New-York tribune., 1902-10-28
STREET CLEANING.

Commissioner WOodhury's report IN the Mayor
on the work Of the Street Cleaning Department
for the months of July, August and September
makes out a clear case of energy and intelli-
gence hampered by an inadequate plant. II
amounts. we think. 20 a demonstration in itself.
hut il is enforced by the Commissioners official
standing IN the community. Whatever may he
thought as To the fitness of some men holding
important places in the municipal administra-
tion. the competency of DIR. Woodbury. is widely
recognized. He has shown from the first not
activity and sincerity alone. but a sound under
standing of the problems confronting him and
a high degree of ingenuity in overcoming dis
advantages When therefore, he urgently de-
mands an enlarged and improved equipment the
general conviction is sure 70 be that he needs it,
The Commissioner is by no means contented
with the results accomplished. though he is able
TO show a credtably increased collection OF ref
use over 1900 and 1901. and a particular in
crease in the thoroughness Of primary separa-
ton. The point is that progress cannot he con-
tinued with the present resources Of the de-
partment. In fact, II is probable that the pres
ent standard cannot he maintained indefinitely,
for the departments horses are doing more than
they can keep on doing. and in many instances
their condition, owing TO an excessive strain. Is
deplorable. The Commissioner has asked for a
bond issue Of $4,000 for Manhattan and The
Bronx, and OF S145.000 for Brooklyn, 10 buy
additional horses, carts cart covers sweeping
machines, etc. The Board OF Estimate and Ap-
portionment has approved the application. but
the aldermen have refused Il thus far. We are
glad TO hear that II is TO be renewed time after
time. instead Of being regarded as finally re-
jected. One element in the case is likely TO he
overlooked. During the summer. while a large
dence parts OF the city were away, it was pos
sible TO concentrate effort and equipment in
densely populated tenement districts, where
hard conditions exist and are made douby diff
cult by ignorance. But during the coming
months that advantage will be lost.
There is an almost hopeless deficiency Of fat
scows and steam bumpers The few IN hand
antiquated. decrepit and constantly calling
for expensive repairs. To supply IN part this
deficiency il is necessary 10 hire such things at
a probable cost for 1902 Of 100000 II would
have been great economy TO spend that sum.
or most OF il. in buying what was needed and
that is what the Commissioner proposed and
the Board OF Estimate approved. But again the
aldermen objected. II is parsimony. not prr-
dence. that dictates such denial Or. If not
parsimony. IL is the sort OF obstinacy which sug-
gests something worse than error of iudg-
ment. Commissioner Woodbury. has done much
less than he hoped TO do. but he has no occasion
10 apologize. He has accomplished great deal
as il is. Consider the single fact that no refuse
Of any sort was sent 10 sea for three summer
months. when. owing 10 a mishap that IRA
tionsl method of disposition had to he used for
a short time, only 10 he abandoned at the ear
liest possible moment. II is worthy of remark
also that in a perfectly sanitary manner ten
Of haTp
Island already. and fifty-three more can he
added by the same means TO the city's property.
In such ways as these. over and above the
more generally observed evidences of efficiency.
the Commissioner has proved that he knows his
business and is devoted 10 his duty. II is folly
10 withhold the special allowances of money
which he imperatively requires I'm order 10
utilize the regular appropriation for his depart
ment- and the aldermen ought to understand
that their obstruction is an abuse of power
which the people will not patiently endure