New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-09
THE MAYOR on UNExPEYDED BALANCES.

EMERGENCIES THAT REQUIRE TRANsFER5-BCsl-
NESS PRINCIPLES IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS.
Mayor Edison yesterday, in conversation with
TRIBUNE reporter relative the transfer ofuneXpended
balances, said: AS general proposition am in favor
Of covering into the city treasury at the beginning OF each
the unexpended balances remaining 70 the credit OF
the various departments for the year just closed But
emergencies may arise which require expenditure OF
money for the benefit OF the departments If all the bal
covered into the city treasury, nothing would
be available. The Board of Estimate and ApportOnment
cannot order dollar expended for the benefit of de-
parment after the final estimates have been agreed upon
except from the uuexpended balances Then, too must
be borne in mind that the departments could have
expended these entire If they had chosen so to
do. The appropriations made subject to the order OF
the heads OF departments Most Of the transfers which
have been made practically necessity. The very
first made after entered upon the duties OF the office
of Mayor item Of 900 for the Board Of Edu
cation made in accordance with an Of the Legislature
President Asten, Of the Tax Department has lately OPP
posed making the transfers Yet he voted for the large
items passed In the early part Of the year. The transfer
for the Department OF Public Works he voted for, giving
reason that he knew the appropriation for that De
partm ent too small but he voted to reduce the
amount asked for at the suggestion of Campbell then
Controller IN the case or the PARK Deparnen tpere
wrangug In the Board for several years. Nothing
received unanimous vote. The suggestions OF one side
voted against by the other The consequence OF all
this that the parks neglected and run down.
making good the injury caused by the neglect Of their
predecessors But this requires money and why should
not the amounts part at least OF what apprO
pated during the terms of the present COMMISSIONER
years there has been between the Mayors and
Of the departments and the Controllers and OF the
departments This will account In part for the balances
that remain. Everything Is working smoothly The
Mayor and heads OF departments accord with each
other and more being accomplished than heretofore
There Is another thing TO be borne In mind. The city
IA growing rapidly, much faster than many people
imagine. welregllated Government should keep pace
with the legitimate demands OF the times. With
larger population each year. the citys constantly
growing greater the number OF miles Of streets inceas
ing, II is only natural that the tax levy should be
greater"
Does not the tax levy grow faster In proportion than
the city, In lSs2 the tax rate was W 70 per SlO0 Tor
the present year is 80 % and II the provisional estt
mates agreed upon become the final estimates, the tax
rate will be 81 80 or 81 80 per $780,"
That think can he explained by the inequality In the
assessed valuation. There are very great yari-
in this city. For instance. / know piece
Of property assessed at valuation OF 100000,
while another piece near by equal In value Is assessed at
SlSO,00O."
''what Is your remedy for this condition OF thingsp
"I favor the appointment Of a commission to be COM
posed OF real estate experts who shall go all the real
estate In the city and tx the valuations IN accordance
with the actual value OF the property There is nothing In
that II the real estate valuations equally adj
lused the tax rate IN this city would be reduced from
L 10 per cent.
have been made to say that convinced that the
public affairs OF the city could be on business
principles. This is an error What said that the
public affairs Of the city could not be conducted man
would conduct HIS his private business There various
economies Introduce into his private business
which cannot be taken advantage Of In conducting public
affairs The latter regulated by law and innOt be
conducted In any other way"