New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-10

ment can be kept for few years more under
its present head the city is likely TO receive
a large income from its waste, which heretofore
has been TO it a matter Of great cost
PARKS IN CROWDED NEIGHBORHOODs.
The Department of Parks in every borough
besides improving greatly the condition of the
large parks and maintaining them in high
state Of efficiency. has developed small parks
with free hand in sections already crowded,
or likely soon TO be crowded. Special attention,
also has been given TO the development of chill
dren's Fairgrounds. The Department of Public
Charities has not only improved the food and
the clothing and the care given 10 the city's
poor. but IL has also created q hospital for con-
sumptives, and greatly bettered the nursing in
the mems wards. The Department OF Correc-
ton promptly finished the new city prison.
which was at a standstill for two years under
Tammany; thoroughly renovated all the old
buildings Of the department. which had been
for years neglected, and established a school on
Harris Island for the boys committed TO its care,
thus botn separating them from older offenders
and providing for their education The Fire
Department has reduced the cost Of its supplies;
and although the number OF fires constantly in
creases, Il cut down the total loss by fire from
IS S16.3C5 in 1901 to S699S 562 in 1902. and the
aversg &c loss per FIRE from 81 o46 in 1901 to SS0i
in 1902 and S6SS in the first six months IF
1903 The annual report of the Board Of Fire
Underwriters, covering thirty-one years. shows
that the percentage Of losses on buildings and
contents was lower for 1902 than for any year
since 1872, being Oh per cent. against former
minimum OF 7.J6 per cent. If such efficiency
can be maintained. the cost of fire insurance in
the city viii surely decrease.
The Department Of Bridges has pushed the
Williamsburg Bridge to completion, that
roadways and footway may he thrown open TO
use early in December. IT has perfected plans
for the BlachyelIs Island Bridge and for the
Manhattan Bridge, and has devised 4 system
Of care for the Brooklyn Bridge, and for all the
other bridges. which mas increased their satety
and improved their condition. -Four new trolley
loops being put IN to better the facilities at
the Manhattan end Of the Brooklyn Bridge
The Dock Department has reduced expenses
and largely increased its income. 1t has carried
toward completion the great improvement on
b. Dfz-nr hat MI mod
ago. between the GansevOort Market and West
Twenty-third-st. 1t has secured the adoption
Of a municipal ferry for Staten Island; and, in
cooperation with the Law Department, it has
also secured the adoption by the Land Com
missioners of the State Of New-York Of an ad-
ditiOn to every patent 10 land under water
granted by the State, Of clause securing to
the city the right to condemn such land. at any
time in the future. by paying TO the owner the
price he or his predecessors paid to the State.
plus the actual costs of Improvement. There are
three hundred and fifty miles OF waterfront
within the limits Of the city OF New-York At
the time this new policy was adopted there were
stIll 232 miles Of waterfront as to which the
State held the title Of the land under water.
The adoption of this new policy by the state
is easily the most important thing done for
the city, in regard TO its waters; since the
grants made to IL IN the Dongan and MontSolr-
cry charters. The Department of Taxes and
Assessments has carried out with large meas
ure Of success the policy Of assessing the real
estate Of the CITY at full value. called for by
the law. and has helped TO secure the passage
Of the law that now makes 1t obligatory TO pub
lish the assessment list each year. a measure
which makes permanently for equality Of as
sessnent Only experts can appreciate how
much this department has done to make the
assessing Of real estate in the future matter
OF scientific system instead OF a matter Of ia
voritism and guess.
LIBERAL SCHOOL APPROPRIATIONS.
The Department Of Education called upon
early in 1902 to report how much was necessary
for new sites and school buildings in order TO
give TO every child q seat. This sum. substan-
tfaIlv SIS 600 600 or more than Tammany gave
for the same purpose in four years, has now
been voted thus making IL certain that IN the
b.