The evening world., 1908-10-09
TAXPAYERS GET
!. CHANCE TO FIGHT
|. BIG NEW BUDGET
Board of Estimate Will Meet
1 Citizens in Debate
\ Next Friday.
.GLASHEs AT HEARING.
.Obiectors lnsinuate That Of
ficials' Greatest ConSid-
Grafton Is Salary,
sCLASHES AT HEARING.

h For the first time IN the history OF ih<
Board OF Estimate its member ~rn Of
thc.aily debate the question of the city's
budget with the taxpayers. This was
decided upon to-day following a lively
hearing before the board, when several
hundred citizens gathered to protest
through their spokesman against in
creases OF departmental estimates and
TO suggest at the same time certain re-
ductions.
AS the hearing progressed clashes be-
tween the speakers and the members Of
the board, chiefly the Mayor, Comptrol-
der and President OF the Board of Alder
men, occurred. Several speakers pro-
tested against the remarkable extravs-
gances" of the city administration, and
assumed that reckless hands were wan
Ftonly wasting the city's funds. Charges
were made openly and insinuations
were many that civic pride did not
wholly prompt the efforts of elected Of
fcials from the Mayor down In behalf
or lthe city. but rather that these officials
regarded only the salary of their respec-
tive offices.
Mayor Mcclellan and the other mem
bers Of the board plainly showed their
resentment, and frequently expressed
the opinion that they were being un-
Justly attacked.
~ All for Economy.
1t was a determined band OF taxpay-
lsrs who confronted the city officials de.
fnnsnding. that extravaganza In the city's
expenditures cease. Many arguments
and suggestions were advanced by the
speakers all tending to show that
more economic form OF government and
administration must come IL the city
is TO be saved from bankruptcy and ex-
cessive taxation.
At the end OF the hearing compro.
mise was effected between the officials
and the leaders OF the protestants. 1t
was that an entire day next Friday
would be accorded all wishing to present
concrete plans and instances showing
wherein moneys can be saved to the
city.
EE Can Save Millions.
MANY of the leaders present declared
they would be on hand wifi plans ex-
planning how millions of dollars can be
saved to the city.
IF any Of you gent emen can show
me where the budget can be pruned
with advantage to the city you shall
have my three votes in this board"
said the Mayor.
t'Me, too" exclaimed COMPTROLLER
Metz. and then there was a cheer
4; The Greater New York Taxpayers
Conference. representing the bulk OF
IA ;n
asked through It's spokesman that New
York be given the best government in
the world. we are paying millions for
government and we want the best gov
~rnment possible" was the slogan. SEN
ator Brush, for the conference urged
a pusinesC-like management, economic
but not n:sgsSdly He urged that longer
hours of work be exscted from city
employees, with adequate but not ex-
uavagant compensation.
ID Defined by the Law.
Comptroller Metz called attention 10
the fact that an existing law limits the
city employees hours OF work.
iWen. We VIII have the law changed
declared the Senator
DO YOU believe that $3.50 a day Is
adequate pay TOR man with family?'
Il am not going 10 answer that Quss-
tion now, but some city employees /
have seen would not give dollar to-"
answered the Senator
The attitude of the speakers was In
favor OF radical, economical conduct OF
government, giving 100 cents for every
dollar. II an ADDED hour of labor was
eNhcted from city employees. one speak
Ell said saving of one-sxth would ac-
crue TO the city
we want eight hours labor from our
employees, and II there is any law
against II then well smash that law"
exclaimed Secretary Bloch. And you
gentlemen, men OF your ability, can pre-
vail upon the BoaM OF Aldermen TO
revoke that law. You can furthermore
make these employees work or fire
them"
Would you have US violate the law7"
demanded the Mayor
Alfred r. Conklin WAS fighting mad
and accused the Board OF being "un,
friendly" He protested against an IN
EfWould you not Increase school
teachers salary asked President Nc
Not dollar When ] went to Yale
had 10 get along on $500 year"
came back Mr.. Conklln
Mr.. Conklin protested against increas-
ing an employees salary In Office.
other speakers protested against the
increase OF taxation,
''NNhen railroads and other large cor
pprations are reducing salaries and eN-
ptuses II Is not for the city to Increase
salaries and create vast expenses" SAID
one speaker from Brooklyn,
Are you IN favor Of doubling Com
missioner Bingham's salary?" asked
Mr. Metz,
'tNo. no. was thundered from q hun
dfad voices throughout the room.
gNr. Robinson, OF the New York Tax
payers' Association, stated that the
ew'aste" of money could not he attrib-
uisd TO city oftcials, but TO the "sys-
KrhsTationF
fpaul -. Craya,h representing the
Tehement- House Committee of the
thhillN pganlta,@,nu; @ Sp"he N s.gpoIt !
spcresse for The Tenement House De-
narlment