New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-07-07
SURPRISES FOR THE BOARD
NEW WAYS OF FLEEING TAXPAYERS.

MAYOR GRANT ANNOYED BY THE FIRE DEPART
MENTs DEMASDs-sCHooL coMMIs-
sIoNERs sSUBDED.
Some Of the ways In which Tammany Hall improved
its opportunities last winter 10 secure from cor
r,ipt and plant Legislature enlarged E'chues ~,
fleeing the people OF this city under the forms OF
law are only now being made public. Fire Com-
missioner Robbins unfOlded two OF these schemes IN
the presence OF the Board OF Estimate yesterday anu
all its members expressed surprise. not to say con
sternation at the deftness and secrecy WIN
whi5lt the plans for getong oeouFe ou'
OF the city treasury had been successfully put through
az Albany. Mr. Robbins first demanded an ap-
vrop alton OF S35 900 10 pay thirty five additional fire
men who were 10 be assigned TO duty at the per
formances Of the theatres In the city, hhocr hapVcr
7O3 Laws OF 1892. Mayor Grant declared ha' ne
had never heard Of this law, and accused the COM
mlssfoncrs Of the Fire Department Of acting In bad
faith In securing the passage OF such measure WIFI
out his knowledge or consent.
Commissioner Robbins replied with grin that
The Department thought the bill essential to the
safety OF tho people at large. and furthermore that
they should be authorized to supply similar force
for the part of the theatres well behind the
scenes where they intended TO station the force.
The Mayor refused TO vote for appropriation I'M
I'll the board could thoroughly examine the law, and
the appropriation OF Mr. Robbins laid unan-
imously.
Tho Fire Commissioner had another surprise IN
store for the Board. lie produced copy Of another
section of the act comforting upon the Fire De
partmcnt full power TO regulate the Of electricity
and the placing Of wires In all buildings Of the caty
Mr. Robbins asked for s14 900 for the establishment
Of the electrical bureau in the Fire Department
with eight inspectors. draughtsmen, stenographers.
cto. Mayor Grant denounced this act of the LeCts-
latlre az intOerable interference by one depart
ment with the affairs and plerogativ. OF another.
The Board Of Electrical Control he said. COnsti-
tinted to take of electrical matters OF all kinds in
this city, and to carry this section into effect would
be an invasion OF its powers. Controller Myers and
Presidents Barker and Arnold agreed with the Mavor.
and 1t was resolved TO ask the Corporation Counses
opinion before taking any action.
A number Of residents In West Seventy -socondst.
asked the BOARD TO repave that street. This is
Of the thoroughares under the jurisdiction OF the Park
Board and 1t agreed that the latter must repave
II out of ITS appropriation.
Commissioner Lummis. representing the Board Of
Education, secured S27 900 an additional school
site at No. l54 Frstave.: SI4.5O for a site at No.
331 West Fifty -second-st and Sle 400 for land
adjoining Grammar School No 81, IN the Twenty
second Ward Then he asked for money to advance
the projected grand new structure intended for the
headquarters Of the Board of Education Fifty ninth
st. and Park-avc., $40 for surveys, and STA for
bonngs the Site
Il TO draw the line there declared the
Mayor. 81 would like TO crafty you personally Mr..
Lummis. but my position Is uDalterable. will not
consent TO expend one cent for this building until
assured That every child in Newlork has been
provided with proper school accommodations The
request was not urged further
ItOnds TO the amount of 500 900 for putting in
new boiler and electric plant for the Metropolitan
Museum Of Art, In the north wing: were ordered.
President Danas request for 81 600 for repairing the
obelsl referred TO Controller Myers The
of $4,000 was voted for a Toulouse and wagon
shed ia Central Park The bill Of Franklin Bartlett
for 81 500 for legal services connected with Col
lego Place widening referred 10 Cooperation Coun
sci Clark.
secretary Niven, Of the Washington Bridge Com
mission who promised last December that he would
never ask for any more money If the Commissions
demands were satisfied up 10 the end Of 1891. came
forth with the ilmitabe which has distin-
gIshed the officials contested with this structure and
put IN claim for $4,000 10 meet what le called
the immediate pressing demands" 81 the Commits
sion. secretary Adec was Instructed TO file Mr..
Nven's request IN the waste basket.