New-York tribune., 1910-02-02
WON'T HEAR BENSEL
NO RIGHT on FLOOR.
Aldermen Get Bill also for
Sane Fourth Of July

DR.. Walter Bensel. sanitary superintend-
ent OF the Board of Health. who during
the term Of Health Commissioner Darling
ton was accustomed TO represent his chief
in pleading for appropriations before the
Board of Aldermen, was turned down BY
that body yesterday. The point having
been raised by Alderman Dowling. leader
Of the majority. that DR.. Bensel had no
right TO speak from the floor. the charter
was called upon to prove his point 1t was
learned that no one except the head Of
department may have the privilege Of the
floor except by unanimous consent
DR.. BenseI. who stood at the side Of ahe
alderulauic chamber while the fight oTei
his right TO speak was being waged. LETT
in disgust when the chair ruled against
him
The dispute arose over q request or the
Board Of Health for 5000 of special rev
erue bonds for automobile anbulances. Al
derman Esterbrook said he would like Or,
BenseI to make an explanation regarding
the need for them. Immediately Dr. Ben
sci walked out in front of the aldermen,
as he had been accustomed TO do. and
started to talk. when Alderman Dowling
cut in with an objection.
Alderman Tristan B. Johnson. leader Of
the minority. showed that he held the bal
ance of power by holding up or passing
appropriations for revenue bonds as he saw
fit Such matters require sixty votes for
pa ssage. Two appropria tons asked by the
Board of Health were denied and one was
granted the latter being s15,667 80 for sal
aries for help in the new headquarters
building in BROOKLYN Two other 1ppro-
Eriations were denied and one was granted
Alderman Courtlandt Nicoll offered a.
resolution for the appointment Of com
r7littee Of FIVE for the purpose of devls1ng
some means TO commemorate Tndepe7 1ence
Day less dangerous 70 life and property
than the manner in which It is now CO.
served - the committee TO hold public hear
tngs and report its recommendations within
thirty days of its appointment
In this connection a proposed ordinance
was eu7mitted which would absolutely DO
away with the fndiscrin1inate setting off Of
fireworks in the city. It would make It
unlawful for any one TO possess or set OF
ANY squib rocket, f1recracker, Roman
candle or other combustible fireworks de-
signed to be exploded with sudden report
or detonation.'' An exception IS made, how
ever. that the Police Commissioner may
issue a permit to any one over twenty-ore
wears of age 10 possess and set off such
fireworks for period not exceeding one
day
But in order to get such 4 permit per
son would be obliged not only to satisfy
the Commissioner that he was familiar
with the nature of such fireworks but
would have TO pay a license fee Of s5 and
execute d bond Of 5000 70 protect the city
from any damage that might result.
The resolution was referred TO the Com
nittee on Laws and Legislation
Alderman Nicou also introduced .reso-
luton recommending that the Sinking Fund
Commission convert into temporary play
grounds such school sites as are not to
be used for buildings in the immediate
future
Alderman John .. Gunther, four times
elected to the board from the SD District
Brooklyn, and Republican leader of that
body for two terms. resigned yesterday 70
accept the cIerkshfp OF the 9Th District Mu-
nicipai Court Stephen Calaghan was
elected to succeed him. Mr. Callaghan lives
at No. 566 Seventh avenue. and has law
Office AT No. 10 Broadway, Manhattan