New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-10
18th st., 18th St. and Sixth Ave
AGAINSTITS GROWING POWER.
PRESIDENT BARKER EXPOSES THE POLICY
OF THE STATE BOARD OF LUNACY.
THE CITY CARES FOR ITS OWN INSANE, YET IS
COMPELLED TO PAY FOR THE SUPPORT OF
ALMOST HALF OF THE ASYLUMS
THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
President Barker Of the Department of Taxes
and Assessments. who active In the work done
b. the Advisory Commission appointed by Mayor
Grant to investigate the subject Of the care or
the insane committed to the of this city,
was asked yesterday for his opinion on the ques-
ton Of local and State and the boasts Of the
State Commissioners, as published in The Tribune.
He said:
do not believe in the State Board of Lunacy
continues TO grow. as II has for Few years past
viii viii heeome a. power such as should be avoided
and kept clear from charities. The insane cannc,
be, TOO well cared for. whether IT be by local or
State boards. Care is their best medicine. and is
what is needed 10 restore TO them the reason That
Experience gained while serving the Advisory
Commission for the Care of the Insane, ap,
pointed by Mayor Grant demonstrated that local
care in this city not inferior to State care
when cost and accommodation were considered.
We visited State institutions and examined into
their care of the insane and the cost, The result
OF the work OF that commission will provide on
Wards Island and at Central Islip ample accom-
tain them at much less per capita cost than
erection OF these buildings has been delayed so
long. They should have been completed long be
insane in our overcrowded institutions
BY Chapters "a and 5sj Of the Laws of 1893 there
1895. tax Of one-third OF mill on each dollar OF
taxable real and personal property Of this State to
portation OF the insane under the State care, and
arbitrarily
levied for that purpose for this year.
HEAVIER TAXES FOR THE CITY.
On the basis of equalization Of real and personal
property in this city fixed by the State Board Of
Equalization ss2iS372ll are called upon to pay
Seos 279 OF share of this new tax and in add-
ton TO which we are called upon to pay for schools
canals and general J @ 80 ETC. g. or
than were called upon to pay last year.
This tax levied this year for the first time
he tt,..r f.1It la sh. alt h.
insane throughout the State other than in this
city and Kings County. In this city benefit is
derived by the insane from State care, inasmuch
maintain all the insane committed to care
direct from local taxation Under this new law we
upon to pay almost half Of the whole tax for the
State care of the insane ....,,
work lands and buildings valued at $oOOlco at least
on RisckweIfs Wards and HSrts isiands. and at
Central Islip of 5,S2 patients, at cost Of &75O0p
sna m paa n dep a per re' M e
and 5s5 Of the Laws OF 1893 are In furtherance Of
the determination OF the State Commissioners in
over TO the State the 100000 worth Of property
now devoted to the use OF the insane and then
submit TO such taxation as may be levied upon II
This city can well afford TO be proud Of its
millions annually expended in charities and II We
cheerfuIly maintain all the insane committed TO
our care and / believe can do 1t as well and as
economically the State can: ! see no reason why
the taxpayers Of this city should be called upon
to pay for the maintenance of the insane OF other
portions OF the State.
THE MUNICIPALITY SHOULD GET \ RETURN.
II the city Is called upon TO do / can sec
no reason why 1t should not get a return from the
State for the amount so expended in the interest,"
and for the benefit of the insane in the same
manner as is done In the item of a school tax.
The State Board of Lunacy thinks that this city
should turn It's millions Of property to the
State. and then be taxed for the Of the in
sane, with the perhaps permissible voice OF a
local Board OF Trustees with the lack of power
situated In precisely the position which the local
boards throughout the State complain of.
This city does great work in charities. II
spends millions annually for them and when such
men as Ebridge T. Gerry take a bold stand against
State and in favor OF local or city care OF
ne insane as one of its greatest charities. think
need should be given to the matter even II the
taxpayers do not care for the yearly Increasing
demands made upon them for State care.