New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-16
Mr.. MYERS REPLIES TO Mr.. PORTER.
TRYING TO SHOW THAT NETWORK is Gov
ERNED MORE CHEAPLY THAN THE CEN
SUS BULLETIN DECLARES.

Controller Myers sent a carefully prepared letter TO
superintendent Porter of the Census Bureau yester-
day. which he gives at length his reasons for con-
testing the accuracy Of Mr.. Porters deductions relating
to the finances of this city, set forth in his tables
comparing the per capita expenses Of NewYOrk with
other cities of the first class and published in Census
Bulletin No. So. The year selected for those con-
PARSONS was 1859. Although the boundaries Of the
city and county are identical. the Controller shows
that the county political entity continues to exist
and therefore, he argues, the county expenses" ought
not to be Jumped with the city expenses" as Mr.
Porters bulletin presents them. In computing the ex
perses of all other cities compared with NewYOrk,
county charges imposed upon the cities situated in
such counties. The Controller asks that this rule be
applied TO New York. This Of itself would cause re
duction of So $50, 045 So from Mr.. PoTter's figures
Other extraordinary and administrative expenses
which the Controller declares should be deducted on
account of mlscasscaon are 50 072 612 % expended
during the year 1850 under legislative enactment for
the purchase OF land for new parks. This item. the
Controller believes will not be paraeled in the history
Of New York for, perhaps, century TO come. He also
wants 10 have eliminated 81 ,312 ,242 so for the
structon of aqueduct, etc. 1,304,211 81 from
street Improvement Fund for works of regulating and
grading, construction of sewers, paving, etc, REIN
bured by assessments collected from owners Of prop
erty benefited, well other items Of construction
The Controller refers 10 other items which he has
included city expenses but which he thinks in COM
charges. In this category he Instances the election
expenses" amounting to 1921 ,31j 81 Mr.. Myers
closes follows:
To up, it will be that the total Of ordinary
expenditures chafgeable 10 the city amounts to
2696 1862 S. instead Of S4s 937 500, as stated in
the census bulletin. This would give per capita
penditurc based upon the population OF New ORR CITY
as announced by your Office of 81 40. instead OF
So 30 stated in Census bulletin No. So
Applying the methed adopted by YOU in arriving at
the administrative eApendtnes-i E., by dedQctlng ex
penditurcs for libraries schools, public buildings
charitable objects and wateIwOrGS use of water
find the total administ at.ve expenditures TO amount
to 900 4O7 200 SO. instead Of S36203655, stated in
the census bulletin. This would give per capita eX
pendture biased upon the population Of New-fork
City "a announced BY ONCE Of S13 49, instead OF
SO So as stated in Census Bulletin 30. 81
In view Of the intention you express OF making your
report the most comprehensive and complete exhibit
Of local finances ever published by any government
ana the fact that you have than once asserted
yonr eagerness 70 correct errors In the same cannot
but believe that you VIII Immediately take steps 70
New York City the nation IN
their true light now that the eAaCt figures and classih-
cations have been presented to Y ar attention.