New-York tribune., 1913-07-20
Grifenhagen's Report Shows
Increased Efficiency as
Well as Economy.

There were received. examined and re-
corded in the office Of REGISTER Grlfen-
hagan OF New York County from Janu-
srv TO June 90. 99.lH documents.
There we're also % Official searches and
1910 certified copies made. g. new maps
completed 39S2 notarial certificates IS
sued and $50 permits issued 10 commits
soners of deeds under the new law the
fees for which amounted TO S1s.ioi 30.
Amons the items Of revenue in the last
six months the increase IN the amount
for the examination Of chattel mortgages
Is noticeable. Register Grifenhagen has
ever insisted that the law governing this
matter should be carried out and the re-
sui, has justified the order. There were
PSF Of these examinations in the last
half YEAR and the scent fee was paid
for each paper Previously the law WAS
regarded as obsolete and the revenue was
lost to the city
The report Of Register Grifenhagen for
the six months ended June 30 was issued
Yesterday. 1T reflects steady advance
in efficiency under the business admins
tration maintained in the Registers Of
fee" said a well-known citizen OF the
city yesterday. instruments entered for
record by owners OF property or their
attorneys are being returned within four
or FIVE days. frequently in three days
from the date Of the entry.
The examination and recording OF
similar documents previous 10 Mr. Grif-
enhagens election required from four to
six weeks
The rapidity and accuracy OF the
present system are evidently appreciated
BY the public. for Register Grifenhagen
SAYS he has received scores OF letters
from lawyers and others doing business
with his Office thanking him for the
expedition with which he Is sending the
papers through and returning them. com
plete OF record. Many Of these corre-
spondents express the hope that the new
system may be continued without inter-
ruption."
In reference 10 the praise bestowed
upon him, Register Grifenhagen says in
his report: 1T Is very gratifying TO know
that the public thoroughly appreciates the
work we are doing here. In the begin
ming was told II was not possible TO
complete the record and return an instru-
ment inside OF week or ten days. Yet
We have gone beyond that, and on more
than one occasion have returned papers
In three DAYS.
This Is quite an improvemnt on the
four or fve-week plan of the past; and
We expect still further 10 reduce the time
as our plans develop. A real estate
lawyer, who has watched our work. de-
cares his conviction that we shall do
better than three days ] am aiming TO
90 this and hope TO succeed. There seems
no plausible reason why the work In a
great public Office like this-created and
maintained 10 give service to the people
cannot be done as quickly and as thor
oughly as the work in a private CONNER
oal concern.
Many persons have assured me that
the speedy return OF Instruments is OF
vast value 10 them. expediting business
and the closing Of transactions
That economy in management has ac-
companied Increased efficiency Of service
IS shown in the report by the statement
mat S6s.92195 has been saved out OF ap-
popriations and turned back into the
sinking fund
Most Of this saving. the Register says.
IN his report. has resulted from close
attention 10 details Of expenditures and the
better service Of the clerical force. The
register takes pride in the fact that Of
nee work is now rapidly and accurately
performed by minimum STAFF at less
cost 10 the taxpayers than ever before
owing 10 the business methods adopted
the Register was enabled TO ask for de-
crease In appropriations each year 80
mat, as matter Of fact. the amount
saved 10, the county is larger than the
specihc sum mentioned in the report ana
should approximately be stated at about
$50. 900.
Mr. Grifenhagen further says In the
report that he has been greatly encour-
aged by the citizens committee appointed
oy Mayor Gaynor 10 suggest new sources
OF revenue 10 the Board Of Estimate ana
Apportionment. In the report OF the re-
suit Of their work submitted TO the Mayor
the committee said that In no other