The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-05-16
CASH FOR POLICE SPIES.
hoard OF INTIMATE poTEs s1I,-
600 nv FITCH'S ABSENCE.

| KID OF HNIAmhA wv hH EAAH-
600 nv FITCH'S Absence.
ne Doubts the Legality OF the Transfer
without His vote-Writes n Tart Letter
60 Roosevelt on the Lstter's Request
for - $4,000 Higher Law Miracle.
A resolution was passed recently by the Police
Board. requesting the Sinking Fund Commits
sion TO issue sl5 900 revenue bonds to exc out
this years contingent fund. copy Of the reso-
luton was sent to the Comptroller as usual, and
yesterday he sent n communication to Presi-
dent Roosevelt regarding II.
Promising that the sinking fund business 10
carried on through the Comptroller, who eS-
amines all auch requests with q Wow to COM
plying. Mr.. Fitch says that in conformity with
that authority vested In him he has searched
most carefully. but in vain, in the Consolida-
tion act for authority to grant the request.
Revenue bonds can be issued for certain specific
purposes only, and under the Emergency act
under which Col. waring secured an extra sp-
preparation to clean streets on certificate from
the Health Department. But Mr.. Fitch adds
that II the issue is asked for under the Emer-
gency act he will have to get an opinion from
tho Corporation Counsel ad vising him that the
photographing of criminals. obtaining evidence
in excise cases, and paying the expenses OF the
uniformed force incurred in freauenting dis
orderly houses constitute expenses necessarily
incurred for tho preservation Of the public
health. Then he remarks that the Board of
Estimate and Apportionment, and not the Sink
ing Fund Commission, was the Board to apply
to. any way.
The letter ends with the remark that tho re-
quest is probably based on some law unknown
to him, and reminds Mr.. Roosevelt that he, Mr..
Fitch, is always ready to be instructed in the
laws governing the city whenever Mr.. Roosevelt
and the Police Board can give him any such In
struction.
In spite Of this rather tart letter Mr.. Roose-
welt got $1,000, although not in that way. The
Board of Estimate had a meeting yesterday
morning. and In the absence Of the Comptroller
transferred to the police contingent fund that
sum from various unexpended balances.
Tho Comptroller has all along refused to sane
tion this transfer on the ground that uneKpend-
ed balances must go into the general fund.
AS this transfer is not made by tho Comptrol-
Ter, the police get the money whether he likes It
or not. BY the Consolidation act the Police
Board get ~one-twelfth of their yearly appropria-
ton each month and spend their money with
out making returns to the Comptroller's office.
Whatever money they save is kept by them
until they turn 1t over into the general fund,
but to make a transfer from one fund to an
other the authority Of the Board Of Estimate
must be got. The only question about the legal
ity OF the present transfer Is whether the unani-
The Comptroller says II is.
am not going to fight this transfer. he
said YESTERDAY, afternoon. " The actual transfer
VI .h'' h'''NN ny hoboos 4 "ho uhhbio
to be present at the meeting on account of press
of business. but had 1 been there l should have
lie not my main contention. 1t is the 50, 900
transfer from the building fund of 1892 to pay
of any appropriation. That is what l am fight
ing, and that is the case that is in the courts
now. Incidentally. when that case ia settled.
without the unanimous vote of tho Board. of
Estimate will be settled. II 1t should be decided
lied the transfer and expenditure of Sill 900 to-
day WITHOUT my consent will be in a rather ugly
The mandamus will DO argued on Tuesday of
At the meeting of the Police Board yesterday
Roosevelt suggested that they ought
to send a carload Of roses to the Board of Esti-
Now that we have this money we can re-
scind the directions about not taking any more
photographs." said Mr.. Roosevelt. .,
Commissioner Parker.
Mr.. Roosevelt said that as the funds were
graphs should be taken. and he had so notified
deputy Chief Cortright and Capt. O'Brten.
I" Was there any action taken by tho Board 2"
ask ed Mr.. Parker.
There was"
Let me see the minutes of that action"
Col. kipp. the Chief Clerk, said that no min
utes had been made of the order.
WELL" said Commissioner Parker. "the |
speaks only through It's Secretary, and I
want to see those minutes"
Col. kipp read the minutes relative to the an
nouncement made at the last meeting that un-
tain work Of the police would have to be
stopped.
order" said Mr.. Parker.
III should have been put In the minutes" re-
piled Mr.. Roosevelt. ~ ask you. Col. Kip, to
be more careful in the future In getting those |
things into the minutes"
Col. Grant here said that tho order stopping
tho taking of photographs was given the next
day At another meeting.
"There was no other meeting.'' said Mt.
Roosevelt. |
But we discussed the matter In your room,'
remarked the Colonel.
" Don't call 1t a meeting" said the President.
It was an informal discussion"
Col. Grant then said that a resolution was
passed to stop the taking of photographs. MIR.
Roosevelt said no resolution was passed.
Mr.. Grant then said he referred to tho resolu-
directing Treasurer Andrews to see the
about getting money.
Mr.. Parker-Ihe Board speaks through Its
and Issues orders through its Score
larry, and no other way. The acting deputy
chief has no right to take orders from any one
except tho Board.
Mr.. Roosevelt understand perfectly that
he Chief has no right to take orders from any
Individual Commissioner.
The Chief spoke to me about the order"
Mr.. Parker. HI said that IL such
ioers carte blanche In tho city. If there was II
you Joined in II. Col. Grant"
This order was given after a discussion
which was held subsequent to the meeting"
aid Mr.. Roosevelt. land you were not here,
Mr.. Parker"
1t was then agreed, to have the minutes
Mr.. Parker wound up by saying that, when
he only settlement of the Obscurity which the
had brought about concerning the
leight of improperly and bad policy 10 let the
classes know that they were being