The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-06-05
COMMISSIONERS OF ACCOUNTS.
In Twelve Years They Have Cost New York
$500, OOO-The Returns.

In Twelve Years They Have Cost New York
$500, OOO-The Returns.
About a dozen years ago an addition was made
to the number Of New York city departments in
the appointment of two Commissioners Of Ac
counts whose ostensible function it was to act
as auditor Of such records as did not in the
ordinary course of events pass through the
Comptroller office. The Auditing Bureau in
the Comptroller's office, one Of the oldest in the
city's history, was intrusted with the duty of
auditing, revising and settling" all tho city's
accounts, but instances occasionally arose
whereunder this was impracticablc, for the
Auditing Bureau could not always supervise its
its own transactions to public advantage. There
fore two Commissioner OF Accounts were ap-
pointed as aids to the Mayor. subject to appoint
ment and removal by him.. and available at any
time for such Investigation as he might deem
necessary into the operations of any depart
ment-theC omptroller's office particularly.
bureau included two items only outside OF the
pay of the Commissioners-rent and the salary
month. From that time on until 1888 the ex-
penses of the Department Of Accounts grew
places established and new obligations incurred.
but no practical results were shown from these
disbursements. although the department at that
In the last half of the term of Mayor Giiroy
some effort was made TO utilize the services OF
them investigate not the operations Of the va
rlous city departments but the proceedings of
the Centennial Commission, which had before
it such n multiplicity OF vouchers and papers
that their mere assortment and classification
was n matter OF some expense. There were at
that time two Commissioners at So, 900 each,
four examiners at $3.50 a month each. three as
Distant examiners az 1925 each. two at $l16.66
and four at 800. There was a stenographer, q
messenger. and two deputy examiners and
large, expenses for Stationery. materials, and
printing, and in a report made to Mayor Gilroy
on Sept 4, 1894. these commissioners said:
An increase OF appropriation is asked over
that OF last year because OF q constantly greater
demand upon this office. More money Is needed
to carry on this work. 1t is as true as it was q
for an increased appropriation the Commission
ers OF Accounts SAID, Each year demonstrates
that tho work OF this Office is Increasing"
The next yoRr, when Col. Strong became
Mayor. the Legislature to aid In tho work of
Investigation authorized a still further appro-
p%riation. bringing up the expenses of the Com
missioners of that year to 1882. 500. but no one
has ever been able to find any special dis
coveries made by these Commissioners justify
ing SO large an outlay. The next year $65. 600
was expended for the Commissioners of Ac-
counts. but they continued to be unable to make
any discoveries in the line of mAladministra-
tion. and they were denounced in the resolutions
adopted last October in Tammany Hall as :" re-
form detectives who could unearth nothing"
Since Jan. l there have been new Commission
ers OF Accounts and a generally new staff of in
vestigators. without. however, any improve
mont in respect to results, and on May 8 this
communication Of the two Commissioners to tho
Sinking Fund said:
Owing to the large force of employees In this
office. we lind our present quarters too con-
tracted to permit the proper carrying on of the
examinations we are continually engaged upon"
In twelve years the Commissioner Of Accounts
office has cost the people Of New York more
than half a million dollars. There 10 no record
cd instance Of any practical gain arising from
| its ODRFati0na.