New-York tribune., 1901-04-14
ALL DENOUNCE CHARTER.
HEARING On THE REVISED INSTRU-
NENT BEFORE THE MAYOR.


charter rallied more than hundred strong at
he City Hall at 10 O'Clock yesterday forenoon
md many Of them had opportunity 20 give
,he,r reasons for desiring changes in the bulky
;,s,rument which for about nine days has been
- the hands of the Mayor The Mayor's pep
merry temper was again in evidence and he used
.he occasion to declare that New-York is the
mast moral city in the world and that its de-
tractors were, in a particular instance, liars.
Among those present when the hearing began
were former Assistant Corporation Counsel
Frank Sperry, of Brooklyn: Thomas ] Crombie
-enresenting the East River Mill and Lumber
r-onpany: Councilman Eugene A Wise Horace
e Dresser. Commissioner of Education Brook
lyn: Mrs. James c. Scrimgeour. Mrs. Camden
C. Dixie president Of the Women's Health Pro-
tective Association. of Brooklyn: Mrs Martin
Gay and Mrs. Samuel H. Brown, directors of the
Prison Associations of Brooklyn: Mrs William
Emerson, jr, Of the Prison Reform Association
of the State: John p. Leo. president of the
Builders League, and Lewis Hardy Judson
Lawson and J. ]. Van Note representing the
lumber trade: President Robertson of the Board
of Education Of Brooklyn, and many others.
The first speaker John P. Leo. He read
statement adopted by his league which
demned the provisions of the charter pertaining
TO the building trades. He mentioned the split
ting up Of the Buildings Department into five
bureaus under the supervision of the borough
president He also condemned the sectarian
school provisions for the control Of the hospitals.
we have taken the greatest interest in af-
fairs pertaining to concern. and find that
affairs have become very loose said Mr. Leo.
I'VE find that the Governor has signed the Tene-
nent House bill. in spite of our wish to have
him wait a few days, and he treated our request
-rifh Leo Cke6
ment made by Mr.. Baldwin that prostitution
was rampant in the tenement houses.
That is direct lie"' interrupted the Mayor.
This city has the highest standard of mo-
rality."
The second speaker was William j. Fryer. a
member Of the Board of Fire Examiners. He
requested that the present section pertaining TO
tenement houses be retained, and the new pro-
visions vetoed. Mr.. Fryer bitter against
the proposed change in the department of Build
lngs and the great increase in inspectors and
policemen-l90 of the former and 100 new po-
licernen. He said the expense would be at least
s560000 year. Mr. Fryer brought out the fact
that the tenement house law goes into effect
Immediately. while the changes in the Buildings
Department would not go into effect until Janu-
sry l. thus leaving eight months for the present
Buildings Department to carry out the new law.
If the present department can handle the work
under the law for eight months, cannot
II do il for eight years?'' asked Mr.. Fryer. He
reviewed the establishment and growth OF tho
Buildings Department, from its creation by
Mayor Grant to the present. He closed by say
ing that he represented most of the architects
and builders Of the city.
Commissioner Of Education Freifeld, Of Brook
lyn, was the next speaker. He spoke against
the educational chapter of the charter. He said:
Although we know much about the schools We
told in Albany that they knew IT all, and
they threw the suggestions offered into the
waste baskets Mr.. Freifeld attacked the pres
ent school system IN that the School Superin-
tendent is in complete control. Mr.. Freifeld
went into detail about the powers of Mr.. Max
we'll the Superintendent of Schools.
DR.. Harrigan, School Commissioner OF Brook
lyn, was the next speaker. He openly attacked
Superintendent William H. Maxwell and said
that in order to secure proper redress at va
rious times the courts had to be resorted to in
stead Of the superintendent. DR. Harrigan was
followed BY Charles E. Robertson, president Of
the Brooklyn School Board.
The population Of Brooklyn is against the pro
posed change in the charter" said Mr. Robert
son Ideas in that charter might do very well
ior a country such as Turkey but for New
YORK City they will not do. This school govern
naent Is made by few people. The people were
gwen tWenty-four hours notice 10 appear and
you must have We have not received thing
we nave asked for, but have received many
ualnss We did not want. The catering to all
oeas OF people in the schools TO force this chan
Ter through, is a case of inVidious COMPARISONS
For myself, if this bill becomes a law | end NV
work as a school commissioner. We don't want
a HOAdIcny We want something that all can
have word il"
Miss Draper, representing the Public Educa-
oh oion ASSOCIATION, spoke briefly against the
chapter on education
Dr. E. F. Smith. who said he appeared as A
pdithl, came TO speak against the clause per-
'alhs an 10 city appropriations for private schools
believe in sectarian orphan asyurns but in
Inc others do not" said the Mayor
Cnarles L. Hcnschel was the next sneaker
ne spoke against the revised charter in general
11-e MAY or ana Henry f. Miller, who spoke
concerning the provisions for acquiring land
snlered INTO long controversy as 10 the un-
oeTslanding Of that chapter.
You cry out against the injustices done the
people by the city" said the Mayor but 7 find
.hat for each one you will see a hundred where
rae clty is done injustice by the peopIe
Every public Improvement is begun by some one
VINO has property the value of which he wishes
Henry Markus. Of the Real Estate Owners
association, complimenting the Mayor
Don't throw bouquets at me-" said Mt Van
Mr.. Markus urged the vetong of the charter
ing: ''i' SaS
tnere net, Mr.. Mayor?'
-, Don't ask questions" answered the Mayor
week
Lawrence Vier secretary of the Tenement
nouse Cornrnis ission, spoke in favor of the tene-
lnent house CHAPTER which had been attacked
ihe Mayor asked Mr. Villier about statement
81 MI Baldwin, that the tenement houses were
largely Used for prostitution.
IL is false" shouted Mr.. Viliier. II at
aloany, and it was not said" Mr.. Leo. who
made the statement quoting Mr.. Baldwin,
stepped forward and said it was true and md, he
would bring witnesses to prove IT. Mr.. Villier
Then subsided