New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-16

Expressing an opinion to the careful consideration
| of the proposed Revision Commission.
| II the term of the Mayor is to be shortened to
two years, we urge that his eligibility for re-eec-
| ton be restored.
Regarding the boroughs and borough presi-
dents the report has this to say:
! Inasmueh as the terms of office of the borough
presidents cannot now be curtaied, we do advise
that their powers be increased in one regard They
ments. but have no vote therein except upon mat
fnasmuch as they are Officers elected by the peo-
pie, we regard it Of great Importance that they
Especially IN view Of the fact that in such matter
as the Ramapo Water CS9mpa3nys contract which
each borough therein, the ruling was made that
Immediate passage of an amendment to Section 4lO
OF the charter by simply striking out the last
ity TO matters exclusively relating to their own
borough.
CONDUCT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT BAD
The committee handles the Police Department
in this
The conduct Of the present Police Department Of
the city of New-York is unquaifedly bad, Not only
are the laws against pool rooms, gambling houses.
P9 ngd SHOPS, EXCISE TG3adtions dance 9als and
forced in such a way as to be ridiculously inef-
offences of personal derection in the way of drunk
enness absence from post inattention to duty etc,
as almost to be an encouragement and not deter
certain laws has Inevitably resulted in laxness to-
ward all criminal offences. Robberies from the
alarming degree and tbe efeco1 Of tfes r III d
and the reeoyerv of nToperfJ ave- eIes5ii de
creased during the last two years
In the judgment of the committee this condition
is not due to the law governing the Police Depart
ment but the administration thereof for which the
Mayor; the Commissioners and the Chief re-
sponsible, and behind them the leader and the
long as the control Of the Poliee pepament
Ike that Of the other departments. is ntrusted to
opinion Of your committee, whether the Police
is NH
fixed now as it ever can be by law. and have
no police legislation to recommend. When, at the
direct instanse e Of the gambling ana pool selling
trreTfIIy, o5cers 6a Pave peen pounded captains
expect any other administration Of such laws than
exist
After saying that the settled policy of this city
has been municipal ownership and control of it's
water supply, the report continues:
The community was shocked and excited by the
that og to put through f3Tty
Of S00,oO00OO, with a private water company, had
% sucSeeded IN the opinion front of t This a
lshed policy of the city ought not to be made. ex-
consideration and with entire publicity.
Referring to the contention of the Commits
sioner of Water Supply that he has, with the
assent of the Board of Public Improvements
entire authority to make such a contract, and
quoting from the decision of the Appellate Di
vision of the Supreme Court in which this con-
tention was sustained, the report says:
In view of this Interpretation of the court and
the suggestion that the Legislature should make
this matter clear and as 1t is quite possible that
ting to the lowest bidder but should be the assent
the various boards charged with similar respon-
rcity. we suggest the immediate passage Of an act
amending Section AZ OF the charter by ineorporat,
ing therein the provisions OF Section Az as to the
power of condemnation of the source Of water sup
provements the Board of Estimate and Appor-
tionment and the authority OF the Municipal As
members elected thereto.
The committee recommends that the chapter
which prevents Brooklyn from going into Suffolk
County for water be repealed and says that the
best engineering talent agreed that there is an
abundance of good water in Suffolk County that
could be taken without detriment to the citizens
of said county"
FAVORITISM IN BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT
Turning it's attention to the Buildings Depart
rnent the committee says:
Here again we find grave, defects Of administrae
the present government corrupt, pull and favor1t-
was lodged in the Department we find 1t exercised
for the benefit of favored individuals and against
was produced before US disclosing bad and danger
whicb could only mean improper inspection due
either to inefficiency or corruption
After referring to the fat contracts that were
given to favored freproofng concern the re-
port says:
We do not report these instances IN detail, be
cause for such evils again point out there is
no legislative remedy. Some discretion must be
lodged in Department having control of the build
city of New-York If that discretion be abused. or
If officials inefficient. incompetent cor
Tup the remedy Is not to be d. at Aanyj but
the criminal authorities or the people at the polls.
The committee says OF the new building code;
First-It appears to have continued the power Of
appeal from the ruling of the Commissioner to a
perpetuatng body consisting of delegates appointed
missioner of Buildings and the Chief of the Fire
Department. This provision is unqualihedy bad.
the repeal Of the present provision for the APP
, pointment Of a Board of Examiners In the first
and no responsibility their conduct and actions
therefore be fixed uoon responsible govern
private organizations. and, second some of them
continue their private professional work and ad-
grounded suspicion of special influence and power.
Second-The discretionary power vested in the
sections and in such a way that it practically
bd1 th as N Se a cv n a9a hue h
the discretion of the head of the Buildings Depart
For these reasons recommend that the
Of &ew-York be referred to the proposed Revision
! Commission, that the authority to appoint such
a Commission should be conferred upon the Gov
/ ernor
WOULD ABOLISH THE COUNCIL.
About the Municipal Assembly the report says:
The weight of testimony before the committee
satisfied 1t that no benefit had accrued to the city
is matter which essentially concerns the frame of
government, your committee refers it to the pro-
posed Charter Revision Commission. with the ex-
preston of its opinion that the Municipal Assem-
bly, should consist of but one body which in order
to retain certain ancient rights and privileges of
the city Of New York should be the Board of Alder
men rather than the Council.