New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-09
,xoruR,NG INTO CITY EXPENSES.

VIEWS OF TAX COMMISSIONER WHEELER BEFORE
TIE COMMITTEE ON CITiES-POLlCH COM
st0xFR NICHOLS ON srREET-CLEANiNG METHODS
The Senate Committee engaged In learning
the details OF department eXpcnses continued us WORK
Yesterday The session opened by The reading ot
letter from Edward Cowley late manager OF The Shep-
herds Fold asking to be heard in iepy t. statements
made about that Institution by Elbridge T. Gerry Inc
letter was from the Backwes Island Penit+ntary'
G. T. Gilderseove former secretary OF the Ere D.
partmcnt denied the truth Of certain Criticisms maze Oh
his management by Carl Jusssn the present secretary
and said Mr. Jussen went into Office on salary o.
81 600 and mad already managed to build house aud
II better than That % General Smaller his taher
mlaw Senator stIalan, inerruptins Mr. Gidersleeve'
SAID the committee had not met to consider personal
grievances.
T. p Barker secretary Of the Park Department. was
OF the opinion that number OF EMPLOYEES was not too
arge IN that department. aud stated that the depart
asked more money for next year because tue PARK
roads wearing out.
C,yu Justie, Campbell thought that SO 600 yearly
salary wa not 700 large Firsclass talent ought to
he patd frst-cass," sand the Justice IN conclusion
John Wheeler president of the Board Of Tax Commits
soncrs and also a member OF the Board OF Estimate
and Apportonment said in regard to the powers oil the
last named Board:
reductions the cty's expeuses have been made IN
the last seven years nave come tnrougn us
| ,rtion The Tax Commissioners have TOO many
clerks We reduced the exoenses OF our dep part
me in iS73 iGo% ,z5 o 100 Soo h js2
10000; IN 1877 to STA O00 N 1878 60 Sl0S'O0O;
m 1879 to ~ OF 900; in 1880 to Sl07 500 This year.
Notwithstanding great reductions. me legislature
under tie lead of Senator Sranan kindly compelled us
TO- en- down ON expenses per more The duties
| of rho Denarrmcrf OF Faxes and Assessment in
creasng. that do not hnk II would DE wise 10 rams
fer to the the Board OF Assessors The duties
of delicate great many assessments
| have been set aside. aud the Tax Commissioners are
senator McCarthy-Do You think the Mayor ought to
| have more pONerf
Mr. Wheelcr-I think he has all the power to which nc
is entitled. | am opposed Onebeaded commissions
think You viii have politics in the departments as long
as Won universal snffag". think the charter OF
| 1878 is az good charter AS New-Yor over had.
in th goycrnment aud salaries Of the officers of New
| York wOuid that action b. beneficial
Mr. Wheelcr-SOme OF 1t would DC Denehclal ana some
Senator McCarthy-Apparently this government of
Mr. Wheeler-Au, do say that believe that the
pass o. reform laws has as whole done good TO
and hings should been reformed. The last Legs
ature passed laws which cast everything into
middle; certainly VIII need legislation clearly
TO understand the tax system There are great neqa
tiles in taxation capital and wealth almost scape lax
alton through legislation az Albany ana at MaslIg1om
| uary aud swear off their personal taxes
Senator xby-Does Jackson ;. schultz pay personal
| taxes lie has patent right for reform
| MI WneeIer-I think he. swears off. We have
| lately taxed the tracks OF the street rairOads;
but they fighting us IN the courts. The Elevated
Railroads. rave within three days appealed to
tbe courts their taxation real est the
ground of Inc quality Of taxation. That takes the as
sessment before the Supreme Court under law passed
by the last Legislature. The proprietor OF the Firth
Avenue Hotel has aso refused to pay the tax laid on
hotel because OF alleged inequality The insurance
companies aud the banks also resist the payment or
their taxes owing 10 laws passed the last Legislature
Senator strahan-It ia absurd TO think that the Legs
atue its busy moments can consider Wisely laws on
| this subject.
Senator Mils-The only rational will be 10 have
ser e. of laws On taxation drawn by c0mudeiOn.
William a. Jasper. secretary Of the Board OF Assessors.
| described the me thod OF work OF that Board.
| Sidney r. Nichols, Police Commissioner who has
charge the Street Cleaning Bureau. next testi
mony. He said
do not think the present force Of employees of the
Police Department too large. fon could only reduce
the number OF the surgeons (nne by putting more
work on the smaller nutuber. Ii would be question
| whether they would do more work NJ the same pay.
| Senator McCarthy-How about political appoint
| meDts
Mr. Nichols-Wel. applications made through AL
| dermcn, Senators and Assembymen. l have never
AnOwn of an appointment made with the knowledge Of
the Commissioners That impaired the efficiency OF tno
force OF cous policeman cannot forget that he is
| voter. hnk that the men wno receive $500 year
under the law do their duties well those who
| receive $1,000 year. But at the same lime think
$500 ear very small Jay. do not think the street
the police. do not believe IN the contract system of
| street cleaning; II has always been faidre The
proper ABILITIES Tor dsposipg OF the street sweepngs
Onght 10 De provided III Is an easy matter collecting
the material aud brushing tue streets l have never
known OF the suDleiimg OF the carts We know exactly
| what each does. We don't employ any old
| thing as " middloaen" who get 80 day for cart
| and horse, and hire other 10 do the work at rs
| street Cleaning Department do not know ITS difficulties.
| We would Ike ~ rend feet OF every
dsy With the street sweepings but some days the
Is rough. and cannot laporcrs who dare
To seat lnon the sweepings collect in thesreets and AT
ine dumps. We have offered Ia give the sweepngs u
| farmers, bat they don't want them Jaudgs Hilton
tall In Ia