New-York tribune., 1886-01-17
ECONOMY IN THE CITY GOVERNMENT
THOMAS b AsTEN GIVES HIS VIEWS ON THE sU

THOMAS b AsTFN GIVES HIS VIEWS ON THE SUB
JECT.
Thomas B. Asten, ex- President of the Board
of Taxes and Assessments testified yesterday before the
Commissioners OF Accounts with reference to the meth
ods and accounts of the various departments Of the city
government He was accompanied by his counsel John
III. Bird. Assistant Corporation Wickes con-
Quoted the examination behalf OF the Commissioners
Of Accounts who present. Mr. Aston said that the
proceedings OF the Board Of Estimate would show his
reasons for criticslDg the Department of
Public Works and other departments.
The data which he furnished the Board at that time and
from which his deductions made were not spread
on the minutes This should have been done. IT
grave mistake TO omit it. The records Of the Board
should be complete transcript of its proceedings Mr.
Asteu added:
81 oil .ained my evidence from outside parties Care
fuiEves gatiOn made OF the Department OF Char
tlcs and Correction rho number OF persons cared for
in the various institutions under the charge OF the
heads OF that department obtained for series or
years, and the amounts expended for provisions and III
other The reduction In the prlco OF provisions
$l,OjO,O00 for 1888. 1t was allowed S9j0O0O.
lsaw ex-Commissioner Alsn Campbell with reference
70 the Department OF Public Works and talked with
him at length concerning the various items which mae
slOner Thompson did agree with Mr.. Campbell that
there should be a reduction Everything was pretty
well covered up In tho department ana IL was ieut ~
point out Just what the reductons should he. MT
Thompson desired twenty-one inspectors or meters
eleven Inspectors of waste and two measureTs
when asked what he would prefer TO have cut OIL he said
wanted however twentysix inspectors OF water meters
made an inspection OF tho work done by the inspectors
OF the department and the various companies ana
found that tho inspection OF meters required about
as much work the inspection OF an equal number OF
water meters sir. Thompson wac asked 10 appear De-
fore tho Board when tie final estimates we're
being considered, but he did not come. Finally
Chief Engineer BlTdsall came and said that the
inspectors OF water meters much interrupted IN
their work. lie said that they averaged twenty-five in
spectOns day. had ascortained that the gas inspeo-
tors never made less than seventy inspections ana
averaged $50 q day. In December. 1851 there were
1O995 water meters IN IL the city told Nr BIRD
sail that II the meters inspected once IN tGrce
months only eight inspectors needed tound that
the city employed nremen at .. day each 10 Wach the
noatirg baths mOOred In GOwanus Bay during thc
winter. The Brooklyn baths were watched
by a man who lived near them, and only
small sum paid for this seryice,
none OF the i've employed by the Department OF
time.
1 think that the dcduc lions made by the Council of
Political Reform relative 20 the comparative cost OF IN
spcction OF watCr-metcrs In this city ana Bronk are
correct, Notwithstanding the explanations OF Mayor
Grace to the contrary. Tho Board OF ApportiOnmoht
Is placed al dlsGdVdntaEc IN being unable 20 maze
comparisons he separate Items from year 10 year
These items In many eases are changed about. 1ho
same official orempOye Will be placed On separate pay
rolls with small compensation from each, bat In he
aggregate amounting large salary rms y true or
raj dCpartmeuts aud more especially the Health De
partment, This Is done to confuse auG cover up
Mr. Asten explained that he intended TO start ior The
south the afternoon and intended to be absent about
two months. lie told that he would be called o. 10
testify again when he returned.