New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-07-31
MAKES BITTER ATTACK
ON "CAYN0R CHARTER"
Bureau Of Municipal Research
Says Document Literally
Invites Plumber.
ASSAILS FINANCE SECTIONS
Statement Declares They Can
Be Discussed Only in the
Light of the Loot
Theory"

The Bureau OF Municipal Research has
sent a statement to "out-of-town' editors
asking help for New York City In what me
bureau calls a crisis The statement
SAYS the sections Of the revised "Gayuor
charter dealing with control of finances
are obviously not entitled 10 consideration
as sincere" that they cannot he discussed
in the light of any theory except the loot
theory and that they are frank, wanton'
brutal attacks upon the public.
After making the statement that exit
ing safeguards are broken down wherever
they conflict with the private purposes Of
the master minds that made this patch
work charter" the paper goes on 70 say:
Not even the cloak OF Mayor Gaynor's
sponsorship will permit this Trojan horse
OF legislation TO get inside the lines OF New
York City's defences, once the public un-
derstands what II Is proposed TO DO. Not
to mince words-Tamman yisn, Republican
as well as Democratic-haS indeed capital
lied its opportunity. The revised charter
/ saws after making the Controller an audi
tor. that he shall sign and issue warrants
without examination. audit or certificate
in practically every case In which money 10
dishursed by the city.
After exempting Judgments and awards,
N provides that the Controller shall pay
without question inquiry or right Of de-
I
partmentS due on contracts other than open
market orders including contracts for the
purchase or lease Of real property. In tins
short sentence the Ia IL taken off, so far
a. independent audit IL concerned. OF more
than 500 100000 annual expenditures After
contract IS entered into upon public letting
| by the head Of department he Is made
the sole Judge OF whether work is too cost"
| or inadeQuately performed A department
head who executes contracts might under
this provision certify that work had been
-Fl l. f..I do
and tho Controller would be compelled 10 ne
/ a party 70 looting the city treasury. Has
tho public forgotten the recent Ahesrn,
Iaffen and Gresse- contra CtOrs2
Thus is Tweed out-Tweeded. What would
no have not paid 70 secure charter pro-
vision II this character Under II no one
would ever have questioned fraudulent con
tracts for the County Court House. Under
80 = corrupt official or the corrupt sub
ordinates or advisers Of an honest official
may rob the city 70 their hearts content
20 long as appropriations last and the pub
| lie doesn't look. To keep the public from
! finding out other sections make the Com
missioner Of Accounts q menace instead or
a protection.
audit by the Controller. II only the Munici-
pal Civil Service Commission stamps pay
rolls with its certificate This lifts the
bars Of auditing restrictions on another
/ SS06n.o0o ~ annual expenditure. To guar
| entee futile or corrupt Civil Service Com
mission other sections have been properly
revised ' Thus IL transferred from a
| Controller. all the peoples representa- tive,
70 . Mayors personal or party appointees
! all right 70 question payrols, 70 check
payroll padding. 70 protest against salary
/ payments when no services are rendered.
Another huge door is opened wide BY
| forhiddng the Controller 10 examine the
! payment Of any claim adjusted and settled
/ by The Corporation Consul. which means
I any claim concerning which suit is threat
ened. In other words. II the Controller
should aver refuse immediate settlement
| ~ no matter how fraudulent or extortion-
ate q claim. all that a claimant needs 70 DO
70 transfer the Issue to the Corporation
Counsel is 10 threaten 70 sue.
Never before has the Legislature dared
o. submit A charter go grossly hostile 10
public interest II not only rips. y not
/ only DESTROYS safeguards. II literally IT.
vites plumber and chlOroforms the victim
| From cover 10 cover II IL framed 70 build
Ivp the mower of insiders at the city g
eXDerse n deprive elective officials or
mower 10 protect the Citvs interests. and 10
make things easy for the never SATISFIED
horde that preys through Iraudulent con
tracts. padded pavrolls special counsel fees.
/ fake personal injury claims and the IN
limited other schemes IN which PUBIC tuiIu44
( arc diverted from public 10 private ana
party uses.
/ The statement ends by paving tribute to
Governor Dix. who, II says, has rendered
conspicuous service 10 the state and 70 the
civ OF New York by compelling oppor-
flInitv for turning the light upon the pro
posed charter lie bureau believes IL IN
conceivable that he Will misconstrue any
hare majority that may be mustered for
this revised Gaynor charter under tune
and season conditions that make general
public discussion impossible