New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-05
WAR OVER POLICE EXPENSES
"a LIVELY SESSION OF THE BOARD or
ESTIMATE
CONTROLLER F1TCHs OPPOSITION TO A TRANsfEi
OF MoNEY-HIS COLLEAGUES VOTE A"A
HIM-A RESOLUTION WHICH THE MAY


OR REFUSES TO put.
Controller Fitch and Police Commissioner An
Arews had their Iong-expected tournament al
the meeting of the Beard Of Estimate Ees'e'ua'
The question in controversy was III REGARD ~ WV
ansfer Of 80 4l6 So expended under the direcuoii
of the Police Board in securing evidence asa'ns'
gambling houses. disorderly resorts, liquor S'op'
and other places where violations OF the Id" "ie
sajd to have occurred The Controller at Prev
Gus session characterized the action OF the PONCE
BOARD In having such bills Illegal. This state
;ment brought out a volumrous reply from 'om-
missioner Andrews yesterday. which had the SANE
ton of the Board of Police Commissioners ~
took the expeditions elocutionist MI. Adee seer
ttary of the Board more than half an hour TO READ
Mr. Andrews's document. 1t reviewed the history
Of the contest which had been going on between
the Finance and Police departments regaro'hs .'ie
tPolice Commissioners attempts 10 get money ~.
purposes Of information and investgatoh' anu
sought 10 fix upon the Contro"er the respo"eio'
iy for embarrassing the police service in its war
fare crime.
MIR. FITCH REPLIES TO MIR. ANDREWS.
After Mr. Andrews's statement had been pre-
ssnted Mr. Fitch replied that the author OF the
6ocument was full of nsinformation. and that
thu figures submitted were erroneous he was
mt however, he said. ready 10 reply to them
until he had made careful investigation
"But that is neither here nor there Mr.. Mayor
~
this Board is so important that having acted one
1vav once he may not act differently at another
time Perhaps l have voted. as the commissioner
saws for similar transfers. but that Is no reason
why | should do Now. say. mea culpa
and I oppose IT, Besides, may have reformed.
Nobody has patent on reform, and there are az
many ways Of reforming as there are cures Tor
rheumatism Then. again. may have changed my
mind and II / have don't think it Is an original
official action either.
Mr. Fitch said that the fact that former Police
Boards had done similar things did not justify the
present incumbents. He declared he would oppose
the matter first and last. because he was advised
that TO vote 1t through would leave the Board open
. TO Indictment To bring the matter to CLOSE
Mr. Fitch said, he would offer the following resou-
ton:
Resolved. That this Board will now and hereafter
refuse to recognize by any transfer or money under
Section 2O7 OF the Consolidation Act the LEGALITY of
any Indebtedness ATTEMPTED to- be incurred oE any
Consojdation Act. and 49, ,o.s. -, .,,, do,ar,-
ment in which for any reason a transfer of appro-
Pration may be deemed expedient,. must, In CON
sodation Act and prior to any attempt to incur
any liability or to charge the city With any debt
each specific purpose apply to this Board in writing
for such transfer stating the reasons reasons, why the
poses and objects OF the proposed additional exen-
dture. in the same manner as the details are pre-
scented to this Board when the appropriation for the
year is determined.
sent to each head of department, Board city
officer charged with the duty of exPend.ng or IN
raised by taxation in this city.
mr. BARKER SUPPORTS THE POLICE BOARD.
President Barker of the Tax Department. took
exceptions the legal decisions which the Controller
cited in support of his position. and argued that they
were not applicable TO the present case First AS
sstant Corporation Counsel Dean. who. in the alb
of Corporation Counsel Scott sat for the latter
m he President Bankers inter-
probation of the law and brought out the fact that
by recent amendment of the Consolidation act the
Police and the Public Works departments ex-
cepted from the rule requiring all heads OF depart
era fund at end of each year. President Barker
said that long experience with the workings of the
paTment Whch |as Charged With the protection
OF the life and property of the people OF the city, and
the Health Department. which was looked to to
guard the city against disease and death. were not
to be held TO too strict responsibility. ne iookea
upon the Police Boards expenditure as matter OF
emergency. and although always strict construc-
zionist in voting the public money ne must amer
With the Controller in this case.
President Jeroloman offered an amendment ex-
emping tee Police and Public works Depart m el
carried the Controller alone voting against II.
The Controller offered a resolution to require the
heads of all departments henceforth TO apply 10
the Board before mourning any expense not covered
by the appropriation This was passed ~
served on head Of departments ,
Then Mr. Fitch said he was advised that 1t would
take unanimous vote to pass the transfer
Acting Corporation Counsel Dean said that all IL
a
Mr.. Fitch then said that the Police Board had
withdrawn its frs for ss Tba psns
Ter was ordered the Controller voting No"
A RESOLUTION ON EXCISE ENFORCEMENT.
The Controller promptly offered resolution with
a preamble which quoted the remarks of the
Mayor in his las; message. disappearing system
Of espionage in the enforcement Of the law The
preamble also quoted the speeches OF Carl Schurz
and the Rev DR.. Ransford. reported in The
~ law Albany
February q, declaring that. despite the strenuous
efforts Of the Police Board. the Sunday closing law
was not enforced. The resolution was as follows:
concyr In the views of His Honor the Mayor and
other gentlemen above quoted and respectfully re-
quest tne sGa'e axoendiimres Of the public moneys
given into their hands by this Board
President Barker said IF the extracts which
the Controller has put into the preamble to his
resolution have been published. as 1t appears, In
The Tribune they have already been brought to
the notice Of the intelligent portion OF the com
muny and h see sSs no Necessity lot any "
The Mayor arose and said quietly: Ihe BOARD
:How about my resolution" asked the Controller
loudly. ~
"Why not?' asked Mr.. Fitch:
Because ii is not pertinent" was the answer
at refers to the expenditure OF public moneys
Il won't put it before the Board" declared the
well" said Mr.; Fitch. rising, Il want the sec
rotary to take II down."
the record the Mayor said 4 won't put it,
The Controller protested against the Mayors rul-
Ing. and asked to have his objection Incorporated
In the minutes
Mr.. Fitch repeated that he should refuse to pay
the sums covered by the transfer. manfestly
Illegal
The consideration OF the matter of the final dis
position OF garbage and street refuse postponed
until Friday at p. m.
PRESCRIPTIONS FOR EYEGLASSES
TIE Optical Society OF this city is said to be try
Ing to secure the passage of law by which the |
sale Of eyeglasses prescriptions OF ocul.ss would
be limited to opticians who hold the socety's dplo-