The evening world., 1894-01-08
MAYOR SCH|EREN's MESSAGE.
Fire Department to Be Reorgan-
lied and Freed from Politics.
Legislation VIII BE Asked for Some
Needed Reforms.

Mayor Schieren, of Brooklyn, sent his
first annual message to the Board of
Aldermen this afternoon. The message
is composed mainly of reports OF heads
Of departments.
Mayor Schieren embraces the opror-
tunlty to declare that the Fire Depart
ment will be reorganized and made free
from political influence. He also declares
that he will discourage the increase of
saloons, and will reduce the present
number of licenses wherever 1t is possi-
bic.
The Mayor makes an abstract from
the Comptroller's report of the condition
of the city treasury on Dec. 81. 1893.
showing tnat the net debt OF the city has
increased 1924, ,3s7.16 since Dec 81 1892.
The bonds issued In 1893 amounted to
$500 Sj2 55: bonds redeemed amounted to
N7S,0lL7i.
Concerning the purchase of the Navy
Yard lands for the enlargement OF
Wallabout Market. the Mayor SAYS that
the present state of the City Treasury
makes 1t impossible to consider such a
large undertaking at the present time.
The interception of money from license
i''S oii itS way u tIle N,lty lTpdSuTy is
said to continue, and the Mayor declares
that the system is pernicious in principle
and harmful in practice. Legislation
will be asked to provide for the payment
OF all such moneys directly to the City
Treasury, and TO give to local authorities
discretionary power to make appropria-
tons to such societies and institutions as
they may think entitled to receive them.
During the year the Department of Ar
rears has collected the sum of SS0i, ,i6l. so.
The total assessable value of the city
has increased from SiS3, 739,S29 in 1899 to
s5O6 054675 in 1898. or S22, ,3li.S4 The as
sessed value of the 3,427 new buildings
erected during 1893 is sis, 266, $50.
Three new schools were completed dur
ing the past year. seating 4,S2S pupils,
and the capacity of existing schools was
increased l.725 pupils.
The Building Department has issued
permits for 1908 new buildings, estimated
to cost Sli. 1854
The Legislature will be asked to enact
a revised building law, patterned after
the Mayor says is very much needed in
the department.
The Fire Department now numbers 7O2
men, an Increase of siXty-one during the
year The new headquarters is nearly
completed. Mayor Scheren recommends
that the fire limits be extended, so as to
lessen the rates of insurance.
THE Department will be thoroughly
tions more stringently enforced, and
made free from political influence" says
the Mayor.
The police force now numbers ] ,539 men.
The Police Commissioner recommends
that the bridges be turned over to the
City Works Department
The excise licenses In force Jan. l..
1929; were 4,oO7; in force, Dec. l, 1893,
4034: an Increase of 27 during IL months.
The general health of the city has
been good. the death rate not exceeding
~ l. No. ..-t.~.
timated the population of the city on
oct. l, 1893. at 999.Oi6. At this ratio, the
city. must now contain over 100000 in
habitants.
The expenses for the Park Depart
ment for eleven months were 1878, 1858. .1S.
The Park Purchase Fund" remains as
1t was, at 6s,SoS.s9.
The proceedings to acquire all the
property needed for the Liberty street
extension of the big bridge have been
completed with one exception. and all
the the property. with three exceptions has
Mayor schieren deplores the delay in
completing the enlargement of the
bridge. terminal facilities. He says he
The report of the Department of City
Works shows that 1t had n balance Nov.
TO- 1893, of $30S, ,74O.96.
The taN-levy accounts at the close of
BILE in the sum of S2,533, 1852. and a net
balance of s454 1885, for the purpose of
liqudating claims. unpaid bills, &c.
The total mileage of streets reported
cleaned during the year, to Nov. 80,
lS93 inclusive, was 14,G5l 5l7-10O0 miles, at
Il cost Of $685., ,616.45.
The report of the Electrical Subway
Commissioners shows that during the
year there was an increase of overhead
wires of ] ,l07 miles: underground, 2,1lG.
I'm regard to the danger to life and
limb from the operation of the trolley
cars, / desire at the present simply to
say that the matter will have my serious
and earnest attention until means are de-
vised for the due protection of the pub
lie" says the Mayor
on the subject of consolidation he says
that 'the consolidation OF some or all
Of the towns of Kings County with the
city OF BrooklyE would simplify our local
government and reduce the number of
salaried officials, and would also secure
to the whole county the bench, of the
Brooklyn Election laws. The subject is
not free from difficulties, relative to ad-
justment of debts, and to the matter
OF the limitations imposed by law upon
the city in contracting obligations, SC.
1t will receive careful attention and
thorough investigation ut the earliest
possible day. 1 can then more intelli-
gently declare my views in regard to
such pOnSDliUDt ion -