New-York tribune., 1902-03-20
II CONEN HIGH

In the revised budget DR.. Woodbury., Of the
Street Cleaning Department. asks for an in
crease of about $500, 900 over the amount which
Tammany reckoned sufficient making a total
demand Of S5,464611 80. 1t would seem as if
the final 60 cents might have been omitted
without serious results, but inasmuch as il is
not the custom 10 take such liberties with the
estimates shall not complain on that ac-
couBE The question is whether or not the pro-
digious asked for is needed 10 keep the
streets in a satisfactory condition. One thing
is eertain-namely. that Commissioner Wood
burys calculations are not to be decried merely
because the late unlamented Nagle kept the
streets dirty for a smaller sum. There is no
doubt that the new broom is sweeping clean on
this side Of the East River In spite of the
disadvantages which he inherited from Tam
many administration, DR.. Woodbury. has ef-
fected an immense improvement already Even
in the neighborhood Of the tunnel excavations
which not only produce litter in great profusion
but make its removal difficult, an agreea bic
transformation has been accomplished: while
in parts of Manhattan which afford a clear
field for good work there is scarcely ANYTHING
10 complain Of In Brooklyn the critics are still
voluble and tart, but understand that over
there some peculiar obstacles exist which more
tine is needed 10 overcome. and that in reality
a good deal Of the faultfnding is superfuous.
Probably in the more or less distant future
the inhabitants Of New-York. rejoicing in a
snug revenue from the conversion of street
refuse into valuable products. will entertain a
feeling Of profound contempt for their ancestors
who spent five and q half millions annually in
destroying a potential source Of wealth. But
for the present the city, so far as we are able
TO judge, must keep doing this part of the
municipal business at an enormous loss In
questionably II must be done, and if 1t is done
as well as circumstances permit the people will
not refuse 10 sanction the necessary expendi-
fUre. On that point experience is conclusive
Colonel Waring in the early davs of his ad
ministration accumulated a large amount of
odium, which he seemed 10 enjoy rather than
regret having unusual talents of a controver-
sial order and a militant spirit But before he
was constrained 10 rest from his Iabors he had
become so popular that Tammany talked of
running him for Mayor.
SO it will be with Dr. Woodbury. Tan1n,anv
nomination not necessarily being broached-if
he succeeds in justifying the expectations Of
his friends. Our opinion is that he has made
first rate beginning, all things considered. and
IS likely To confound his enemies before he gets
through. Indeed, II is interesting 10 observe
that some Of them already appear TO he under
going the process Of conversion At TUESDAYS
meeting Of the Board Of Aldermen, for ex-
ample. several Tammany members declared
that they were quite ready TO give the commits
eioner whatever they were sure he really
wanted You may talk about your Colonel
Warnings" said Alderman Gaffney, but Wood
bury is the best commissioner we ever had
"and ] am going TO help him all can ire
''spective Of politics" We do not love the
doctor for the Tammany friends he has made
but there is no reason for looking at him with