New-York tribune., 1909-10-07
METZ In VERBAL TILT
ARGUES WITH 'STIMSON.
Controller Says Hundreds Erhibit
Is Distorted and Then Disappears.

Into the quiet Of the fusion meeting at the Cti-
zens Exhibit in West Union Square and 10th street
last night there drfted a whrlwnd. Controller
Metz came. challenged the facts against the city
government being marshalled by Henry L. Sumson.
eX-United States Attorney. stormed with Metzian
vehemence, was stormed at by the large audience
and then went out sending calls Of defiance over
his left shoulder But Mr.. Metz made 1t clear that
he not TammAny
Mr.. Stimson was analyzing the political situation
He had praised the Republican party for nomnat-
ing Mr.. Barnard for Mayor praised the Committee
OF One Hundred for its exhibition revealing the
operations Of Tammany in the years of its control
and starting in the subway situation. calling
special attention TO pacard at the exhibit which
said: ''Tammanys Board OF Estimate refused to
appropriate S5OaOeO to lengthen station platforms
which would increase the capacity of present sub
ways % per cent'-when the voice OF the Controller
heard.
Tell the facts. Don't make misstatements"
came from the middle aisle. and Mr.. Stimson looked
that way in SURPRISE then recognized Mr.. Metz.
What your facts? Why not the money
appropriated? The company had bought the cars;
why did not the city appropriate the money for the
platfcrms?" said Mr. Stimscn.
Because Mr. Shonts told me he was not ready
TO go ahead. Do you think that l would put
81, $4,000 before II could be used? We needed the
money for other things. 1t was not held up by
the board 1t was practically in my hands" and
Mr.. Metz hurled these words as rapidly at Mr..
Stimson they could be uttered
Didn't you know that the cars were ready?"
The money for the cars had been set aside, but
they were not built. 1 waiting for them TO
be ready" Mr.. Metz answered
They have done their duty but YOU have not
done yours How long have you been in ofice?'
asked Mr.. StmsOn. Like a shot came from the
Controller:
Three years and nine months, thank Cod and
everybody laughed THE question of extending
the platforms did come up to US until last
spring"
And you didn't think it necessary to do any
thing until the request came to you?"
Not request for dollar came to the Board
of Estimate from the Public Service Commission
or anybody else before last spring" declared Mr..
Metz Let's get the facts right. I'm not Tam
many man. This city's all right. mighty fine
town. you people want TO know. 1 just happened
10 drop in 1 kn,w what I'm talking about and
you fellows don't. Half of this exhibit is all rot
DO You think your answer meets my PROPOSE
ton?" asked Mr.. Stimson
Just then some one shouted that Mr.. Metz should
wait and speak after Mr. Stimson had concluded
but Frank Moss who present objected, say
ing that Mr.. Metz should he allowed to go ahead
that every minute he spoke he made votes for
Mr. Barnard. That seemed to get on Mr.. Metz's
nerves. Answering Mr.. stmson. he shouted:
i am answering your proposition. Why should
put out H,Jo00o0 without interest? I have asked
for S6,0o.0oO for schools and cannot get It
until the debt limit question is settled by the
courts"
How many school sites were bought last year?'
asked Mr.. stimsOn
About dozen"
Yes, eleven: and how many schools were built
last year? asked the former United States Attor-
ney Mr.. Metz answered that none had been built,
and then he reminded by Mr.. Stimson that
eighty school sites had been purchased author
lied in the last several years. and not a school
building erected.
That is true said Mr.. Metz and was willing
TO give your committee all the facts, but you
wouldn't take them" Then somebody asked about
the F1annery syndicate of condemnation. TO which
the Controller answered that he had dug up the
facts now being used by the committee
A storm OF questions followed, and Mr.. Metz
hurled back the cry that he had only just dropped
IN, and that he for facts and-then the door
opened and he vanished. Cries Of Come back
echoed through the room. But the Controller did |
not come back. 1t all In less than fifteen |
minutes.
Mr. stimson said that Mr. Metz had helped HIM |
out. The Controller had been making honest at |
tempts do what right, but found he was not |
the whole government. MI Gaynor, IL successful |
in this election would find that he would be |
the whole thing, but would have whole lot OF !
yellow dog associates to drag him down. This !
city not by the Mayor he said, but by a |
beard of eight men. who had sixteen votes OF /
which the Mayor had but three. Not a dollar was |
spent without the of this board. The most
eloquent exhibit on the walls. MI Stimson said "a |
conclusion had been surpassed by the exhibit on |
the floor
Other speakers at the meeting Frank Moss, |
Michael J. Fitzgerald and DR.. Moskowtz. who pre- |
sided.