New-York tribune., 1883-12-18
DISPOSING OF CITY MONEY.
MR.. AsTEN AND AND MIR. ANDREWS FALL
OUT,

Fire Commissioners Purroy, Van COtt and
oroker yesterday, before the Board of Estimate and A.
portionment explained the items in their budget The
increase over last year. they sad made up largely of
TWO ITEMS S924OO for more companies and 100000 for
new houses.
Mr. Asten-I am an old fireman and can find no fault
with the amounts asked for shall vote for them.
The amount allowed the Fire Department for 1883 was
$l'oso,745. The amount asked for 1884, which viii
probably be allowed, is Sl,6s6 129 20.
President shaler said the Health BOARD had
asked for $4,000 more for salaries making the total
for salaries $4,000. There had been changes I'm tho
casscaton OF employees and the Increase necessary
Mr. AstenWhyis Unnecessary vaccinating corps
snail be Increased when smallpox is almost obteratedf
President shaler-The vacclnating corps kept busy
| because OF the increasing population.
| Mr.. Asten-The law provides for two bureaus in tue
Health Department that the Sanitary Bureau has
pcen split up into seven divisions each presumably with
head Why Is this necessary
President shaer-for greater efficiency
President shaler explained at length the duties Of
| the meat milk and fruit inspectors.
| Mr. Asten-The city is cleaner and moro
healthy Than for many years past yet find here an
increase OF nearly $4,000 for salaries. Why is thisf
President Shaler. II you visit my Office could
convince n half hour that the increased popula-
tons the greater Of the city and the increased
number Of houses TO inspect will the increase
Mr. Asten-Is it not fact that the city is not much
healthier than In former years lam familiar with tho
building laws and know that there has been great
improvement scoustrucOn Of tenements requiring less
frequent inspection than those constructed in former years.
The Old-class tenemens, have beenmaterially altered
under the requirements OF the Health Board The
law passed last winter required all plumbers to re-
port to the Health Board and be registered This made
additional clerical work. and for this $4,000 appro
priated There will be nothing like that amount Of work
for the coming year. Yet that the full amount Is
asked for.
President shaer-The law calls for 1t.
Mr.. Astcn-The law fixes a limit II does not require
that the fun amount shall be spent.
President 5haler said that the par tnent headquarters
were wholly inadequate Hence 5000 900 mad been asked
I9i 20 procure site and put np building Another pa
yOp was necessary North Brothers Island and for
thiySl lls,0O0 was asked.
Mr. Asten-I admit that the quarters CT the Health De-
paItmeut contracted. but think the day is not far
distant when an additional building win be erected in the
CITY Eall Park that will furnish accommodations for
The Health department has this year s4632o7; for
1854 SI4O199 Is asked for; the provisional estimates
allow si22,7 799.
CONTINGENCIES IN THE CORPORATION CoUsEL's
OFFICE.
Robert A. Shannon a taxpayer criticised several
items The S37 500 for contingencies for the Law De-
partment he could warrant OF law for
Mayor EdsonCan the Corporation Counsel tell before
hand what expenses ho viii incur for counsel fees
Mr. shannon-He should be able 10 approximate it.
The State AtorneyGeneral does not ask for anything
like this amount
the main point The Corporation Counsel has 80 assist
ants aud he now wants $4,000 for contingencies I
think too much in that shape. should like to know
what the amounts are which make up tins sum.
Mr.. shannon opposed the appropriation OF $4,000 for
counts. This altogether too much 10 pay officials
who had failed to detect fraud, and one Of whom had
been dismissed for dcreliction Of duty.
MT shannon opposed the items Of 500 900 for sheris
Jall.
has bcpn doubled since
Mr.. shannon declared that the expenditure for the
ty for so many assistant dstrictattorneys Sections
1903 and l5Q4 of the consolidation act liked the number
should be reduction OF expenses in many OF the depart
ments.
MIR. ANDREWS PROCEEDS TO EXPLAIN.
CORPORATION Counsel Andrews came in and Mr.. Asten
asked him questions about the $4,000 for cOnn-
gences.
Mr. Andrews-There are more than 10000 cases. in
volvng millions Of dollars still in litigation in which the
p6y special counsel or spend money expert evidence.
In alone the bond ax matter or lssl had the
desSn S1 6aS Scsn s6SS5e 70 'no city "0u nave cost
Mr. Asten-If you need more help in the way OF
sell why patit sol Here is item Tor $4,000 for
the detection and punishment Of frauds on the cy and
county OF New-YOrk prior to 1s72. This same item
appeared last year have not able to ascertain
what 1t means have called at the Controllers Office
Mr. Androws-Tne gentlcman's Office is within a stones
throw of mine. We are in the same building He could
have readily ascertaned all about the item By calling
Orr he did not wish 10 take this trouble he could
have written to me.
Estimate and App0rtonment This Is the place TO seek
information and have been sent FOR by the Board
Mr. Andrews (warmlyl-One reason why this item Of
$375OO asked for is because the Tax department has
folio Scd the opinions or the corporation COunsel IN
taxing corporations, and the city has thus become in
Mr. Asten. dndignaItyJ-I may have something to say
the opinions OF the Corporation Counsel both oral
Mr. Andrews-The bank shares in this city were I'm
properly assessed for 10 years fhe tracks OF the eleya
This was all wrong. have told the Tax Commissioners
how they could legally tax these corporations but they
have failed to do IT, and needless litigation has followed.
THE ARGUMENT WAVES WARM.
Mr. Asten-I was not in the Tax office in 1880. did
not take the Office there until Dec. 81 1880 Since then
the opinions of Mr. Andrews have been followed have
asked for certain information and would like to have it,
Mr.. Andrews-If you going to talk all the time
cannot explain any thing
Mr.. Asten, (hotly-Wcll, propose TO talk matter
how eminent people may be.
Mr.. Andrews, (sarcastically are very much Civ
ell to talk.
The Mayor called the two gentlemen to order
Mr. Reilly said that IL the Tax Commissioners had
subjected the city to loss they should be held
personally responsible.
Mr. Andrews said tnat his successor would have 10 de-
eide that point lie added: when the question OF
for the president OF the Tax Department and his deputies
obtain information concerning the matter and they
were obliged to confess their ignorance"
Mr. AstenI did not ask for an argument. asked for
Information.
Mr. drews-And Will give II to yOu-a belly-full Of
IT,
Mr. Asten-You cannot give me too much. am not
afraid to have the fullest light thrown department.
Mr. Andrews then proceeded 10 explain at length the
ITEM OF $4,000. IL first appeared ten years ago, when
the Ring trials under Ii intended 10 pay
expert counsel aud procure testimony. Messr Taintor
aud Tinker employed examining various
the books or the Broadway Bank. Since then
been other suits including the Navarro Water
casc involving ~ 100000 James c. Carter
iucted the until he taken sick then r. " Bangs
was employed. Judgment against the city rendered
By the referee John n Porter. This reversed
General Term and the matter stands Then there
Hackey strcetclcanng contract case which has been
under way for nearly twenty years Other cases were
cited.
Mr. Asten-You have said that suits invjlvng millions
lf dollars have been begun against the Tax Department.
WIN you please say how many have been lost
Andrews acquitted the Tax Department of respcn-
L