New-York tribune., 1911-04-02
NEW CHARTER FOR CITY
SHIFTS DEPARTMENTS
Sets Up Treasury, Engineering,
Hospitals, Licenses and Build
ings with Others.
BOARD OF EDUCATION ON PAY
Part of Controller Power Taken
Away and Distributed and
Chamberlain's Sphere
Enlarged.


of many Of its functions N the proposed
city charter, which was introduced in the
Legislature on Friday night.
The contemplated attack upon President
Mitchell Of the Board of Aldermen in the
way Of providing for a vice ce-mayor to de-
nrive him Of his right OF succession TO the
nsvoralty was abandoned. All doubt about
the length of time that the president of
tho Board OF Aldermen should serve as
Mayor after succeeding to that office be-
cause of vacancy is done away with'
however. IT is provided that he shall serve
only until "the next annual election oc-
curing thirty days after ire happening of
the vacancy.
This charter. which was prepared under
the direction Of Corporation Counsel Wat
son. IS understood to represent the views
of Mayor Gaynor on changes that should
he made in the administrative affairs Of
the city government
Provision IS made for the appointment Of
any number Of deputies that the head OF
department may see Mt TO have and for
the changing OF the salaries of appointive.
officials. except the members of the Board
NJ Education. but the consent of the Board
81 Estimate and the Board of Aldermen is
required both for the appointment of dep
uties and the changing of salaries. The
patronage and fat salaries that these pro-
visions would permit an out and out polit
ical administration to create would be
limited only by the cry that would he
raised by outraged taxpayers.
Seven Education Commissioners.
The separate corporate existence of the
small paid board substituted. In regard
10 this a memorandum on the charter given
out at the Mayors Office says:
The membership Of the board is TO be
reduced 10 seven commissioners. one OF
whom j. u he it's president and executive
head. The president and his associates
ale 10 be appointed by the Mayor for
terms Of five Neers, adjusted so a. TO pro-
vide Il yearly appointment to the board.
The commissioners viii be removable by
the NiayoI. hut only upon charges and after
Due notice and a hearing. They will I've
required 10 devote their entire time and
attention to the business of the department
a1d are 10 receive salaries for their ser
vices. nsmcly the president $4,000 and
other members $1,000 year.
The following new city departments are
created:
Department Of City Treasury. which IS TO
have all the jurisdiction now vested in the
City Chamberlain. and is to succeed 10 the
control OF the office Of the receiver Of
taxes and miscellaneous revenues and the
collector Of assessments and arrears and to
the supervision Of the city aided charitable
institutions, all OF which functions are
taken away from the Finance Department
city chamberlain Hyde's duties would be
materially increased.
To Complete the City Map.
Department OF Engineering. the head Of
which is 10 be the city engineer. whose
duties shall &c 70 complete the city map,
act as city surveyor and make all technical
examinations. analyses and tests required
by any other official. II shall also be the
duty of this officer TO supervise the pur-
chase Of city supplies.
Department of Public Hospitals. TO take
over the control of the institutions now
supervised by the board of trustees Of
Bellevue and Allied Hospitals the Inebriety
Board; also TO control and develop an am
bulance service in all the boroughs.
Department Of Licenses. which, while
bearing the same name a. small depart
ment now in existence. would be practi
cally a now department. taking over the
control If various forms OF licenses now
delegated To various bureaus and officials,
such az marriage licenses mow a bureau
of the city Clerk. curb stands and street
advertising privileges now a prcrogative
Of the Board Of Aldermen, pushcarts,
tsxicabs. etc. now in tie hands Of the
Mayors B,relu of LicenseS), and steam
boilers (now in The hands Of the Police
Department..
Department Of Markets, Weights and
Measures. reorganization of tho present
ia
,he adde6 duties OF providing for the eX-
tension of q ciiy. market system.
Division Of tho Department of Docks and
Ferries into two separate departments, one
for docks ana the other for ferries.
Department of Citv Architecture. follow:
ing closely IN. lines of the, department.
uuder the control of the state architect.
Regarding this tlc memorandum says: 1t
IS believed that much may be accomplished
in the way Of economy by ccntraIizing the
Cty's architectural operations. and at The
same time effective aid may be given to the
movement for a city beautiful 10y stand
srd'zing designs and plans for city cd-
hces.
One Department Of Buildings.
Department, u Buildings, which shall
take over ne duties of tho bureaus cf
buildings row connected with The various
borough foyernments. Regarding this the
memorandum Gays:
10 insure proper co operation with The
Tire Department IN respect "i safeguards
against y~s OF If. pH Bie tre .sW uepart-
rnvnts cnaTteT rill makes provision that
the bureau OF buildings in the seVe ~ Dor
oughs shall 10 consolidated mo CITY he-
pattnont. Witu bureaus IN me p9Ipu- hs az
a. present. the general control of the sys-
lem 10 be vesteo IN competent dicnltect
Or builder. 10 he appointed b. tne MAYOR.
This change was recommended nN the
Wins commission in the interest ~ UNI
forrnitv Of building regulations but Is
ijrgsS now as an indispensable liesaNng,
FIRE preventing proposition
Controller Made an Auditor
rns Niavor's charter. as ALREADY said.
voulI take away all Of the administrative
powers and duties from The Controller who
would become simply an auditor. control
ler of accounts and chief dsbursing ofhcer
If the city" u would give largely IN
creased powers 30 city Chamberlain Hyd''
who would re the head OF the Department
of the Treasury. previously referred 70. In
addition 10 takina from the Controller The
Lurcsn for the collection Of city revenue,
including that from markets. the bureaus
for tho collection ~ taxes and that FOR 'he
collection q assessments and arrears, the
Controller jurisdiction in respect OF the
following subjects would he rcllnquished
80 appropriate bureaus 50 be established IN
the Board Of Estimate and Appordonment
tab city real cmate; o. salaries ana
grades; 1c) supplies CD adjustment oi
si4fu4s. fet fnupicf,ot inyeeficafiOn and