New-York tribune., 1910-01-07
CONFER ON POLICIES
ESTIMA MATE BOARD UP.
Mayor and Other Members
Discuss Its Plans.

Mayor Gaynor. Controller Prendergast,
President Mitchell of the Board of Alder
men and Borough President McAneny of
Manhattan were in conference an hour and
a half yesterday afternoon over the general
policies of the Board of Estimate and APP
portionment the first meeting of which
der the Gaynor administration takes place
this morning. beginning at 10 80 o'clock.
Among the things discussed were the ap-
preparation of money to Commissioner Ed
wards of the Street Cleaning Department
the immediate building of subways, the
composition of a corporate stock budget for
twelve months in advance, with no further
issue of corporate stock unless by unani-
nous consent, and the appointment of a
standing committee of the Board of Esti-
mate and Apportionment to represent the
board and cooperate with the Public Ser
vice Commission.
Mayor Gaynor SAID afterward that the
conference had been entirely harmonious,
and that nothing had been discussed eX-
cept in tentative way. He said that he
expected harmony in the board.
The question of electing a successor to
Joseph Haag, secretary OF the board, is
likely to be put over for a week and when
1t comes up it is probable that a division
in the board will be a result. 1t is under
stood that President Mitchell is backing
Raymond B. Fosdlck an Assistant Corpora
ton Counsel, with salary of $4,000, for
the place now held by Mr.. Haag, who
ceives $4,000 Mr.. Haag was the Tam
many candidate for President of the Bor-
ough of Manhattan in the last campaign,
and is on good terms with the new presi-
dent Mr.. McAneny. Mayor Gaynor and
Borough President Gresser of Queens are
supposed to be in favor of retaining Mr..
Haag in the board Working under the
present rules. a ma jority vote will pass
resolution if the resolution has been on the
calendar for one week The fusionists have
the votes to elect Mr. Fosdick If they wish
TO do 1t, even If Mr.. McAneny should de-
eide to stand by his friend, Mr.. Haag. It
Is believed that Messrs Prendergast Nit
chel, Steers. Miller and Cromwell would
vote for Mr.. Fosdck, giving him ten votes
out Of sixteen.
There seems TO be unanimity of opinion
about the need OF having settled policy
with reference to the issue of corporate
stock In the proposed new WINS charter
it is recommended that each year the
Board of Estimate and Apportonment
make up a corporate stock budget for
the coming year. and that thereafter no
corporate stock be issued unless by unani-
nous consent In this way 1t is hoped
by those who favor the idea to limit the
appropriations to reasonable bounds. It
is believed that In this way it would be
entirely feasible to withstand the plausible
arguments Of civic associations with pet
ideas.
TO ELIMINATE FRICTION.
The promoters of the idea for a stand
inc tn u-{tb h.
lie Service Commission believe that nearly
all the strife engendered between the Board
of Estimate and Apportionment and the
Public Service Commission during the Nc
Clellan administration would be eliminated
by the appointment of a standing commit
tee to do the preliminary work. Mayor
Gaynor is not committed to the plan, as
X would mean that all the important
formative plans for subways would be
placed in the hands OF Republicans and
fusionists. as the Republicans and fusion
lists control both the Public Service Com
mission and the Board of Estimate.
Mayor Gaynor walked TO the City Hall
yesterday despite the glare of ice, reach
ing headquarters schedule time, about
925. One of his early callers was ex-Park
Commissioner Smith, who personally told
the Mayor that he would cheerfully assist
his successor. whoever he might be.
In justice to ex-Park Commissioner
Smith, 1 desire to say that In referring
yesterday to 81 foremen to 119 workmen
on the payrolls I didn't refer to him.
am sorry such inference was drawn
1t seems dangerous to draw differences.
The reference was made to another de-
partment," said the Mayor.
Some Of the Mayors forenoon callers
were George Gordon Battle, defeated Tam
many candidate for District Attorney last
fall; William H. Marquand. of Brooklyn
John Rowe of Richmond; Senator Robert
Wagner, Ex-Governor Phneas c. Louns-
bury of Connecticut: Edward Lee the
"Colored Croker" and his friend. Bishop
Hubert, of the African Methodist Episcopal
Church, and Charities Commissioner Drum
mond
After luncheon Charles B. Slower. an en-
thusiast on chldrens Fairgrounds in the
parks, called al lhe Mayors Office by ap-
pointment. and returned for a second call
later in the day.
DARLINGTON A VISITOR.
Health Commissioner Darlington brought
along a bundle of documents for the
Mayors perusal. He said that his own
reappointment had not been discussed.
Later came Rudolph P, Miller the new Su-
perintendent of Buildings, and Thomas j.
Curtis and Frank Joyce, of the Central
Federated Union.
Professor Edward W. Bemis, the water
expert who was appointed Deputy Com
missioner of Water Supply, Gas and Elec-
tricity. was sworn in yesterday. He said
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