New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-12
WANTS PICTURE RECORDS.
New Photographic System De-
scribed by Grifenhagen.
HIS 1912 REPORT ISSUED
Accuracy Would Never Be Cues
toned Under Proposed
Method, 1t Is Said.

Register Grifenhagen intends TO present
plan to the Legislature TO permit his
office to photograph documents recorded
directly on to the pages of the present
''libers."
This is the latest. most up-to-date
most practical, quickest and most accurate
method of recording he says i'm his re-
port for 1912 There can never be ques-
ton as 10 accuracy" he adds. There can
never be question concerning a sigma
ture. whether genuine or forged-it Will
show lust az it was in the original docu-
ment.
1t will further expedite the return o.
papers beyond the briaI dime now takeT
There will be no need for examining The
copy of the record by our employees. as
is necessary now. II is as far ahead D
the typewriting machine as the automo
bile is Of the ancient stagecoach II will
enab bic the city 10 secure it's extra plan.'
Of duplicates without extra cost. as many
as ii may require
The work can be done quicker anc
cheaper by this combined process OF
photography and printers ink than bj
the linotype or any other form of print
ing. In . word. it will be rapid, economi-
cal and durable.
1t Is declared the best system Of ro-
cordng known 10 science. and there
seems no reason why it cannot be in
stalled i'm this office within "A short time
There is no doubt of its prscticabiity,
and will save $4,000 yearly in the ex-
pense OF the Office
The report indicates that promptness IN
recording and increased efficiency In
handling the vast number OF instruments
have resulted in establishing practice OF
returning papers within five days. which
has brought forth many letters and eX-
prcssions Of hearty approval from at
torneys. corporations and that part OF
the public i'm general having interest ana
dealings in the real property Of Manhat-
tan and The Bronx. now representing
money value Of more than seven and one
half billions OF dollars.
Another important fact is established
BY close attention TO details and more
careful scrutiny Of all documents pre-
scented for record the revenue has in
creased TO Ar extent that makes the Office
nearly self-supportins.
Regarding the Mortgage Tax Bureau
Mr. Grifenhagen shows that the receipts
for the last year were S2.lS 955 30, an in
crease Of ij6i925 Il over 1911, including the
sum Of 1927 %. allowed by banks and
trust companies as interest in accordance
with special arrangement made when
he began his administration.
"A considerable portion Of this in
crease says Register Grifenhagen. IFS
due TO the very careful examination OF
mortgages and conveyances Convey
ances and other Instruments not in the
form Of mortgages. but intended actually
only TO mortgage the property covered
by the instrument. are frequently pre-
scented for record without the tender OF
the amount Of mortgage tax due thereon,
and 1t requires an expert 10 uncover the
real intent Of the instrument
THE same practice OF careful watchful-
ness is maintained in the general fee de-
partments Of this once II you want the
best results in any business YOU must
pay close attention to small details. The
result IS shown i'm increased receipts for
the year. although the volume Of bust
ness.was not quite up 10 that Of 1911
The Registers budget for 1912 shows
appropriations Of s33l,ii actual eXpendi-
lures s3l7 500 Il and a balance of sS.777 ~
10 he returned To the city treasury. or
the sum expended only sl5st2I So was for
the regular administration Of the Regis
ter's office. sass 70 for salaries in the
Land Title Registration Bureau and si3.
"a - for recording clerks OF folio writ
ers Preservation Of public records and
copying old maps required SIS. $50 ~ and
s9i .0c3 ~ went To pay for the block re
ndexing department, work authorized
and ordered by special acts OF the Legis-
lature
Deducting the cost Of these specially
created departments. the material re-
duired for them. etc. there Is not wide
margin between the receipts and eX-
pendtures Of the general administration.
During the twelve months covered by
the report IL is shown that the number
Of mortgages Conveyances. leases powers
OF attorney. agreements. consents, chattel
mortgages, etc. received is l69, ~ for
which fees amounting to Sl+i.976 80 were
received There were also 1850 mort
from was s1i,756 80.
In the chattel mortgage department
there was considerable revenue for exam
lining 29,172 Of the instruments.
At the beginning % his administration
Register Grifenhagen decided strictly TO
,,o,;ciope Of the Iaw author