New-York tribune., 1896-07-28
MR.. WOODRUFF APPROVES THE PLAN.

tDry tory. y Oo''''"'' ~
MR. WOODRUFF APPROVES THE PLAN.
Park Commissioner Woodruff is a thorough be-
lever in the clause which provides for only one
head to a department.
You can say that believe most empha tical.y
IN that policy said he 1T is in my opinion the only
one for a successful administration OF Departmental
affairs In my experience "a Park Commissioner
have become thoroughly lmbued with the ldea ina !
one man can Accomplish Infinitely more work and
with less friction than two or more men can OF
instance. | am member OF the Shore toad Cenl ON
quently We are compelled 20 waste an afternoon or
an evening discuss and decide upon various STAKES
OF the work many Of them trivial ana WhIch s 7ln a
gle commissioner could decide upon with much eo
trouble and annoyance 70 me Saner , par zone
into them deep enough to express an SPnoSS S-ou hs
say. however that | think Mr. DE Witt. from Ills
long experience. Is just the man for the task.
MR. BENJAMIN DOES NOT LIKE IT.
City Clerk Joseph Benjamin by reason OF his
long experience in politics and an Official Is as
familiar perhaps. with the practical workings OF
the charter Of the city of Brooklyn as any one
Joe usually knows what he wants. and ne does
not like the proposed charter.
1T places too much power in the Mayor. said ,
Mr. BENJAMIN with "a Eo6S ES;saayn dTai branches one
10 act as a check upon the other Ike the Senate
and the Assembly Of our State Legislature INC Inc
ten years OF Democratic misrule of Brooklyn were
due TO the very fact that there was too mucn
power vested in the Mayor. Democratic Mayors MAYORS
perpetuated themselves in power, and the people
never is anything lost by keeping the government
Of a city State close to the people.
BARROW on THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
CLAUSE
Deputy Fire Commissioner Clarence A. barro"
was seen by Tribune reporter yesterday at Fire
Headquarters in Jay-st.. and asked 10 express his
opinion on the clause in the Greater Newly YORK
charter drafted. which provides that there sha'
be only one Fire Commissioner for the muhicpai-
ity He said II do not think that the scheHle %
having one Fire Commissioner Is practical unless
deputy commissioners were appointed In each Dor
ough each with equal powers in his borough. Ihen
the head Commissioner would be a mere hgurehead.
The best plan would he to have a full FIRE com
missioner for each borough who would nave iuii
power to act and would be accountahle only 10
the Mayor who could dismiss him only for NAL
feasance Each Commissioner should have dep
NV 10 act with him. with circumscribed powers.
The Fire Department Is different from any OF the
other municipal departments. IN that II Is essen
TALLY department OF emergency, an 's oui wUiN
must be directed RAPIDLY by enc VINO nas Hor ~ W.
edge Of the situation at his finger tips II ne
work is not done immediately ana 49,
might az well not be done AT az i>rODNs , II, bays
than any Of the other boroughs. would hot nav
,nnnity some one could 20 10 the deputy and have
something done which would be Tor the speciatI
Commissioner in New-York should go and anpul q
his subordinates action. This would he more llane
and dismissal. and would cause friction in the De-
partment Such friction would be fatal 70 ,e me
its usefulness. one Fire Commissioner In New
York would be too far away from the scene or ms
duties In other borOughs deputy would ho'
have time for trips 10 y w-York and lengthy con
sultations with a man who Is not completely "a
rnliar with every feature OF the 1re district III
question. ~, . r,,..
When asked how he would favor Board OF FIRE
Commissioners for the Greater New YORK, the same
system as f. used in New-York at present, MI
Harrow was emphatic in his condemnation OF thdl
system His reasons for not favoring such sys-
tenn were essentially the same as just mentioned
namely that friction would be likely IN such
fire board which friction in matters or discipline
and action in the Department would prove latai
He also thought that the efficiency OF the Depart
rnent would he impaired by "iog-rOllinR among
the members of the Board. The system or IRE
management then. which Mr.. Barrow indorses IS
that each borough should have department WIN
executive heads. and accountable only 10 the
Mayor the system OF government in each Dor
rough 10 be essentially the same as that now IN
force in Brooklyn. and which has proved so sue
cessful OF course each borough Will nave us
own chief engineer. whether the plan outlined ny
Mr. De Witt the one favored by Mr. BARROW
goes into effect.
Deputy Commissioner Barrow speaks about these
matters after three years OF practical service IN
the Fire Department. chief Engineer James Dale
and Assistant Chief J. +. Murray. who have been
connected with the Department for years were
present when Mr. Barrow gave his opinions, ana
fully agreed TO what he said In every particular.
They all expressed the opinion that this clause in
the charter. providing for only one FIRE Commls-
sione- would be- changed when presented TO fire
authorities for opinions IFS practicability.