New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-05
ALDERMEN TELL Of
CIVIC CONDITIONS
Members of Fusion Board
Talk Before the City
Club.
ARE SEEKING CAUSES NOW
Promise Better Facilities for
Pushcart Pedlers and Many
Other Local I'm
provements.
ARE SEEKING CAUSES NOW

Aldermen Henry II. Curran. Ralph
Folks and John A. Boles spoke before
the City Club yesterday afternoon on the
subject, "A Year Under a Fusion Board
Of Aldermen telling OF the work they
had accomplished and of their ambitions.
OK the police investigation Alderman
Curran. head of the Curran committee,
said that the last real police investigation
had been in $50, and that in the present
one they hoped not only to investigate
conditions. but 10 improve them ana 10
keep the public absolutely in touch with
the situation as the aldermen found II.
What we want is TO find the causes
of the present condition" he said. mot to
display effects We want TO make recon-
mendations" lie then told how the alder
men had their attention brought to the
police situation and of the information
they had gained as 10 the department dis
ciIlne ard personnel.
we began with the relationship OF the
MAYOR TO the Police Department he CON
tinucG he who appoints the men of
the force. We are now about to investi-
gate the handling of the various depart
ments and the vice, gambling and crime
situations y great many letters have
come 10 us within the past month or so
regarding the police situation. Some are
signed and some are not; but all give in
formation that might be of value. / may
say that all of them are being investi-
gated
Mr. Curran then deplored the fact that
the constituents Of many aldermen failed
10 confer with those aldermen and ques
lion them about the conditions in their
districts
our aldermen are seldom bothered"
he declared except for jobs. Citizens
should come to us and help us in our |
work"
Alderman Folks said that for the first |
time in history. the aldermen were max !
ing use of Chapter 81 of the Charter, in !
which the Board Of Aldermen are per |
United to investigate city conditions. He |
told how the board had been looking into |
the taxicab and motion picture situations. |
lie advised that law be passed that |
would surely hold water" Alderman !
Folks was the originator OF the moving /
picture ordinance which was recently |
vetoed by Mayor Gaynor. He asked that |
certain enthusiasts in favor of censor
ship keep their hands off while the alder |
men do their investigating. He and other |
aldermen emphasized the necessity or
economy in Investigations.
Alderman Folks and Alderman Meyers |
both spoke enthusiastically for city !
owned automobiles" suggested that they
be labelled. that the licensing Of electric
signs be regulated. that muffier cut-outs
he attended TO and that we have a real
old-fashioned Fourth of July. Alderman
Folks said that the old Fourth of July
Committee had returned 10 the city $500
from their fund and that the Fleet Re-
ception Committee returned over $500.
The alderman said that those facts were
quite extraordinary.
Alderman William D. Brush, telling OF
the public markets, said that the alder
men were trying very hard TO get the
conditions of the pushcart pedlers we'll
in hand and safe and sanitary. lie said
that soon they would get additional space
near the Williamsburg and Manhattan
bridges and Essex Market. Their condi-
ton in the meanwhile was being investt
gated.
Alderman Ralph Boles recommended
that Fourth Of July appropriations be
granted at least four months in advance
of the event. II that We're done, he said,
the city would save money. The aldermen
are seeking the regulation OF taXicab
drivers and cars. as well as a satsfac-
tory disposition Of hack stands and the
fixing of rates. The rates, he said. should
be lower In all other cities particularly
London. the cab rates were far lower.
In London the cost was 16 cents to travel
a mile, while here ii was 90 cents.