New-York tribune., 1907-10-13
Foreign Resorts.
TAXPAYERS PROTEST.
Real Estate Man Declares the Mayor
Shut Him Up.

Tho Allied Real Estate Interests an organization
which claims to represent taxpayers VINO con-
tribute $lO00OOo0O yearly TO the city revenues Is
sore over the peremptory manner in which It's
representative shut up at the taxpayers hear
ing Friday by Mayor Mcclellan and Chairman
MCGOWAN. OF the Board OF Aldermen
Some time ago the association addressed COM
munIcatlon to the Controller, asking that IN fu-
ture the annual city budgets should oe prepared
IN segregated form that IL would be possible
for the taxpayers to get some adequate idea Of
how the city revenues were being spent 1t was
pointed out. in support OF this request that the
great waste OF money shown to have taken place
in the administration of the Office OF Borough
President Ahearn would never have been allowed
10 20 on had the taxpayers been able to under
stand the departmental budgets. Replying 70 this
communication. Controller Metz complained that
he had not enough money at his disposal TO have
the budget prepared in the manner indicated, and
admitted that even he unable to pass intelli-
gent Judgment upon the estimates because Of the
way in which the departmental accounts were
made up.
When a representative of the Allied Real Estate
interests appeared before the Board of Estimate
and Apportlonment to suggest that the Controller
he given enough money 10 have the departmental
accounts prepared in Intelligent manner, II is
asserted that he was promptly shut up by the
Mayor and Chairman McCOwau. Speaking to a
Tribune reporter. Allan Robinson, president OF the
association. expressed strong opinions regarding
what he characterized this hlgh-handed action
of the Mayor
eft is we'll known" said Mr.. Robinson. that
these taxpayers hearings in the past have been
little more than farce. How any taxpayer
make suggestions about how money should be
spent when the municipal system Of keeping ac-
counts is as Mr.. Metz himself says, designed TO
cover up the facts? We are determined that the
Controller shall be given sufficient money to en-
able him 10 have the system changed. and no
high-handed dismissal of the subject by the Mayor
will prevent US from carrying out our intention
''The Mayor knows just well as any one else
that no one make head or tail OF the de-
partnentaI budgets as they are prepared.
The Controller admits that he cannot, and the
Fiavor as we'll as the other members of the Board
:It was only the other day that Mayor McClel-
Ian admitted that S. 0O0O0 Of the proposed Increase
of $40 OIO 600 in next budget mandatory.
He did not say, however, that the other S4W'p,WO
of the increase also mandatory, ana was re-
0ured for additional payments to the sinking fund.
largely for interest charges upon money squandered
with an increase next year Of SlO.Oo0OOo. every
dollar of which Is required by statute. The IN
crease viii not improve the city services. because
IT Is all needed for the purposes OF the sinking
fund. . ,.
TO be told about. No can gather such infornna-
tion from the budget statements. our association
is determined that the public shall have more light
upon this question of city finance. We want 70
Know where the city stands. and unless We are
badly advised, that knowledge wfn come as a
shock TO most taxpayers