New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-05-06
METZ HITS OUT AGAIN
Sounds Warning on Fourth -4UcRue
!Subzcay and Other Plans.

Mayor A W Magee of Pittsburg. Sylvester Bax-
ter secretary of the Metropolitan Improvements
Commission Of Boston; Controller Metz Calvin
Tonkins. president Of the Reform Club. and Ben
samin c Marsh among the speakers last
night the City Planning and Municipal Arts
Exhibition in the 22d Regiment Armory.
Controller Metz. whose chair had collapsed just
before he spoke. said that the budget Of the city
had doubled IN the ten years since consolidation.
Much OF the additional amount. he said, had been
due 10 increases that had become necessary in the
school system, ss10ooeo) having been spent in ten
years public schools and 81. 100000
libraries. with Sl.00,o00 20 spend. under con-
tract. the Carnegie libraries. and 100000
TO spend on the Astor-Tilden Library.
-Everybody.'' he said. has his own pet scheme
People from parts Of Brooklyn want the Fourth
avenue subway Up in The Bronx they want more
parks About L per cent of their borough IS park
land now. but they want more. Perhaps some
body has some lots they to sell Then 10
Fourth avenue That proposed subway would cost
at the rate Of 100000 mile for the hole.
out counting your power house other equip
ment- The power house alone viii cost you SIS
100000 easily with its equipment; Now how are
you going to make that expenditure pay with
total population Of three hundred thousand to
drawn for 5-cent fares2"
Abiding to the Dock Department. the Controller
said that coal and music for the piers were being
paid for out OF money raised by the sale OF fifty
year bonds. and that The Municipal Art Commits
SION had made the Staten Island ferry house a
very expensive proposition.
As matter Of expense. too. even though its
bonds excluded from debt limit consideration.
We must consider the Catskin water proposition
continued Mr. Metz That's going to cost the city
Sz6aGG0,oeo in tie twenty years. They say
going 10 cost sl5003looo but ] know what I'm
talking about. We won't gel drop Of that wate-
Tor fifteen years. and all the time interest be
paid"
A few minutes later AIr. Metz said that ne did
not believe another city the country had been
administered as honestly as New York. A woman :
voice interrupted
You dishonesty
I beg your pardon mean honestly and
efficiently
You mean inefHcienry.' It was man who
spoke this time.
Controller Metz raised his hand deprecaungly as
two policemen moved 20 position from which
they could take a complete view Of the situation.
No he repeated Il said and meal honestly
and efficiently
But there's trouble about this Brooklyn sub
way matter that I'd like bring your atten-
ton very much Mr. Metz continued Here in
Manhattan the streets In Brooklyn the
City doesn't There are easement rights to be con-
sidered There is case now pending which, if it
goes against the city. Will that the city viii
have TO pay between 100000 and s25CG000o before
il gets through for easement rights along the two
miles of subway in Brooklyn completed
consented in connection with this Fourth avenue
subway. consented TO 2 committee Of them 10 sign
the contract for the first three sections if they
Eet releases from persons living along the route.
Well they went away and said they d get them,
but they didn't. and they're not going to That
isn't the way real estate owners do things. They
want all kinds OF improvements right past their
doors. and then they lie back 10 soak the city and
get all they out Of it
This reply was greeted with roars OF laughter
and applause
The Controller said that it would cost s12.0Gooo0
build the roads desired for The Bronx in The
Bronx and S609aG0o below the Harlem.
In reply another question the Controller de-
clared that the city could build cheap as
private capital could.
IF I could run my public office as I do my
business" he said, I'd % per There's
the prevailing rate OF wages and the man with the
pull getting the job and you can't prevent il.