New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-06-29
Continued from page 4.

those who have business dealings with
The city. The reorganization of the
purchasing and accounting methods,
brought to practical completion these
past six months, has done much to
improve these relations. More prompt
audit of claims in the Controllers Of
fee, impartial specifications, better
business methods generally in depart
ments have greatly improved these re-
lations. 1t is no longer the practice
for political tradesmen to have
monopoly of city business. The best
institutions in New York are now fur
nishing supplies and materials to city
departments at fair prices.
This improvement is not the achieve
ment of the present administration, but
is largely the result of years of at
tcntion to this phase of the city's bust
ness by preceding administrations. We
found a number of instances remain
ing, however, where competition was
restricted to the disadvantage of the
city. A case in point was the apparent
monopoly enjoyed by a small number
Of firms in supplying forage, of which
supply the city is a large purchaser
This has been broken down through
the efforts of the Fire and Park De-
partments and as result OF an IN
vcstigation conducted by the Commis-
aioner of Accounts.
By substituting an impartial plan Tor
distributing city deposits, based upon
the strength of banks and rates OF IN
terest paid, the Chamberlain has IN
creased the city's interest earnings
over amounts earned in previous years
by twice the total cost OF his once 10
date. The deposit of the cltys great
cash balances. which have ranged from
500. 900. 900 to 100000 during the
past six months, is made no longer ac-
cordinr TO the within or personal Judg-
nent Of the Chamberlain, who mas com.
plete jurisdiction over this matter, put
IN conformance with published plan
which treats all repositories IN an I'M
personal, businesslike way. Speclai ell
fort has been made, with the co-opera-
ton of proper authorizes, TO protect
the CITY from depositing In excessive
. mounts in banks concerning whose
stability there is the slightest ques-
tion. As a further precaution a max,
imum of 20 per cent of capital ana
surplus has been set, beyond wnlch
denosits are not made, although the law
oilows tbe CITY to make deposits in
hanE nm TO so per cent of its capital
and surplus. an
nortunity for improving the city's busl-
ness methods. II must be borne IN
mind that city government has only
recently been regarded as a business
enterprise. During the last admins
tration the fusion borough presidents
cot an example of good administration,
which is being followed by the present
administration, both in borough gov
eminent as we'll as in city departments
Under Mayor Gaynor a number OF I'M
n,rtant improvements were made. we
are building upon these Improvements
and retaining every better device that
We found in satisfactory operation
This is the only way in which perma-
rent progress can be made. One ad-
must build on the work
of onother. and not seek to prove lts
achievements merely by demonstrating
the faulty character of the WORK OF
its predecessors.
Daring these six months we nave
not sought to point out the deiects OF
onr predecessors, but to seek rather the
advances that they made and TO go
forward upon them. In calling atleh
tion TO existing conditions that needed
a. he remedied, we have not done so
IN a desire TO reflect upon our prede-
cassors. but to indicate how vast is the
tosL Of establishing an effective gov
Sa,r,ent and how much remains TO De
Jnnn In these six months we realize
t uo@ only a beginning has been made.
W. have before us forty-two months
Gov further effort and Accomplishment
The City Government and the Schools
must say word regarding the
2oard Of Education. AS chairman OF
the, Committee on School inquiry l
snent a very large part OF my time as
p,esident Of the Board of Aldermen IN
Studying school questions. u Is not
80, ;ptention TO interfere in school ad-
illustration, but the school system ana
Tho city government must work TO-
cotber IL the schools are to be salts
fsctorily conducted. The Board OF Es-
t,mate Is called upon TO PROVIDE iunus
md the Mayor is responsible for APP
nnintments to the Board Of Education.
Tho Rosrd of Estimates work cannot
no wisely done, nor the Mayors selec-
tions wisely made unless they are
knsad mon some policy. For this rea,
SON the school inquiry was conducted
nd for the same reason we now nave
a standing committee of the Board OF
Estimate on educational matters.
As Mayor have sought TO keep IN
.o'nh WITH the work of the board. Be
eouss I realized that one Of the coming
Ideal changes in school admlnistra-
.;"n wilI he the introduction Of more
vocational training, recently gave a
weet 70 studying vocational schools
the West.
Some Pending Questions.
There are a number of great social
..,o~t;n,. which We must deal with IN