New-York tribune., 1889-12-19
STREETS MUST BE CLEANED.
COMMISSIONER COLEMAN SCARED
HIS FIGURES CUT DOWN BY THE BOARD Oh
EsTIMATE-THE HEAD OF THE TAX DEPART
MENT FINDs wHAT's IN A NAME.

MENT FINDS WHAT'S IN A NAME.
/. The Board OF Estimate continued its work on the
Budget Of 1890 yesterday beginning with the De
partment Of Street Cleaning Commissioner James ,.
Coleman, the head Of that department presented MS
revised estimates and sure that nothing less than
s1,434,s6o would keep NewYos streets clean durihs
the year 1890. Mr.. Coleman's first rebuff came from
his namesake President Michael Coleman, of the Tax
Department, who said 90 favor cutting the ap-
preparation half million dollars and trust 70 'he
elements for keeping the streets clean. In all nv
experience i never New-York dirty and hlthy
at the present time. 1t is burning shame tha'
this is So when the city is crowded with strangers
attracted for the holidays. When it is remembered
what large amounts spent annually for street
cleaning the present condition of our thoroughiares
is both abomnable and inexcusable"
The result of the Boards deliberations did not
bring about 100000 reduction, Tax Commls
sioner Coleman advocated. but the total was brouga
down to 81 1.196165, nearly s25oooo less than inc
Department asked This was not accomplished no"
ever without a hot debate between the two Cole
mans, in which the Tax Commissioner had the as
sistance Of both the Mayor and the Controller
Tell me- exclaimed the president of the Tax DC
partment what part of New-York is clean! was
wheedled last year into making larger appropriation
with the understanding that the streets would Do
really cleaned In the year 1850, and won't be num-
bugged again In that way"
Further in the debate Tax Commissioner Cole
man said: The sums appropriated are large enough
to warrant much better results. One thing tha'
troubles me is that my name being Coleman and Com
missioner Coleman, too getting flood of letters
abusing for the wretched way the streets are
kept. wish people could learn that am 'ho
wrong Coleman TO attack"
ais it fact" asked Mayor Grant, "that the re-
moval OF ashes and garbage alone costs S7O7,Ooo
ycari"
4Yes.. replied the Coleman of the Street Cleaning
Department including the final disposition Of the
material"
81 consider the condition of the streets deplorabe,
the Mayor said, and do not blame people for becom-
ing disguised. How going to clean them
I always supposed that it would cost more to clean
the streets than to remove the ashes and garbage IL
seems now that the figures are reversed 1t is time
that we found ont where the difficulty lies"
Controller Myers asked how the Commissioner found
the new system working.
at is more expensive than cleaning by contract
acknowledged Street Cleaner Coleman.
"well," the Controller said. with an air OF dep7es-
sion we certainly have the reputation Of being one OF
the dirtest of cities"
"How often" asked the Mayor. are the uptown
streets cleanedl'
Every two or three days" replied the Commits
sioner.
mo. sir5 answered the Mayor, shaking his bead
"nor every two three weeks. This is the case WIN
my street, that is certain"
Then returned the Chief Of the street Cleaning
Department speaking with deep solemnty, the man
shall be dismissed
Il am not asking for removals. the Mayor said'
but L want the streets cleaned am getting more
a6use on this score, than Coleman Nfichaen is
"The only way to do it," the Controller replied is
to have your private sweepers. as many have M
town"
Nua1iv