New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-29
THE MAYORS WRATH.
He PUTS SOME SHARP QUESTIONS TO THE
STREET COMMISSIONER.
WHEN THE EXAMINATION is ENDED HE AN
NoUNCEs THAT HE WILL ASK FOR MR.,
CoLKMAN's REMovAL-A WARM
SESSION OF THE BOARD
OF ESTIMATE.

the question OF the annual allowance to the Com
missioners Of Accounts, which Mayor Grant and
Controller Myers expressed their diverse opinions
with so much freedom at Fridays meeting, came up
at President Coleman. of the Tax Department,
thought that the Commissioners of Accounts ought to
have all the money which they needed for proper
Investigations but that it should be expended subject
70 the same rules Of accountability governed all
the city departments. The city growing and
each additional amounts asked for. Ii
part Of the duty of the Commissioners of Accounts
TO examine and see that the city receiving full
benefit from money expended. Departments should
assist these Commissioners in making all ex-
amnations as quickly and thoroughly possible
Mr.. Coleman was against all wranglng and quar-
relling between city officers. The experience of old
members OF the Board of Estimate showed that the
city had been the loser in all such contests. To
the Commissioners Of Accounts was allowed counsel.
to the people subject to investigation allowed
counsel and the Mayor was. Of course. guided by
the Corporation Counsel Thus the city kept fighting
Itself, and in Mr. Coleman's opinion the Board should
try stop the large outays caused by these quarels
Mr. Colemans expressions poured oil on the troubled
waters. and Controller Myers at once said that he
did want to hamper the Commissioners of Accounts
for they had, he must say, done valuable service.
He only thought that their duties should be
strictly defined President Arnold asked what their
duties had TO do with the contingent fund.
The Controller did not answer Mr.. Arnold but
tented himself with saying that he would vote for
the item for contingencies" but he gave notice
that he would examine the expenditures closely and
pay bills which in his opinion were Improperly
incurred.
The Mayor who had repeated many Of his DECLARE
tons of Friday, here remarked If they do anything
Illegal, Mr.. Controller of course you will refuse to
audit such bills"
The allowance was then fixed at last years figures,
$4,000 or $4,000 more than the Controller had pro-
posed to allow aud 81 500 less than the Commissioners
of Accounts asked for.
Commissioner James S. Coleman, of the Depart
ment q Street Cleaning, now appeared TO have his
appropriation settled, and to explain he could why
his provisional allowance of $4,000 d" for disposition
Of material should not be reduced by 10000, in
view of the fact that this amount had been added TO
the revenue of the Department from trimming"
In the discussion which followed ii was found, as the
Controller had declared that whatever amount came
from "scow trimming" belonged to the Sinking Fund,
and must be placed there instead of being used in
the expenditures of the Street Cleaning Department
This amount the last year footed up 100000. For
$780, if Mr.. Coleman's contracts pan OUT what is
expected, $4,000 will be realized.
The Commissioner begged for $4,000 for the item
Of disposition of material" but he succeeded in get
ting but 100000. The total appropriation for the
Department amounts 10 81 256,l65. For 1889 it
S1,272O40.
In the settlement of these veXed details came an
unexpected outburst Mayor Grant, TO whom the pro
Ceedings had become somewhat rksome. said that he
could not understand of the figures. Com
missioner Coleman street Cleaning Department. in
sisted that any changes made for the benefit
Of the city.
IL want 10 find out if cam" said Tax Commits
sioner Coleman what the Street Cleaning Department
costs. You Ito James S. Coleman left here the other
day without explaining this
"You were little too arbitrary" returned the
Street Commissioner smiling bandly.
Exactly what started the Mayor no one seems TO
know, but he said:
Commissioner intended writing you letter, but
NV hat you here i Will ask you a question AT
the meeting Tax Commissioner Coleman refers TO he
asked you why the streets were so dirty. The main
reason l understood you to give was because Of the
various openings for subways in the streets Do you
still adhere TO this explanation ?"
"You must remember, Mr.. Mayor returned Mr..
Coleman, with undisturbed blandness, that when !
was asked the question it wet day. and
lust little fell making the streets muddy
The Commissioner of Public Works tells me-" the
Mayor replied, looking that never at any
one time have more than fifteen miles OF streets,
out of the 500, been opened or have they been so
little disturbed at present to interfere with your
work.
I'm the first place" the Street Commissioner an
swered clearing his throat it is not true that there
are 600 miles of Streets
The Mayor interrupted him and called messenger.
Telephone at for Commissioner Gilroy he SAID
Mr. Coleman went on: And ! that the open
material TO be carted away and the line of each cart
marked by trail of art
The Mayor wanted To- MT o9eman T ae
Street Commissioner said "Oh yes
When - inquired Mr.. Grant.
AS often / could" was the reply, "wlthont
being mpertiDent discOurteOus. Ny men nave
other business besides making arrests have thought
for years, ! might say. that the street Cleaning ne
Mayor (this in rather confidential tonel suppose you
port YOU in it, More strOngyJ My idea is and
ALWAYS has been 10 carry out my duty to the Letter
asked the Mayor, with tnge Of icnesS in MS voice
DO DO YOU mean to claim that the streets are
DO understand you to claim that the streets
are cleaned.
Them said the Mayor, turning his head away
from the Street Commissioner 81 will discontinue 3,
any further discussion here with YOU sir and take
The Street co@misscneT said, rising: Il will not
any place where the streets dirty
see that it is no use to tax to yon about S1
Coleman My mind is made up
Turning TO the members Of the Board, Mr. Grant
continued: Il am going TO write letter to the
Health BOARD and recommend his removal" street
the door, "when he told that the streets were
eIeah ne took my breath away. have nothing else
course ''e'""'e''u Ills rehioNai do Nia''ei u
Here ;, Commissioner Gilroy arrived in re
addressed MN Commissioner sent for you 10 give
me some information. but in view Of what have de
cIded TO DO, II viii not be necessary
tW fe asS lams reormaories and other charitable
INSTITUTIONS authorized BY law. S1,172.167 was APP
prOprlatcd Inc sum Of s22. a98 was voted 10 paw |
certain claims which amounted IN s.7 600 This |
Included 1000 for Nessrs Newcombe Deyo and
COCHRAN III counsel fees for defending Excise Com |
misSiOners Mitchell Isugton and Morris. 81 SOs for
legal AID TO ASSISTANT Fire Chief McCabe who was |
renstated after beng dismissed from the Fire De.
paItInent; 5000 counsel fees 10 W Rourke Cochran
Tor maintaining Commissioner Groys right 10 10 |
head Of the Public Works Department 1000 10 |
frederic X. C0udert as counsel for the Controller |
Gurlng the market Investigation, and $500 for the
volunteer Fire Department ~ WV D'' 'N
A.. me Board adjourned 10 il O'Clock tomorrow vhen
ne exact hgures OF the budget Of 500 will probabIv
pc hhOWn II Is expected TO fall below sac oon 600
~ Extend OPTIONS on NONOyGAHELA BJyFS
Pttsburg No. Tho. in -