New-York tribune., 1907-12-07
BRAKES ON CITY FUNDS
METZ SHUTS DOWN HARD.
Improvements Costing sI92, 900, 900
Held Up Tenn porarily.

The Board Of Estimate yesterday shut down hard
money spending by passing resolution intro
duced by Controller Metz providing that all un
awarded and unregistered authorizations be held
up until reintroduced and reauthorized by the
board
This means temporary suspension of progress
on proposed improvements aggregatng S1eeo0O.gn
The board has authorized improvements to the
ralue of about 500 oGe0 of which contracts to the
amount Of S75 se0,e0a have already been awarded.
The suspension the tentative contracts means
2 winter of ldeness for thousands of employees of
contractors who ready 60 ahead with con-
struction work
Controller Metz finding it dfticut to ge the
banks 10 buy the city's short revenue bonds,
although they command about per cent interest
i think that some ought to apply for a re-
ceiver for the city Of New York holly declared
Borough President Coer. W hat condition will
Your streets be in?"
Docs that hold up all contracts?" asked Presi-
dent Ahearn
Does that hold up sewers in The Bronx asked
President Haffen OF that borough. President cron1
well Of the Borough of Richmond and President
Bernel of the Borough of Queens looked dazed
How you do it? II is not even legal!' cried
President Coler.
IT is legal if il is economical and the board does
it, replied Controller Metz
You repudiate these authorizations re
turned Mr.. Coler
Did you stop to think of the debt limit"
demanded Controller Metz.
KNOW All about II. replied Mr.. Coler
You don't seem know anything about II or
You wouldn't talk like that" retorted the Con-
troller.
Get receiver for the city, exclaimed Mr. Coler.
Il won't vote for anything ike that
The Mayor evidently pleased by the nros-
pective backing OF the Board of Estimate in his
'practice of economy, and had resolution read
again.
That's fair" he said The question is on the
resolution"
An those present voted in favor Of it EXCEPT
President Coler. who said No" vehernently
Early IN the hearing the determination to re-
trench on account Of the financial condition o. tho
CITY was emphasized more than Controller
Metz at the start favored putting off indefinitely
the expenditure of 5000 0do the acquisition Of
property for the Manhattan approach Of the Black
wells Island Bridge He said it would not be re-
ouired for several years 10 come and might be OBJ
tained more cheaply in a year or so President
MCGOWAN said he did think that was true bur
rather that IT would cost There viii be a
hearing on the matter January 10
The original authorization of 900 to meet the
cost Of abollshing grade crossings of highways
and railroads was cut down TO S5eoe eoD in a new
resolution
President Cromwell tried hard to get an appro-
pflaton OF Sl6ooe0 for typographical bureau which
he declared was needed for the future welfare of
the borough He finally compromised and accepted
S75.oao which granted
Every department Of the city government is
laying of employees by the hundreds because
Mcclellan
An objection was also made to the arproval Of
the plans for the Riverside Drive extension 10 The
Hudson Memorial Bridge. beeause it would involve
payment for the preparation Of the plans, matter
of NWe0
I haven't the money to pay it" said Controller
Metz.
You would have pay it now If 1 sent you the
BILL said President Ahearn
No. / wouldn't" said Mr. Metz you'd have IN
fuandamuS O eet he money"
Chief Engineer Lewis who had his salary raised
recently from $3.50 to $1,000. recommended the
dismissal of three law clerks in his office because
they Were not needed. President Ahearn did not {
like this idea but it prevailed
The application Of The Park Commissioners for |
an appropriation of S2,576 $50 was passed hv on. |
iHelN This was TO be used for the Improvement |
OF Central Park
There objection by President Abearn when /
the Street Cleaning Commissioner recommended |
that the bids Of Thomas Crimn1ins and others Tor
The removal of snow in Manhattan and The Bronx
be withdrawn.
Why de you to do that?" he asked
Because Of excessive cost said Mayor McClel-
Ian.
think the contractors ought to get a hearing
and be given reason for this action
1t Is not officially before the board" insisted
the Mayor
The average bid was Il cents a cubic yard The
Brooklyn bids were approved and awarded 10
Hugh l. Starr. Charles Crawford and the Isracke1-
McAveney company. These bids ranged from -
TO IS cents cubic yard.
When a resolution providing for an emergency
appropriation Of Sl6o0oo for the removal of snov,
Was introduced Controller Metz asked that it be
refSrred 70 him
Referred TO the Controller. and trust to God
that il won't snow. said Mr. Metz. and the reso-
luton referred.
The applications of the several independent tele-
phone companies scheduled for consideration |
by the board. but account of the Illness Of
Martin W Idttleton. the counsel for the Atlantic
Telephone Company, which is seeking a franchise |
to compete with the New York and New Jersey |
Telephone Company. the consideration of the fran |
chises put off for TWO weeks.