New-York tribune., 1901-01-20
LAWS TO SAVE CITY MONEY
ODELL, PLATT AND DUNN CONFER,
ABOUT MUNICIPAL EXPENSES. 4
THE PRUNING KNIFE LIKELY TO BE AP-
Piled IN THE FORM OF LEGIsLA- !,
TIoN-CoLoNEL DUNN SUGGESTS 3
CUTTING SALARY LIST


likely to be many millions of dollars less next
year. Mayor Van Wyc<s plant that mandatory
legislation is what makes municipal government
cost much. backed up it is by similar
assertion from Controller Coler, is likely to
bear fruit this year through radical pruning OF
city expenditures by prompt Legislative action
at Albany.
At conference yesterday of Governor Odel.
State Chairman Dunn and Senator Platt, one
OF the subjects discussed was the need of reduc-
ing taxation in this city, as well in the State
State Chairman Dunns estimate that Gov
ernor Odells retrenchment programme will re-
suit in saving $1O00OO0 to the State this year.
and the Coloners suggestion that the blue PEN
Gil" applied 10 this city's salary list would re-
suit in saving $4.oo0000 year, excited wide
spread comment yesterday, and came UP for
discussion at the conference.
Senator Platt and Colonel Dunn were unusual
ly reticent about what was discussed when
they We're seen after the conference, but 1t was
learned that the pruning knife would probably
be applied to expenditures in this city. Sem
ator Platt said thai the recommendations by
the Charter Revision Commission which COM
mended themselves TO the judgment Of the
Legislature would be carried into effect by the
introduction of special bills
number of the city Senators and Assembly
men are considering measures by which they
can make economy records for themselves, and
1t IS expected that before the end of this week
a number Of bills will be introduced effecting
radical reductions in places and salaries in the
city departments Just what department is
first to be attacked for retrenchment could not
be learned last night, but there seems now to
be settled conviction that if Governor Odell
and his advisers are justified in retrenchng in
State expenses the Legislature will be just as
fully justified in effecting economies in the city.
as in either case it is the taxpayer whose inter
ests are to be cons sarved
The city budget for 1901 amounts to nearly
S1oO0000OO. and the tax rate has been kept
down only by raising valuations enormously.
Colonel Dunn's estimate that $40O0oo0 could
be saved without crippling the city government
is regarded highly interesting and II is be-
;ieved that Colonel Dunn's views are shared by
Governor OdeIl.
Inasmuch Mayor Van Wyck and Controller
Coler show disposition TO throw much of the
blame for the enormous burden of taxation OF
the city on the State II said last night that
Governor Odel was strongly Of the opinion that
the Republican Legislature should demonstrate
that radical economies are possible for the city
as we'll for the State.
The appropriations made for the expenses Of !
the city government in 1899 were 1893 500 0S2 O3. |
and in 1900 they $50 7TS.9T2 As The
budget for 1901 has been pushed up $7,000.000 or
Te'bp'F'''' ''N'N' ''NNO
100000 mark.
Republicans do not concede that Controller
Coler is exactly right when he says that so per
cent OF the expenditure is due to mandatory
legislation, especially the increase for this
year has been so large. They say that every
issue of The City Record" shows long lists Of
city employees whose wages are advanced by
Tammany Commissioners, and that there is
nothing mandatory about this feature of the
IL +1xo
numbers there are something like $4,000 en-
ployes on the city's payrolls it is not hard to
understand why the budget increases with large
advances in salaries from year to year. AS a
matter Of fact. il is perfectly well known that
the city's government is so cumbersome that
plundering is easily hidden by red tape.
Taxpayers are more and more conscious Of
heavier bills without commensurate public i'm
provements. and they reason that if the money
does not go for improvements much OF II must
go for increases in salaries.
Governor Odell reached the city from New
burg about II 80 a m. and after making call
on a friend downtown returned to the Fifth
Avenue Hotel for a conference with Colonel
Dunn and Senator Platt. This lasted until about
$50, when the Governor started for Albany.
Senator Platt was seen. and in answer TO
questions said
Various matters were talked about the new
Congress districts and charter revision among
them. Special bills will be introduced to carry
into effect certain of the Charter Revision Com
missions recommendations"
rs the report true that the police bill is to
be so amended that the Governor is not to have
the power Of remova?' the Senator was asked.
NO" said he, that is an absurd report. The
bill Is to be passed substantially in its present
shane with the power of removal vested in the
Governor and Mayor There has been change
in the programme.
70 the Bureau Of Elections bill. On National
topics he said that the chances Of the passage
Of the Nicaragua Canal bill were not rosy and
that there would be something Of a fight over
the Ship Subsidy bill. Mr.. Platt expects to re-
turn to Washington this morning.
coal SHEDS FOR WEST ALBANY.