New-York tribune., 1901-10-20
WIGWAM'S SALARY GRAB
.ruLIONS ADDED TO THE
BURDENS OF TAXPAYERS.
=, INCREASE FROM $36,0oO,0oO TO
sasOOaeOO IN THE LAST THREE
yEARS-AN ILLUMINATING
STATEMENT ISSUED.

-,.-sons connected with the Republican County
,o,,rn,ttee yesterday took up one Of Controller
,-ois-,s uncompleted tasks, and threw the lime
~. m Tammany's salary grabbing since
-o,rary ! lS9S Controller Coer more than
GEAR ago began issuing commentaries and
z--,-es on the Tammanized city departments.
t+ after he reached the Fire Department and
-.ya The public an insight into the peculiar
s,=cling of Commissioner Scanneu and his
"a, Marks something happened TO check the
,,o-,roller's ardor in his researches. and no
more damaging figures We're published. Yester-
,sr those who have made an exhaustive study
:, the situation issued a statement that will
.,sble the taxpayers Of New-York TO form a,
hsrter idea than they have hitherto been able
"a fornlulate with reference 10 the grab in sala-
,ss which the taxpayers have TO stand for"
The compilation by the county committees
accountants shows that the direct burden from
,.xation for salaries has increased from S36 O0O-
600 in round numbers to $4,000 600 in the three
Years ended December 81 last and that the
s-r,v Of offceholders has increased from 81 69S
TO 4o9l4
The TamUany men were discounted last
night when ihe figures were given 10 the public.
snd tried 10 belittle the effect they pro
sseed But there are 4 number Of things
that viii not down" in connection with in
rreases in the cost OF running the city for the
last three years When the Charter Commission
Members finished their estimate OF the outside
irrespective expense Of running the combined
cities. they put the gross sum at about $780,
100000 They also thought that after the de-
partmentaI machinery got so that il worked
without friction the clerical forces could take
rare OF the increased business incident to the
growth OF The city.
FILLED DEPARTMENTS TO THE LIMIT
Tammany no sooner got hold Of the complex
machine than II filed TO the limit the depart
ments with employees. and at each recurring
meeting OF the Board of Estimate asked for more
money. Hundreds. even thousands, Of clerks
have been hanging around the departments with
nothing 10 do There IS no pretence Of doing
ANYTHING By half the clerks outside the Finance
Department after l o'clock IN the afternoon. and
in the summer tine in some OF the departments
practically no work is done after the early fore
noon hours Each successive year, however, has
witnessed an entirely unwarranted increase in
The number Of employees. and laxity and laziness
have become a settled habit with thousands Of
men whose chief anxiety now is TO remain on
the rolls and draw their pay.
TIE budget has grown under Tammany eX-
traEagance by successive jumps from about
S6OO00OOO to about 100000 OO0 and if the sink
Ing fund revenues are not taken account OF. il
viii amount 10 nearly S99,OO0.OO0 for 1901, with
q prospect OF its reaching s11O,0O0,O0O OF S115,-
0900e0 next year.
The constantly increasing salary list has cut
& large figure in this rapid increase. as the
stgtensnt points out II is understood that the
CeHtEoler VIII issue alleged refutation OF
The statement early next week The plain ciu
NTH - hAT0 i'm and
WITH the enormous conceded increase OF the
annual tax budget year by year, will be able
70 form his own verdict without the aid Of
suggestions from officials who, 10 borrow an
expression from a shining light Of the Demo-
cratic Club, are caught with the goods on
them"
WHAT THE TABLES SHOW.
The tabuIated statements are as follows: