New-York tribune., 1911-03-19
CLEAN STREETS COSTLY
On This Ground big BiIl' Ed
wards Defends White Wings.
NEEDS MEN AND MACHINES
Suggests That Critics Complain
to Board of Estimate, Which
Refuses to Aid Him.

They heckled Bill" Edwards. Commits
sioner Of Street Cleaning. during the as
cussIon on "A Clean City al the CN'
Club Yesterday afternoon. DR.. Henry Mos
kowltz. OF the Downtown Ethical society
wanted 10 know what was the matter with
street cleaning on the lower East SIDE
.Joseph NJ Price, chairman or the CltE
Clubs committee on streets, and the pre-
siding officer. criticised street flushing by
machines" In the midst Of il all "Big
BIZ got the floor.
II feel now just as used TO feel at the
opening OF the second half with the score
all against us, and believe me, l never
liked better time than that. he said; III
is easv enough 10 find fault with the
streets ] can do that much mysef, but
I am here this afternoon 10 tell you honest
~ the conditions that ! am working un-
der, and to bear testimony in behalf OF one
OF the grandest departments in our city
and one that Is doing the hardest kind or
work under conditions that arc twenty
wears behind the times. and In face or the
fact that the head of the Street Cleaning
Department has his hands tied by the
Board Of Estimate, which practically re-
fuses TO appropriate enough money 10 al
low him TO make good his suggestions
And | can tell you. my friends. II isn't
worth while 10 be at the head OF the Street
Cleaning Department II your hands are
tied
The Commissioner spent half an hour
telling how he was hampered by lack OF
money. men and modern equipment. He
would like to flush the streets, Of course,
but where could he get the water" The
city couldn't spare it. Certainly he would
like to put hundred more sweepers down
In the East Side streets. but the Board OF
Estimate denied him tho money. Commits
,ioner Thompson Of the Water Depart
ment told him that New York was facing
g serious water famine. and there you
had It.
Meetings Of gcod men and women Ike
this don't amount to that, when you come
right down TO it," said the Commissioner
with a snap of his fingers. You could put
in your time to better advantage appearing
for a single hour before the Board of Esti-
mate when street cleaning budgets are
being made" he said. Then he uncovered
the clumsy system Of paying off his men.
which resulted often in loss OF two hours
work on their part. Ridiculous" he said.
He confessed with deep feeling that he was
slow TO lay off "superannuated' cleaners.
because there was no pension system in
vogue in the Street Cleaning Department.
lie paid a fine tribute to the loyalty and
Industry of his men. and he insisted that
they deserved pensions as much as police
mon and fremen
lie believed with Mayor Gaynor that too
much snow was removed from the streets.
and in reply 10 DIR. Moskow!tz. who said
tha, he always got the grip when the
snow and slush lay on rhe ground. he
quoted DR.. Ernest J. Leder,e. Health Com
missioner who telegraphed Mayor Gaynor
recently that the death rate in New York
had been lower this winter than in years
II would be disloyal TO my men II l did
not tell YOU that they deserve some credit
for this" he said.
Chairman Price. following Commissioner
Edwards. said that the Street Cleaning
Department might get more money ~ the
commissioner could show that the equip
rnent and methods he suggested would
save money. The discussion was ended ~
Professor William +. Morse. an expert in
sanitation. who urged New York 70 estab-
ish "disposing plants and take away tho
profits Of the private corporations now
doing that enormous work"