New-York tribune., 1913-07-30
NO FR|LLS FOR mitchell
ECONOMY and Efficiency" His
MayoraIty Platform.
ANSWERS PROGRESSIVES
Collector Says City's Finances
Do Not Warrant Wide
Sorties in aesthetics.

In answering n query from the Pro-
gressive leaders as to his opinion Of the
Progressive municipal platform, John
Purroy Mitchell, Collector of the Port
incorporated I'm his reply last night what
really amounts TO his own platform II
he should be nopnated and elected
Mayor. Mr. Mitchei's much used slogan
was economy and efficiency He
frowned upon costly fountains, spacious
civic centres, 100000 courthouses, deco
rative park fences. and some other i'm
provements which his rival, Borough
Presldent McAneny. has advocated
Home rule" said the Collector
means that New York City should write
its own charter ard control the local
government Responsibility and account
ability Of executive and legislative Of
fcials should he provided for. municipaI
ownership should be used only as a last
resort. but is preferable to unregulated
private ownership; reduction of the cost
Of living can be brought about by whole
sale terminal markets. with new de-
partment of markets 10 be established :
tho Police Department should be reor-
ganizod on an administrative basis and
the schools should be developed as out
lined in the Hanus reports
In answering the question as 70 whether
he would be willing to abide by the Pro
eresslve platform. he said that some OF
the things incorporated in the platform
were Impossible OF realization for years
but that he subscribed TO them In the
main
Under the head OF Efficiency and
Economy" Mr.. Mitchell said
ITO effect true economy and ehciency
IN the conduct Of municipal government
we require. Of course. freedom from legs-
lative interference in the making OF our
city and county budgets and the utliza-
tion OF new sources OF city revenue. NO
less important is the limiting Of capital eX-
penditure TO proved actual living necessi-
ties postponing 70 better times and a
wider credit margin expenditures for the
non essential and the purely aesthetic and
decorative.
There ara many admirable improve
ments which a city OF Infinite resources
and a low tax rate with moderate assessed
values might properly undertake. but
which New York In its present financial
condition must postpone 10 n later day.
Fountains. decorative park fences, spa
cious civic centres. $2o.00o.0oO court
houses-admlrable though they be I'm
themselves and desirable under conditions
of municipal aniuence-must give place
10 schoolhouses. elimination of grade op-
Grafton of trains on the West side. the eN-
tension Of rapid transit and port develop
ments.'
Referring to the Police Department Mr..
! Mitchell said
police control. crime prevention and
! the maintenance OF public order and de-
cency are problems primarily OF admins
| tration rather than Of legislation. Inc
| executive and the Police Commissioner
have always had at hand the means oil
| effective control. or were free TO take
steps to supply them. Recently disclosed
| conditions are the logical results of a
/ failure to employ the means at hand ana
| adopt i'm the Police Department enecuNe
/ administrative practices.
Administrative reorganization from
within. fun use of the findings and the
recommendations OF the aldermanic com
! nittee on administrative conditions ana
| requirements. system OF complete cur
rent reports. current supervision ana
check from without by independent means
Will provide an effective and successful
method Of police control
| The Collector stated that IT was OF the
greatest importance to reorSanlze the
MAYORS Office in order TO make the Mayor
| I'm n real sense the general manager oil
| ,ba citv To accomplish this a complete
REORGANIZATION is needed, as well as ful
and vigorous use Of the Commissioner oil
| Accounts, he said