New-York tribune., 1907-09-15
GROSS MIsMANAGEMENT.

The Ahearn investigation, ltI lilStdltSB SiioNNSN
that in three years over S5.oo0.oo0 was squan-
slerei in the administration of the Office of the
President Of the Borough OF Manhattan through
neglect inefficiency, waste and corruption But
the investigation showed more than that. II
proved that pay rolls amounting TO hundreds Oh
thousands Of collars a, year were padded with
names 81 men who admitted that they never
did a days work for the city In the three
year period under investigation II was shown
that the proceeds OF the sale OF So't"o,''V
worth Of long term city bonds were used 10
repair pavements that viii De worn out before
the bonds become due. that the city added
that amount to its debt without acquiring any
tangible asset to show for it The point OF all
this Is that, although the inquiry proved that
This sort OF thing had been going on for three
years way. and in all probability much
ionga~ tho f-onrrolje- knew nothing about it.
The city accounts did not show II. nor even give
d hint tEat il going on So strongly did
this tact appeal To the investigating commis-
sion that the following paragraph was added 20
its report in large tyre.
In conclusion we desire 20 point out that in
our opinion the iBefficieICy, neglect, waste and
corruption disclosed In the course OF ms N
Cuirv afford striking example OF what may
he expected in q greater or less extent IN any
department Of the city government when as
in the ofice of the President Of the Borough Of
Manhattan. there Is an unscientific distribution
OF goverrmentai functions. and q lack of
trolling ard informing system Of accounts and
periodic reports
Almost before the ink WAS dry upon this re-
port one Of the investigating commission. John
& HeTtle. Commissioner or Accounts Tor the
CITY WIS himself charged with having used city
employees 20 perform private work. and admitted
the truth Of the charge by offering his reslgna-
ton 10 the Mayor before an investigation could
he ordered into the charges preferred against
him.
SOME QUEER EXAMPLES.
In 1901 the Board Of Education protested Wig
nrously because. on the recommendation Of Con-
troIler Grout the Board Of Estimate and Ap-
r,ortionnaent cut down the estimate of the
amount required for the administration of the
city schools by S1.oO0.0oO 1t was asserted that
this reduction would result in irreparable injury
being done 10 the entire system. Yet in the re-
port which the board published in the following
year IT was stated that there had been prac-
rfcaIlv diTninution in the effectiveness Of the
work done in the year
Two years ago a deputation representing the
Charitable organizations il the city appeared at
She regular taxpayers hearing and asked for
the establishment in connection with the schools
Of more popular lectures, more vacation schools
recreation centres Controller Grout I'm replying,
10 the deputation wanted 10 know what guaran-
iee there was that, if the money necessary for
these purposes was added TO the Board Of Edu-
cation appropriation, II would be spent
quested. Secretary Devine Of the Charity Or
EaniZation Society. who acted as spokesman for
the deputation. replied that he had a written
pledge from the president of the Board of Edu-
cation 10 the effect that if the money was grant
ed would be spent in the manner Indicated
by the deputation- Upon this pledge the money
was voted. but in the following spring the Board
Of Education decided TO cut down the number of
vacation schools by ten. the excuse being that
there not enough money available 10 con-
zinue them Yet money sufficient TO carry on
these schools specifically voted. and a writ
pledge given that II would not be used for
other purposes An explanation of the lack of
funds 10 continue the vacation schools was found
in the increase in the salaries of the Superin-
fendent assistant sUperintendens and other ad-
,ninistrative officers made about the time
that cost considerably more than the amount
necessary TO continue these schools.
TWO years ago money was granted 10 the
Board of Health TO pay the salaries Of one hun
dred medical school inspectors, yet ii turned out
that thirtv-seven Of these inspectors. who were
raid out of the amount thus specifically voted
were never used for school inspection purposes
ct all.
II was brought out in the Woodbury. investi-
cation last year that the municipal incinerator
since discontinued. made TO show a profit
upon operation fer years because the wages Of
the stokers We're paid out Of appropriation
voted to pay the Wages 81 garbage dump trim
1nerS.
These are only few instances out of hun
dreds that might be quoted to show the way in
Alich money voted TO the various departments
- the city service for specific purposes Is used
fOr ether and wholly different purposes.