New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-05-05
CONTROLLER RESENTS
MAYORS ATTITUDE
Attempt to Put CohaIan Matter
Up to Him Brings Forth
Sharp Retort.
OFFICIAL RELATIONS JARR.L
Chamberlain Hyde Also Seeks to
Shift Responsibility and Prem
dergast Gives History
of Warrant.

plIitS Aci iaN4l46 pdlu the Cto,ttU 10
Daniel F. Cohalan, which has been the
cause of the controversy between the
Mayor and W. p Hearst.
The Controller replied in a pointed
statement in which he said that while
he could not with good grace have gone
back Of the official audit and signature
on the warrant of his predecessor the
Mayor had the entire matter open for
his consideration. and could have acted
had he so desired.
There was much speculation last
night as to the effect that this break
between the Mayor and the Controller
would have on the work Of the Board of
Estimate The Mayor is said to be con-
WINGED that in any controversy. between
himself and the Controller in the board
he can count on the support of President
Mitchell of the Board of Aldermen and
President McAneny. Of the Borough Of
Manhattan He would have the sup
port Of President Gresser Of Queens in
any case
On the other hand, the Controller is
equally sure. il is said, that both Presi-
dent Mitchell and President McAneny
would act with him
Mr. Mitchell said last night that he
would not change his relations with the
Mayor because of something with which
the Board Of Estimate had nothing to
do. 1t is felt, however. in some quar-
tiers that there is some reservation in
this statement and that President
Mitchell simply means that he would not
allow a personal controversy to inter
fere with his action in support Of the
general policy outlined by the admins
tration.
President McAnenys attitude Is IN
derstood to be the same as that Of
President Mitchell.
New Trouble May Reach Haaq.
So far the Board Of Estimate has
worked in perfect harmony. both the
Mayor and the fusion members making
special point not 10 allow any of the
differences of the campaign TO enter into
their work in the interests of the city.
There was one thing that for while
threatened TO cause d break. This was
the insistence of President Mitchell that
Joseph Haag be superseded as secre-
tary Of the board. Had the fusion MEM
bers desired 10 exercise their votes Mr..
Haag would have had 10 go. But Con-
troller Prendergast, IN the interests Of
harmony. urged that no attempt be made
to force Mr.. Haag out against the
wishes Of the Mayor. His arguments
prevailed.
II was predicted last night that as z
result Of the strained relations between
the Mayor and the Controller Mr. Haag
would now have TO 90.
Il may be said on the best authority
that the Controller does not feel It would
be dignified or Just for him now TO
change his attitude toward Mr. Haag
But If he should refrain from further
protest against action by the other
members Of the board Mr., Eaag could
be superseded without his vote. Presi-
dent Mitchell with his three votes, Presi-
dent McAneny with two. President
Steers with two. President Miller with
one and President Cromwell with one
would have a majority Of the board
Friends Of both the Mayor and the
Controller agree that neither desires to
have a break in the amicable relations
Of the Board Of Estimate. but both are
Of disposition TO fight if the issue is
forced by either side
Letters That Caused Break.
The correspondence that reused the ire
if the Controller yesterday was given out
at the Mayors Office. The Mayor wrote
70 the City Chamberlain:
The records OF the Office of the chief clerk
here. whose duty il is to receive and sign
all warrants on the Chamberlain for the
payment Of claims adjusted and audited as
legal liabilities against the city, show that
on December 81 last warrant was received
by the said clerk from the Controller. pay
able TO the order Of D f Cohalan. said
warrant being dated December 81, 1909. and
signed by the Controller. and that on the
same day II was signed by the said clerk
and delivered bv him to the Chamberlsir
who gave receipt therefor in the usual
course. dated December 81, 1919, which re-
VIII you please give me the record and full
history Of the said warrant, so far as II
appears in your Office?
To this Chamberlain Hyde replied:
In answer 10 your letter of inquiry os
even date. beg 10 say that the record in
this Office shows that the warrant 70
Conalan, which Fou mention, was received
a. this Office on December 81. 1903. and
that on January 4, 1910, the said warrant
ard check therefor were returned TO and
delivered u and left ar the Controllers
Office. and the receipt therefor given that
day by the Controllers representative IS on
file in this Office.
The said warrant was afterward paid in
the Controllers Office by delivering the said
check 70 Cohalan. as I an Informed. Such
payments are always made by the Con-
troller. and not here. He audits and paws
ali claims. Opposite the entry Of the
said warrant in this Office It's number
70 the Mayor, at his request" 7 am in
formed that my predecessor. Mr.. Martin,
had the entry made, and then put the war
rant in mis- pocket
7 know nothing further Of II, except that
I am informed by the Deputy Chamberlain
warrant was here and was returned TO The
Controllers Office that day. as I have
stated above.
After being informed of the substance
Of the correspondence the Controller is
sued the following statement,
have just read copies Of letters that
have passed this morning between his
honor the Mayor and Chamberlain Hyde in
reference 70 the so-called Cohalan matter
II would appear from the Chamberlain
tuoQs attempts 70 define the real respon-
sibiliry in this matter they are gradually
moving over toward the present Con-
troller office. They are very welcome
here. The Controller has nothing 10 con-
ceal. ana his memory is not defective.
Every one who has the slightest famii-
larlty with city business knows this: All
first be filed IN the Controllers office. they
then through Of nina