New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-24
CRITICIsING THE ESTIMATES.

TAXPAYERS BEFORE THF BOARD OF ESTIMATE AND
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OF ORLANDO h.
POTTER AND OTHERS
The Board of Estimate and ApportonmeDt met
arain yesterday and listened to statements IN reia
ton TO the reduction of the estimates for the ensu
INC year. General Egbert L. Viee was the first TO
offer suggestions. He said that the streets between
Central Park and the Hudson River were IN q mis-
cradle condition On behalf of the residents ne
asked for an appropriation of $4,000 to improve
them.
Orlando 3. Potter called attention to the provis-
ona estimates for next year. to show that the cost OF
the CITY Government was double now what it was
i'm 1860 In business circles prices and salaries had
been readusted but IN the city ,HePai,lnen
high salaries were still maintained; Each DEPART
mept should be compelled, he thought, to suDmlt
detailed statement of every dollar required lot .he
ensuing year, and show why 1t was necessary: iue
$4,000 asked for by the Park EN- io its 1
could Toe criticised in the some way. The estmate
of the Police Department could he reduced very
much. Real estate was taxed up to ITS iuil Valui,
ton and in some parts of the city could not De soid
for the amount on which IL was taxed. Lax Com,
missioner Rowland said be had made up MS ninu
that the valuation of real estate down town was LOO
high but that up town it was about fair MI Potter
stated that property about flfty-ninth.st' nad
been destroyed by oyer.s ss;Ss csrs ana
the burden was to decrease the taxes.
Controller Campbell interrupted Mr. Potter by
saving that he trying 10 nnu out HOW mum VI
sss S1 524744 70 the Board of Estimate and APP,
portionmsnt could cut down. He had discovered
that 500. 274,502 Is was authorized Dy IAN, anu
that the Board could only act On S1l, OWE o.
He had also been trying to find out why the esti-
mates were 81 800 600 moro for next year tnan Ior
The present year. and had learned that there was an
increase of between 100000 and $500 OOO LOT the
State debt and about $3.50, 900 tor the Department
If Public Works, winch mad formerly been paid IN
bonds But there was $1,OOO,OOO 81 increase YET
Mr.. Potter then continued his statement. and
said that the Board ought to consider III.
self responsible for the estimate OF each department
of tho City Government. 1t ought TO inquire con
erniBg the clerks employed by each department
end call Oh those in charge TO make spec1c state,
ments as TO why so many clerks were needed and
whether not the same talent was as Wen pau III
private business. . ~ ..
Peter Cassidy of the Central Taxpayers Associs-
t,op called the attention of the Board TO the high
rentf PAID for the Civil District Court rooms The
CITY paid John b. Ha 'kIn. he said for room In the
annexed district 81 500. although the property
@onld not be sold for more than that amount.
Mayor Cooper remarked that the rents were too
high but that the leases had not yet expired ana
the amounts could not be reduced. Mr. cassidy
asked why all the departments cOnld not be COM
nelled TO reduce the number of clerks as Controller
Campbell had done. The Controller smiled ana
said: ~. 7 ;,.ona % r,oto
more on January l."
President Walker and Commissioner Yermilye,
of the Board of Education. explained the use TO
which the Board intended TO apply TIE MONEY sRso
slouers had deducted 10 per cent from ali tne esti
mates for the present year except the ieachers sara
ries lie SAID that no further reduction would be
made as the attendance was constantly increasing
and new school-houses had TO oe built.
President King of the Fire Department., also ap-
peared before the Board and explained all the items
IN his departments estimate Tor next year, MAYOR
Cooper asked what the duties Of the clerks were,
how much salary each received and how mucn Ilme
they actually spent at work.