New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-06
THE BUDGET CONSIDERED
City Officials Ashc for Increases at
Estimate Meeting.

The Board Of Estimate and Apportionment met
yesterday TO consider the budget for 1904. Mayor
Low presided. Ali the Borough Presidents with
the exception of Mr. Cassidy, OF Queens, were
ureseut Controller Grout in late. He and
the Mayor exchanged formal bows. President
Fornes Of the Board OF Aldermen was another
absentee
The first question taken UP was the estimate OF
Bridge Commissioner Lindenthal. of s495,30S 10 as
against s423 SO allowed 1903. This increase
Mr.. Lindenthal said, due to the additional
cost of maintaining the bridges on the Harlem
River.
Fire Commissioner Sturgis presented estimate
for S5.S590$3 against S5220,100 for 1903. an in
crease Of sf1IS932 The Commissioner said that
this increase was largely due TO the legislation
enacted giving increases in the force of about
two hundred men. Replying 10 a question put by
the Mayor, the Fire Commissioner said that the
eegble lists would be ready in few days, per-
hitting his appointing the large increase Of new
firemen He said that he hoped they would begin
duty in few weeks.
IF the two platoon system had gone through"
said Mr.. Strugis, lit would have meant in
crease of S20o0O00. while it will cost only about
one quarter of that amount for this scheme which
you and 1 indorsed and which will give the men
time at home with their families"
Street Cleaning Commissioner Woodbury. asked
for a hearing his estimate which for 1904 is
sS1255l 15 against S5,329,7l2 % allowed for 1908
all the five boroughs, which is exclusive Of all
bond issues for the removal Of snow and ice
Il will be from the foregoing figures that
DR.. Woodbury. increase OF than
three-quarters of a million dollars A large per-
centage of this. he said, due to the fact that
next year there would be fully forty miles moro
of streets to clean than this year.
II want more men, better CARTS better streets
and cleaner Streets" said DIR. Woodbury.. He
added he had apprehension about certain parts
OF Brooklyn and The Bronx, which he declared
could very handlly be kept cleaned with machines.
Mr.. Grout questioned DIR. Woodbury. regarding the
reason for some of the increases asked for. The
Mayor then thanked DR.. Woodbury. who made way
for Corporation Counsel Rives.
Mr. Rives asked for $Jl47 for 1901, against
$3.50 $50 allowed 1898 The increase, he said,
due to increased work placed on his department
by the Tenement House Commission requiring an
enlarged office staff.
Police Commissioner Greene followed with his
estimate for the Police Department for 1904. which
is $l2,5S5 342 49, against sl.565.6s0 AZ, in
crease of 81, SIS 66l 49, General Greene de-
mate. He said about S963010 due TO two items
one the Police Pension Fund which, because OF the
increased number OF retirements, would not be
Seif-suStainng next year, and would have to be
replenished the extent of 500 eco and the balance
due the increase In the membership OF the force
improvements and repairs to stations which Cen
cral Greene said he found in numerous cases in
bad sanitary condition was another explanation of
the big increase asked for, well desire
improve the telegraph and telephone service.
Commissioner Homer Folks Of the Department of
Public Charities followed with his estimate 1904
of s2I65l3 49, against 81 SO2 10 The Depart
nlent of Taxes and Assessment through President
Wells submitted its estimate of 1851
last year Of about per cent, S11 300 which
the board, which then adjourned until morrow
morning