New-York tribune., 1902-03-05
MAYORS BILL AMENDED.
GOVERNOR ODELL AND REPUBLICAN,
LEGISLATORS NOW THOUGHT
TO FAVOR 1T
To FAVOR 1T.
IBT TELEGRAPH TO The TRIBUNE

III faNOh H.
lBT TELEGRAPH The TRIBUNE-l
Albany March 4-Governor Odeu and the Pa.
publican leaders in the legislature look with
more favor tonight, it is believed. Mayor
Lows bills which were introduced by Senator
Stranahan. authorizing the Board OF Estimate
and Apportionment Of New-York to reduce the
salaries of New-York officials A radical amend
ment has been made to the chief OF these bills
to-day. 1t therefore begins to be reasonably
sure that the bills will be passed.
AS originally introduced the chief BILL so tba
Governor thought. gave the right to the city
officials to increase the number OF offices. Ii
his judgment that any such increase would
be unwise. Nevertheless. he was impressed By
the statements made TO him by Mr.. Whitman
the Assistant Corporation Counsel. that Tam
many Hall city officials Just previous to the
January / so increased the salaries OF some OF
their subordinates that in many cases they are
larger than the salaries Of their chiefs, and
therefore was ready TO welcome any amend
ments to the bill which hight improve the
measure.
Mr.. Whitman arrived here from New-Yorz
this morning with certain amendments to the
chief bill. which he submitted to Governor Oden.
The Governor and Mr.. Whitman were in confer
ence on measures for over hour. Mr. Whit
man said afterward that ne had explained to
Governor Odell the reasons for the passais OF
the bills and that he believed that the CHIEF
one which had been amended. would receive
the Governors approval If it should ever pass
the legislature. One OF the bills. which has not
been amended says in an amendment TO the
city charter concerning the salaries Of city
officials:
All salaries as fixed on the first day Of January.
nineteen hundred and two, shall continue In
force until fixed by the Board OF Aldermen
as in this section provided, except as may
be otherwise determined by the Board OF
Estimate and ApportiOnment prior 20 the
first day of May. in the year nineteen hun
dred and two, under the provisions Of Sec
ton 10 hereof.
MUST ACT BEFORE MAY. I.
The chief bill has been so amended that the
Board OF Estimate and Apportionment will have
the power Ito fix the salaries in any OF the
city offices. departments bureaus. boards or
commissions only before May 1 Of the present
year. Under the old form Of the bill the Board
of Estimate and ApportiOnment would have au-
thority Ito create new positions. to consolidata
existing positions. 10 readjust titles and to in
crease or decrease salaries" All these words,
except Salaries" are omitted from the amended
act. The bill as amended reads as follows:
Between January 1st and May 1st. in the year
nineteen hundred and two, the Board OF
Estimate and Apportionment shall have
power from time to time 10 alter. modify and
amend the budget for the year nineteen hun
dred and two; TO change the titles. terms
and conditions Of appropriations contained
therein; to add new appropriate and abol-
ish any that may be found unnecessary. and
also upon the recommendation OF the Mayor
or any Borough President or head Of any de-
partment. bureau, office, board or commits
sion OF the city OF New-York or OF any OF
the counties embraced therein 20 dx salaries
in any of said offices. departments, bureaus.
boards or commissions. and in furtherance
Of these purposes or any OF them shall have
the power. II additional funds be required.
CN1~,s sroTIa to 4-Srra al
nue. bonds redeemable from the tax levy ot
the year nineteen hundred and three.
Governor Oden said tonight that his atten-
ton had been called to the disparity In ths
salaries in the various city departments Of New-
York and to the absurd cases where subordi-
mates are receiving larger salaries than their
chiefs. He said he understood that there was
fear that the Board OF Aldermen would not cons
sent to a reduction of salaries in certain cases.
and therefore Senator Stranahan's main bill de-
prived them OF authority 10 prevent the Board
OF Estimate and Apportionment carrying out
its designs in this particular
Mr.. Whitman said tonight that Senator
Stranahan. who had introduced the bills. would
accept the amended measure, and push both
at once. Senator Stranahan said a few days
ago that he was Willing to int duce any meas
sure which might come from Mayor Low. Nj.
Whitman informed Mayor Low by telephone oS
the favorable reception accorded TO the amended
bill.
CONTROLLER CIRCUITS BILLS.
Three bills that have direct relation 10 ths
status spoken of above, which were sent here
by Mayor Low. were presented in the Assembly
to-day by Mr.. McKeown. OF Kings County
They were drawn up by Controller Grout OF
New-York. whose object in framing them was 70
authorize the Board of Estimate and Appor-
tiOnment 10 reduce the total amount paid for
salaries in the offices OF the Register the County
Clerk and the Sheriff OF Kings County.
The bill in relation to the Sherifrs ONCE Is a
type Of the three bills. II says that nothing IN
the laws concerning the Sheriff shall affect tha
power of the Board OF Estimate and AppOrtton-
ment the Board OF Aldermen. both acting
Jointly. to fix the salaries of persons paid out
OF the city treasury, and to appropriate only
such amount of money such board or boards
deem necessary for the conduct of the Office OF
Sheriff of the county OF Kings.
The acts in relation to the Register and the
County Clerk give a similar power to the Board
of Estimate and Apportionment TO appropriate
only such amount of money as is necessary for
the conduct of the affairs Of these offices.
M r,T1-a aT-Y17