New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-23
WON'T SHEAR CONTROLLER
+ OF POWER OVER FINANCES.
Charter Committees Change Of
Front Comes After Recess
Conferences.
GAYNOR YIELDS, IT'S SAID
Mr.. Mathewson's Long Argu-
ment on Audit Questions Use
less After All-Committee
More Conciliatory.

!
new city charter. the joint legislative
committee decided yesterday 10 aban-
don its attempt 10 shear the Controller
Of all his power When recess had been
taken after the morning session Of the
hearing at the City Hall Assemblyman
Foley, chairman Of the Assembly COM
mittee. went into conference with Mayor
Gaynor Later he Joined the other
members Of the committee and Ray b.
Smith, who has I'd much TO do with
the drafting Of the charter.
Assemblyman Foley then went up
town, it being surmised that he had
gone to see some one high up in the
I councils Of the Democratic organization.
! Soon after he came into the afternoon
hearing the Assemblyman declared that
they had decided not TO take away the
ordinary powers of audit from the Con-
/ troller, as would have been effected by
/ the charter in its present form.
Acting Controller Mathewson. who
was just starting on "A long argument
I against this provision of the charter,
was astounded. This change Of front on
/ the part Of the committee had come so
suddenly that others expressed the hope
| that perhaps the committee was at last
willing 10 listen 10 public sentiment on
the many important changes in the city
/ government contemplated by the pro-
/ POSED document. II was reported that
the concession had been made by the
Mayor. but he could not be seen on the
subject
/ Mr. Mathewson took almost the entire
afternoon session opposing other pro-
posed changes in the Finance Depart
ment Frank Smith. who gave up his
place in the Finance Department soon
after Controller Prendergast took Office
and is now chief clerk Of the Court OF
Special Sessions and who acknowledges
responsibility for many Of the proposed
reductions in the power OF the Con-
troller. will speak when the hearing is
resumed at 1880 o'clock this morning.
The committee will then take up the
consideration Of the chapters on city
Treasury and Law Department.
Comm lttee more OonCilldIory'
At the morning session yesterday
James G. Cannon, on behalf Of the spe-
! cial committee Of the Chamber Of Com
merce. presented the resolutions adopted
bv that body recently condemning the
charter They proposed that a redraft-
/ ing Of the charter be intrusted 70 a joint
committee not only of the Legislature
/ but also Of private citizens. Senator
/ Cullen. chairman Of the legislative com
mittee. told Mr. Cannon that they would
give proper consideration 10 the sug-
gestions The entire attitude OF the
| committee was much more concillatory
/ than at the opening session on Monday.
Acting Controller Mathewson, In open
I ing his argument against the chapter on
the Finance Department, said he wished
first 10 give particular attention 20 the
subject of audit The present system OF
the CITY. he declared, had been built up
after years Of experience, and he under
stood it was being used as one Of the
models on which the disbursing system
of the United States government was
being reorganized.
The proposed charter provides as fol-
/ lows:
Warrants shall be signed and issued 2y
/ the Controller without examination "N--'
/ or certificate 10 pay IN.
/ First-Judgments -
/ Second-Awards, costs. charges OF eX-
,rbird-Amounts certified by he head OF
! o. denartmeut board. body or ONCE 10 De
/ due on contracts other than open market
/ orders. including contracts lot lhe pun ~ii'''0
/ or lease of real property.
VI 'F,o,,3rtbYCiaims adjusted ana settled by
] the Corporation tOunsei. r-.-
/ Fifth-Fees and disbursements or referees,
special counsel and experts IN act!Dns ia
| which the city or any OF us depaT tihtilIs'
/ boards or officers IS a party ln interest
certified by the Corporation counsel
/ SiXfh-COsts. counsel fees ana expenses
/ - an officer who b. a prevailing party 20
an action or proceeding "Hen audIleu Joy
] the Board Of Estimate.
/ Seventh-AmOunts expended by each OF
the following departments. certlned by tne
/ head Of the department Tor the toho"lns
/ nurposes. Health Department. Tor tne cur =
/ and prevention Of disease. Department OF
/ Water Gas and Electricity. FOR prevention
/ Of pollution OF the water supply depart
Iments of Fire. Health and Tenement House
for executing orders the expenses ~ "ll1r
are liens upon the property affected:
/ Fighth-AmOunts due for principal or IT.
terest on corporate stock. bonds, assess
ment bonds, revenue bonds. speclal FeNeIiue
bonds and notes Of the city.
/ Ninth-The compensation Of officers ana
employees IN a city or county department. L.
board body or office when certified py the
! Municipal Civil Service commission.
Committee Changes Front.
Mr. Mathewson was about 10 argue
against this limitation Of the powers Of
the Controller when Ray 3. Smith gave
the first intimation Of a change Of front
On the part OF the committee Perhaps
we can save a little time he inter-
runtad. and went on 10 suggest some
change in the wording of the section.
Mr. Mathewson did not see how that
would help much. Then Assemblyman
! Foley spoke up 20 say that in his opinion
the suggested change would make the
secrion practically identical with the
,.roecot charter so far as Judgments and
ravnents of money were concerned.
.rn other words" continued Assembly
MAJ, Foley. I'VE want 10 avoid the infer
once that we are taking away from the
/ controller the power 20 examine a claim
=, epd out whether II is fraudulent or
,,.hetl,er II is correct We do not want
that inference TO go out
.rf this committee is content 70 leave
.,o ouditIng powers Of the Controller as
-. ar- row" said Mr. Mathewson. Il
80, ,,t my remarks very short
- think that is the right idea said
..sor,blvman Foley. we never intend
"a ~ take away the power Of the Con
t~oIior 10 audit contracts or payments
,,,, he has to-day