New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-07-23
TOO MUCH MONEY SPENT.
THERE WILL BE A DEFICIENCY IN THE
STREET CLEANING; DEPARTMENT.
CITY OFFICIALS. HOWEVER. DENY THAT IT WILL
BE so GREAT a REPOETED-THE NEW

CITY OFFICIALS. HOWEVER. DENY THAT IT WILL
BE so GREAT a REPOETED-THE NEW
COMMISSIONER ASSUMES CHARGE
william ;. Andrews. the new Street Cleaning Com
missioner, formally assumed his responsible duties
yesterday. Mr.. Andrews said that he knew nothing OF
The condition OF the office. Of the condition 81 IT'S
hh'hces lie did not know even that his OilC'
was on the first floor Of the Stewart Building. and
not on the fourth as formerly. lie was about 10
ascend on the elevator TO look for II on enc Of the
upper stories when reporter, Observing the Com
msSionerS error took him In hand and piloed him 10
the apartment opening into ChambersSt where Zig
Tom Brennan gave his lucid explanations Of street
cleaning law and wept over the muii;arious reasons
which made New-lork such dirty city.
Mr.. Andrews did not regard himself IS much Of n
subject for c0igratulaon. After looking over som"
OF the documents which Mr.. brennan had left Enacted
on. he said that ne wished he was back in the
Excise Board. This wish Mr.. Andrews reiterated and
emphasized after making tour Of the department.
There was published yesterday a series of figures to
prove that cXCOmmissOner Brennan had been spend
ing money at the rate OF s3I36.74G Il year, while
his appropriation for 1893 was S2,20O,oOO. The
figures would indicate that II the Street Cleaning De
partmcnt's money spent at The rate from
July to December 81 at which it had been going
from January l TO June 30 the the work
ing appropriation would be S936,74o H. indicating a
deficit OF nearly 81 900 600 These figures show a
monthly rate Of expenditure OF S11O,270 80 for sweep
ing and S7G,719 81 for car,ing As the Department
has balance OF only about $S27 900 to pay the work
Ing expenses Of the last SIX months Of the year i, IS
plain that rugged rcrcnchment is necessary
If enormous deficit IS to be avoided. This con
diton is not admitted by the city officials.
Mayor GlrOy, speaking Of the reports Of cX-Com-
missioner Brennans lavish Use Of money, said Ac-
cordng to the story circulated the deficiency in the
Street Cleaning Department wouid aggregate over
5000 900 at the end Of the year. This is simply
prepostcrous. If the Department should be run until
December 81 at the same rate 1t is going now, the
deficiency would not exceed $4,000. have kept my
self acquainted with the financial condition of the
Department. and though Commits sioncr Brennan spent
a great deal OF money during the winter and early
spring. believe every penny was necessary to make
the streets dcan.'
The Mayor exhibited statement OF the street
Departments finances which hal been prepared for
him week ago. 1t showed a probable deficiency in
the carng appropriation at the end Of the year Of
FOODS So, and in the appropriation for final DIS
position of material OF S99,j77 49, The other fur dS
show a probable surplus Of S90074 46 This would
make a net deficiency of $lOo,42l 50. The Mayor
thought however, that the deficiency for final ais
position would be reduced by removing most OF the
street refuse hereafter to Rikcrs Island 1t costs
$73 n day to get n dumping to sea, and only 80
to unload each at Rikcr's Island The estimated
saving is S2542G 90. which would cit the depart
ment's deficiency to ga 394 Sc.
Mr.. Andrews had conference with the Mayor
before the Iattcts departure for Maine yesterday
lie promised the MAJOR to exercise proper economy
and prevent deficiency If possible.
In relation 10 The statement regarding III" ALLEGED
deficit the new Commissioner said e understand
that than a pro rata proportion OF the money
appropriated 10y the city for the use OF TIE depart
ment for the current year has been expended bu'
I do moi think the estimated deficiency j. anything
near as large II Is made 10 appear. shall lose
no time ia fsmiiarizing myself with all the dnrs
of the Office, shall strive meet all il" n"c's
stiles of the occasion. No changes will De made until
| have gained familiarity with the work.
William J. Lyon. auditor OF the Finance Depart
ment said Yesterday that the published statements
showing ovcrxpendmc, In The street Cleaning ID
partInont Of nearly ~ 100000 We're ias" ana ms
leading in all respects. They hay" put In cipher
TOO much h. said The deficiency VIII probably
not exceed SlO0,OOO most Ol when was caused DN
the heavy snowfall, Of last winter