New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-07-15
A DEPARTMENT DISAGREEMENT.

COMMISSIONER VAN MORT REPLIES TO THE siAih-
MRNT THAT HIS DEPARTMENT is INCREASING
THE CITY DEBT IN CARRYING ON UNNECESSARY
IMpRovEMENrs-TH RESPONSIBILITY SHIFTED
UPON THE CONTROLLER
Commissioner Van Mort has sent to the
Board OF Aldermen. in answer to resolution OF that
body the following communication, IN reply 10 the i'm
mutation that the Department Of Public Works is largely
increasing the city debt by carrying on unnecessary
improvements He fixes Mr. Green the responsibility
for assessments against the city for uptown improve
mcnts. The following are extracts:
There was a deficiency in 1871 OF N,376,675 80 sur
plus for the benefit OF the general iund IN ioaa oi
ss6O0 a. and surplus for the benefit OF the general
parment account OF the assessment fund debt Tor
various street improvements. were o,,-oco
in iSi3 s 1896 Is 80 -: -
Totsl.............. ...............sl22 SS,7O7 52
This fund is designated Ivy the Finance Department as
Temporary Debt but IT proper TO state that CON
siderable portion Of the assessments payable by the
cy aud the bonds representing such assess
should be redeemed By the issue OF permanent
debt fund and added TO the permanent debt Of the city
large for works carried during ls 1872 and 1873
is not known to this DEPARTMENT but must be several
mention of the permanent debt for construction
of oirs alterations OF the aqueduc extension ana
of Croton water mains, reconstruction OF
sewers, &C., were for "a years, S,3lS,5O7 10.
Assuming the expenditures on account OF street ln
provcenfS be temporary debt enormously repre-
sened by the FINANCE Department. the following Will
the operations Of this Department;
IN ISL. 50, 2o2 e98 a In lS7S. s2ls'O52 IS
Ever since public attention has been drawn TO the
enormous increase OF the city debt notwithstanding
great reductions of expenditures made by this and
other Departments and other retreuchments expected
rem Reform gQYeTpment, the present head OF the
Finance apartment has sought to create the Impression
that such of the ceDt was principally due 10 ex
travagant prosecution Of uptown improve
ments carried on by this Department.
the respon sibty for Tie heavy burden imposed upon
the city large for uptown improvements where ii be-
BonIevard tic Sikh and Seventh-avcs., Avenue 81.
y. .hoas ODe.hundred-and-rfly -hfth-st, aud other
Streets parks and pubic places ~ the district
bounded by Filty-niuin-s Eighthaye., One-hundred-
and-euth-st., sixthave., Harlem River, and Hudson
when in control of the Central Park administration,
under the special laws" passed by the Legislature
DuIing my administration OF thls Department no
street Improvements have been begun The cost OF when
property and with the exception of the Eastern Boue-
ward, all such street improvements have been made In
pursuance Of ordinances OF the Common Council, which
am by law required to execute; An association OF
advocated and obtained the passage OF the Eastern
Boulevard act under which the Eastern Boulevard was
laid out by me entirely within the lines of existing
streets, requiring outlay whatever for new Land,
either by property or by the city; the work now
m progress with ii is the m1cadamzng OF
of the streets ana avenues comprising It, aud
the regulating and grading OF One-hundred and tenth
ST. these improvements are mpeTatlyey necessary and
viii be paid entirely by assessment upon adjoining
property. No work Is carried on nor OF one hundred
snd.twenty -fh-st IN pursuance OF other authority
than the Common Council except the completion OF the
improy begun by Mr.. Green. by putting IN sew
ers and the grading and OF one huudTed
and-fifty -hs St. to establish communication between
the Boulevard aud Avenue 81. Nicholas.
From the report OF the proceedings OF the Board or
Estimate ana ApportOumcut, which appears III the
Ind that Controller Green has offered
anulcs and resolutions against the further
sessment bonds for street improvements Ih L. merely
"a method OF his for imputns 10 this Department
the prosecution Il unnecessary WORK. and giving Nun
self The appearance OF being opposed for reasons OF
economy, TO the very Improvement winch he planned
and originated. aud which, through special legislation
recommended aud approved ~ hm nave become
burden the city 20 tue extent OF Oue-hai their
cost. The expenditures of the Department Taxation,
Assessment and Funded Account have been reduced
which Will show, at tine CiO5 OF the year.
"a reduction Of million dollars compared with
last year aud Of over five millions compared with the
wear ls1I Very respectfully, GEO. NJ. Van NOHT
Commissioner ol PuDIic Works.