New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-09
MIR. SCHIEREN'S MESSAGE.
THE MAYOR or BROOKLYN SENDS HIS
FIRST GREETINGS TO THE ALDERMEN.
ECONOMY DECLARED TO De IMPERATIVE

'D-<'''THiNA<+'
VARIOUS IMPROVEMENTS SUGGESTED.
The first message Of Mayor Scheron to the
Brooklyn Board of Aldermen presented yester-
day 1t contained succinct review OF the history
OF the city from department reports for the last
year The Mayor promises to treat Of certain
| topics fully In the future. In opening
the message he says:
Having only recently taken possession Of my Office
Il Will not be expected that am familiar In detal
with the condition OF the various departments OF the
| city government. 1t does not reasonable that
| a newly chosen official should attempt to make
complete presentation OF the work OF his prede-
cessor. therefore submit the following abstracts
of the reports from the departments Of the city
government These viii give you a general Know
edge of the ci,y's financial condition. and or the
various improvements and principal features OF Inc
work Of each department for the year lS" Inc
figures of the city debt show Increase OF sh2i-
$50 l6 in the year. The present total Is NS5'+'9 IL
The total amount in the Sinking Fund IS St9o"fi o.
The bonds and certificates issued in 1893 amount
oOs52 81. and 780i II were redeemed, making
increase Of 81 S22.S7 81.
OBSTACLES IN THE WAY OF IMPROVEMENT.
The Mayor adds on this subject:
"Obgat!cns already entered into for the purchase
OF the Wallabout Market site from the United
States Government. well as for many other pur-
poses, such as sewers, street pavements. new pub
lie schools ana the Improvement Of Liberty-st'
amounting to several million dollars. cannot be
completely stated. but enough Is known Of the APP
proximate amount to show that It Will be ser!-
Gus obstacle IN the way of new and absolutely
necessary improvements"
with due respect ali times 10 efficiency or
admins ratlon. this makes economy Imperative. ana
for the time being prevents the adoption OF IN
deriakngs OF large magnitude. The interception OF
money from license fees on IT. way to the city
treasury continues. and is pernicous in principle
and harmful in practice. Legislation will be asked
to provide for the payment Of all such moneys d.
rectly to the city treasury. and TO give to local
authorities Discretionary power to make appropra-
tons to societies ami Institutions as they may
deem entitled TO receive them.
The assessed valuations Of the city have increased
from $iS 1872 So in 1899 TO $9fOjG7j in 1929 or S22-
siiSi7. Nearly 100000 OF this increase Is in per-
sonal property value. alrnos; entirely due to the
enhanced value Of the street-ra"ay systems. over
one-quarcr Of the total personal property assessed
Is derived from this source alone.
There were permits Issued FOR %ec new buildlnSs
70 cost $l44Ssi2L Owing 10 the financial depres-
SION the number and value OF new buildings Is less
than in any year since 1854. There have been two
new enginc-houses one truckhouse ana sNty-ohe
men added 10 the fire equipment.
AN extension OF the fire limits l. 10 he desired
n order 10 decrease the danger from improperly
constructed frame buildings. and also to lessen the
rates Of insurance." the Mayor says. THE de-
partnnent VIII be thoroughly rcorganlzcd. AMI the
rules ard regulations more str.nscnt'y enforced
and made free from political influence.
INC police force now numbers i'" mon. Inc
u,u,r licenses we're increased IN he year from
ico7 +, .oH The Mayor says III" ifsil"; OF
new licenses Will he discouraged. and waef'Ver
justified. reduction In the present nui;i2'r wiz 'e
made. AMI proper Observance Of The Excise laws
will be Instituted.
WORK OK THE IEiDCE TERMINALS
In regard to the BrGgc terminus. Mayor SchleTeA
writes:
.eThe delay IT. completing tho enlargement Of me
terminal facilities has been most unfortunate and
has burr!cncd our city with heavy obligations while
up 90 the present time 20 sui 'tantei 9enrntr h%vc
couraglnr IRON, III" fac. that other ana mon *
tensv" plans AZ undo; :.,cGs'o,. "m,Ch NH ~,
adopted largely increase IL" cost. while othcr
icrg. nor;ons of oar city and should receive pre-
ceicrc- oyer all other expenditures Ihe matter
Of the extension or The Bridge terminal TO TI!ary.
ST. VIII receive further c,nsiderat!on from me- later
There were H.G2 mile OF sirceis cl'dncl ~ ~.
ycas at q co.., OF Sss.ti6 -. The MAYOR says u,ii
iho contract. now H. force VIII have - b. carried
ca; H. tbs holding them. He discusses M hrSl
feod cabs used by the trolley com2ancs Aiisr
way Commissioners in regard to the trolley cars
IN regard to the danger to he aad LIMB from the
simpy to sAy hat the matter va. have my serion-
and earnest att n'ion unul rrcAas are Devised for
the due protection o. the public"
III: coHsTIr;rio%AL CONVENTION.
In ending the message the Mayor says: THE people
Of Brooklyn viii feel special n'crest n The Con
stltu,iona! Convention which IS to meet at Albany
In May. and before which convention proposals for
Constitutional amendments % insur" the se.fgoV-
crnm,nt o. cities and fOy the separation OF local
municipal elections from general directions. are
10 be INTRODUCED l. - safe - say no better mo.e
OF Il city Crartrr be found than that 81 t..s
city; the essential principles OF which ought to -
preserved unchanged.
The necessity or relief sewers Tor tho fooled
districts mas hccu strongly urged upon my at;rn-
ton BY residents of IN, locaiti"s affected Those
People suffer substantial grievance IA this rcSai l.
some remedy tor which VIII receive my serious
ani early attention
Much Inconvenience has been experienced by the
pubic own. - IN" snort hours during which the
public oitccS have been kept open FOL business, csr"-
cially during the months from MAY TO october.
Efficiency will be increased and e. 'r my VIII be-
served by Frightening The hours t. u reasonable
extent.
Tine consolidation % some or all Of the toms
advocated by many citizens o. tho city and county.
Such consolidation would simplify our local gov
crninent and reduce the number Of salaricd oii-
the benefit the brooklyn Election laws The
usiIents %; debts, and TO the matter OF the nita
obllga lions. etc II viii receive careful attention
and thorough investigation AT tho earliest possible
day ! then more ntcliigcntly declare my
"a Is