New-York tribune., 1910-01-08
BOARDSTARTS WORK.
MITCHEL'S PLAN UP.
Mayor Gaynor Presides at HIS
First Meeting.

The new Board of Estimate and Appor-
tionment. with Mayor Gaynor presiding, at
its first meeting yesterday staked out work
as follows:
Authorized the appointment of a COM
mittee consisting of the Mayor Controller
and President of the Board of Aldermen
to confer with the Public Service Commits
sion for the purpose of providing for rapid
transit facilities and to formulate plan
for the immediate relief of transit conges-
ton, to report on or before March l.
The same committee to formulate a plan
to standardize the purchase of supplies
Directed the secretary of the board to
furnish a complete estimate of all public
improvements contemplated or under way
under the Jurisdiction Of the respective de-
partments and to report by February Is.
Created a committee TO draft rules for
the guidance Of the board
Called on the various departments to rem
der a full statement by February 10 con-
corning unexpended and inactive corporate
stock appropriations with the idea of MAX
ing such unexpended balances available
for general use.
Called for a statement from the secretary
with reference to all corporate stock au-
thorization, and directed that all branches
Of the city government refrain from in
curing further liabilities other than water
bonds, without express authorization of the
Board Of Estimate.
Authorized the appointment of a COM
mission of five to report on teachers sal
aries in the public schools, the commission
to be appointed. two by the Mayor, two
by the Controller and one by the President
Of the Board OF Aldermen.
f,,r,7 a
statement showing all increases in the bor-
rowing capacity of the city, and on the
Department OF Taxes for a statement show
ing the estimated increase in the assessed
valuation Of real estate
All of these resolutions were prepared
after the conference on Thursday afternoon
in the Mayors Office, and the typewriting
indicated that they had been prepared by
one person, presumably President Mitchell
of the Board of Aldermen. The only one
that caused undue comment was the one
giving Messrs. Prendergast and Mitchell
preponderance in the appointment Of a COM
mission to readjust teachers salaries.
All the resolutions were adopted without
dissenting vote.
Street Cleaning Commissioner Edwards
was shot to pieces" under a rapid-fire
cross-questioning by the Controller and the
President of the Board OF Aldermen when
he asked the board to approve the con-
tract with the William Bradley company
for proposed snow removal by the area
system. The Commissioner said the Christ
mas storm had cost the city about 500, 900
or 100000 He said that under the area
system three years ago snow removal had
cost $2,50O,Q00, but there had been fifty
seven inches fall, as against sixteen last
year, when removal cost $4,000.
On motion of Mr.. Mitchell a committee of
three was authorized to draft a new form
of contract. The Mayor commended the
Commissioner for his explanation.
Nearly all the routine resolutions were
referred to the Controller for further ex-
animation.
The only fun furnished during the ses-
sion was by DR.. JUNIOR, speaking for Flat
bush taxpayers, who protested against the
change in location by the old Board Of
Estimate Of the Catskill aqueduct. He said
that the Mcclellan Board of Estimate had
INDUCED in an ''orgy of disgracefulness"
and an 'orgy of extravaganza" He called
for a resembling Of the action of the old
board in behalf of 'teenling millions who
would some day want the aqueduct laid
under F1atbush, and he solemnly declared
that the action OF the old board seems
TO US unseemly."
The Mayor assured him that his protest
would receive consideration. EX-Controller
Metz was in the audience, and he said
ii seemed like old times, but somewhat
tanner.