of corporate stock for various municipal
purposes" and the placing Of the money derived
therefrom in one general account from Wnlch
transfers are made to special accounts as re-
cuired, carefully considered at the time OF
the adoption Of that form of certificate. IN NO
vernber 1904. by the then Controller, Hon Ed
ward II. GrouI and an opinion confirming the
legality Of such issue given by the then
Corporation Counsel. Hon John J. Delany, ana
'conclTTed in by the Hon John F. Dillon