New-York tribune., 1909-06-30
COLER SAYS METZ LIED
INVESTIGATION BEGUN.
Borough President Declares Details
Did Not Bother Him.

Borough President Coler vas the principal witness
st the investigation Of his office by the Commits
EIoaers Of Accounts at the City Hall yesterday
In testimony ne said that he gave little atten-
tion 20 the details Of the administration after CIV
ing orders lie had not tried public letting for
cleaning public buildings in his borough. he SAID
and admitted that the cost of taking care of them
vas much greater than for private buildings
Mr.. Coler took with him TO the City Hall yester-
day oil painting. on the lower margin OF which
was painted the name Of Bruce Crane
This" said he. rs the $4,000 Hurley painting
I brought it over In case the Commissioners of Ac-
counts want to it
without frame It did not look like a very costly
painting William s Hurley. for a short time a
Rapid Transit commissioner. two years ago. is the
Brooklyn banker politician and friend Of Controller
Metz from whom Mr.. Coler borrowed s10,0oa IT
suggested the time thst the painting. which
represents Southern cornfeld in a rather uncer-
tain light. made its appearance at the Borough
Presidents office after Mr. Coler awarded a
sewer contract to Mr.. Hurley.
The inquiry had not proceeded far before Mr..
Coler took occasion n say that the Controller had
led Commissioner Mitchell wanted 10 know If MI
Coler had found il necessary 10 obtain an extra
appropriation last year.
When We were ma king VI the budget in 1901 and
1913" said he we wanted wind II up in hurry
and they wanted 10 down the appropriation for
borough presidents TO = certain figure The Con-
1roer said could 60 10 the Board Of Aldermen
bonds That was understood by all Of US. and I
relied on il. but wnen I ran out Of money in Sep
tenbe-. I found that the Controller was trying 10
make overdraw. II was in connection with this
incident that the Controller led-Just plain lied.
sald Coler-
KoIuminous reports and records of an investiga-
ton extending over nine months formed the basis
Of Commissioner Niitohels questions.
LAWRENCE HEADED ACTORS UNION
Coming 10 the bureau of public buildings and Of
6ces, Mr. Coler testified that Mr- Lawrence. the
superintendent Of public buildings, the man
who decided what firm should furnish 10 the city
supplies not provided for by public letting. He
relied on the Controllers office he said. for the
final checking up the prices paid for supplies
Asked as 10 the standing and responsibility Of
firms whom orders were given, the Borough
President remembered only one case in which the
standing Of the firm questioned but he couldn't
rerneuber the name in the case.
Was Mr. Lawrence known TO you personally be
gore YOU appointed him?'
what qualifications had he as a purchasing
agent2'
We'll he was general all around man" replied
Nj Ccer
Asked as 10 Mr.. Iawrenoes previous business ex-
perience. Mr. Coler said he had been president Of
the Actors Union. The Borough President said he
never remembered any complaint being made to
him Of LaRrence's work.
AS 10 the cleaning OF public buildings. Mr Coler
said that Brooklyn public buildings were cleaned
At smaller cost than those eof any other borough
TT can't he compared 10 the work Of cleaning a
private building said NJ Coler- When Conn1lis-
sioner Mitchell wanted TO know why, he SAID mat
the class Of people who had business In public
buildings. particularly in oourthouses. were care
less and dirty in their habits. more so even than
they would be in private buildings
Have You ever thought Of inviting bid for the
cleaning Of public buildings TO get a comparative
cost?r asked Commissioner Mitchell
ro1ar said he hadn't And Il had my way.
he added I'd do al possible work-cleaning, re-
pairing and on-by the payroll force
Was there any great increase in the number OF
buildings cleaned in 1918 1902 asked NJ
Mitchell next after looking through some records
Nj Coler said he couldn't answer. It was when
asked about this appropriation that he said Con-
troIer Metz had lied.
WANTS AUTOMOBILES DISTINCTIVE
The Courthouse fire. the next subject brought
uu and Mr.. Coler went into brief explanation of
Sseoo repair fee.
THAT fire came on a Friday afternoon" he said
"and if was question of speed The proposition
was that the repairs vera to be rushed through by
working them twenty-four hours a day. SO the
ceu-troouls would be ready Monday morning
did they make goodg'
Yes
- 0Ir Lawrence had strict orders Mr.. Coler said.
10 wach that bin carefully. and though CColer)
~ never the bill himself. he understood that 1t
had been checked up carefully. II went through
the Board Of Estimate as an emergency order.
Are the automobiles for the department pur-
chased through the Bureau Of Public Buildings and
Ofhces?"
Yes. they have been replied Mr. Coler
As TO the cost OF the cars Mr Coler said he
couldnt be definite bat for the ten cars used in
his department the initial cost was low-too low
and the maintenance was rather high
Commissioner Mitchell asked him as 70 the COM
parative cost Of automobile as against the cost
of a horse and wagon, bu- Mr. Coler thought that
such comparison couldn't be made, as much
more work could be done with automobile.
Have NcG ever made any serious effort TO re-
strict The use Of The machines to purely depart
mental work."
Nothing more than 10 issue orders that they
shall be so used" replied M Coler: but on that
am in favor OF painting all city cars distinctive
color"
James l. Rooney. inspector cf complaints was
mentioned. and Commissioner Mitchell wanted to
know exactly what work Rooney had to CO. but
EIsslaent 1eer was very vague on that point He
Simply SAID Rooney Is Very busy man and
In the Bureau Of Sewers E ! Fort Is chief o.,
el-elF and James Dunn is sunerintendent Tn. du-
leS OF the latter's office Mr. Coler also found n
GlThCCH define - A.
Commissioner Mitchell said he hoped 70 finish
"a PRESIDENT 1olsr witness to-day and NJ
tel2r said anything suited him, so that the,
brought out some constructive ideas for ctv work
as result Of the inquiry.
EQUITABLE REPORT COMPLETED