New-York tribune., 1911-04-02

CO., ~ -
ihss so far as fire and safety provisions
are concerned. Fire traps are declared to
be ''nuisances'' In the meaning of the Penal
Code, and the drastic provision of the char
ter In regard to these is described in the
memorandum as follows
Any building. structure. inclosure. ves-
sci. place or premises which is perilous
TO life or to property in case of fire therein.
thereon or adjacent thereto by reason OF
the nature or condition of its contents OF
It's use or the overcrowding at any time
or persons therein. or which, because of
defects in It's construction, or deficiencies
in such fire alarm, fire escape or auxiliary
fire extinguishing equipment as may be re-
CURED for, on or In said building, structure,
, Enclosure or premises by law or ordinance,
or order OF the Fire Commissioner, Is
nuisance within the meaning OF this act.
the penal law and the code Of ordinances.
The Fire Commissioner is empowered and
directed to cause any such nuisance to be
abated In the same manner and TO the
same extent as the Board OF Health Is au-
thorized. by this act and the code Of ordi-
nances. TO cause nuisances due TO unsdni-
tary conditions 10 be abated.
The Fire Commissioner is empowered to
cause an investigation of any building. to
require the installation Of fire alarm sys-
! tenn or the construction Of fire escapes as
provided for by law and to enforce his
orders in the same manner as does the
Board Of Health He is empowered u
cause to be vacated. and even razed. any
building that. in his opinion, is inadequate
ly protected against fire perils.
Change for Presidents and Banking.
The membership in the Board Of Alder
away. The board loses its power in the
ora ,irp of I'm eto al
ing privileges.
No changes of Importance are made IN
! the Police Department
The Tenement House Commissioner is SUBJ
stituted for the Health Officer Of the Port
as an active member of the Board OF
! Health
Provision is made for a separate Park
| Commissioner for the Borough Of Queens.
| IT is suggested that the Department Of
Markets, Weights and Measures should ex-
| tend the number and scope OF the citys
markets in an effort to lessen the cost OF
! living in the city.
The City Banking Commission, which
under the present city charter designates
the repositories for city money, is done
away with. Under the duties Of City Cham
| berlan is this provision:
He shall receive all moneys and shall
deposit them in such banks and trust COM
! panies as shall have been designated as
city repositories by a majority vote of the
/ Mayor, the Controller and the Chamber
! lain"
I This would mean that the Mayor and the
! Chamberlain could make such designations
without notice 10 the Controller as the
latter would not have to be notified OF
/ meeting OF an informal body.
| Another interesting provision is the fol-
! lowing: NO officer. employe or subordinate
of any department, bureau or office of the
city, or any borough thereof shall pc liable
( for any act done or omitted In good faith
with ordinary discretion within the scope
( Of mis- official duties"
! Important powers Of nquistion are given
/ TO the heads. secretaries and chief clerks
of every department and TO the borough
presidents. They arc empowered 10 con-
duct Investigations issue suhp9nas reqrir-
/ ing attendance and TO administer an oath
! To witnesses.
! Prisoners Assigned to Work.
Labor unions are likely 10 oppose pro-
! vision for the assignment TO any city Of
/ fetal of any prisoner by the Department
OF Correction to do work Of any description
/ of which he may be capable. 1t is provided
! that the employees of all bureaus trans
ferred from one department to another
shall retain their positions.
Two additional coroners are provided for
/ Brooklyn.
The borough presidents ore permitted to
! let contracts fer public Improvements not
TO exceed 5000 without the approval Of the
/ Board of Estimate.
/ Borough autonomy as it cow exists is re-
tained.
! The entire control of pensions. including
the power TO grant pensions TO individual
| employees or classes, is given TO a Board Of
Retirement and Pensions, composed Of the
/ Mayor the Controller. the President Of the
/ Board of Aldermen, the Chamberlain and
| the Corporation Counsel.