New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-03-07
III Feeling Over Tendency
to Clip Their Wings
Shown at City Hall.
IS STARTED BY
PAVING CONTRACTS
Doubt as to Their Right to APP
propriate Money, Says Con-
trOller Prendergast.

Feeling on the part OF the borough
away some OF their powers and centralize
them in the Board OF Estimate cropped
out at the meeting OF the board yester-
day. II resulted in wrangle over vart-
Gus items on the calendar and prolonged
the meeting until nearly > o'clock. At
times two or three members OF the board
were trying to talk al once.
Mayor Mitchell and Controller Prender-
CAST aroused the wrath OF the borough
presidents. while George McAneny, Presl-
dent of the Board OF Aldermen, though IN
harmony with most Of the plans for a
Capitalization OF powers. tried to pour
oil on the troubled waters.
The first clash CAME when Borough
President Marks wanted to know why a
resolution authorizing the borough presl-
dents 10 so ahead with their contracts
for street paving was not on the calen-
dsr. 1t has been usual TO give them one
half the amount expended the previous
year early in the season. in order that
they may have chance TO make con-
Of the ground. President Marks wanted
unanimous consent for the resolution
Mayor Mitchell and Controller Prender-
CAST objected. because one of the reforms
this year is that no appropriations shall
he made unless provision is made for
them on the calendar.
One after the other the borough presi-
dents objected 10 the way in which the
controllers Office had handled their re-
quests for pavement funds.
a borough president who comes here
asking for money is in no different posi-
ton than any other depa rtment Of the
city" said Controller Prendergast, bang
ing the table. AS matter Of fact there
is grave doubt as 10 whether the Dor
oush presidents who spend money should
st in this board and appropriate it
Doesn't a borough president know
more about il than clerk in the Con-
troller's office" asked President Con-
molly Of Queens.
no. half the time he doesn't" replied
the Controller.
President McAneny said the night Of the
borough presidents TO sit in the board
AGO. and that ss a matter Of fact they
had shown more savings in the last adj
miristIatiou than any OF the departments
Under the Mayor
'G am sorry started real conhagra-
ton" said the Controller.
Its only just started declared Presi-
dent Pounds OF Brooklyn with emphasis,
indicating that the borough presidents
would fight all the way for what they
consider their rights.
There was another wrangle when the
Controller explained why he had intro
duced two amendments 10 the charter at
Albany without first receiving the APP
prevail Of the board. They refer 20 as
sessrnent work done by the city, and
were sent 70 Albany last week without
reference 70 the board because further
delay would have made II impossible 10
cet consideration for them by the Legs
lature.
Another tempest was brought on when
BENJAMIN F. Weldon, head Of the Efiici-
ency and Budget Advisory Bureau of the
Board Of Estimate, started to explain the
resolution for it's transfer to the office or
the Commissioner OF Accounts.
You don't realize how sadly your
forces are disorganized." he started.
With one accord the borough presi-
dents. who assumed he was talking 70
them. protested. Mr.. Weldon explained
that he meant the stats OF the borough
presidents were too burdened with routine
work 10 compile efficiency records. lie
said he wanted 10 examine the depart
rnents under the Mayor, as well as those
Of the borough presidents.
II developed that the borough presi-
Dents are aiming 70 keep pace with the
Mayors power Of investigation granted IN
the bill for the establishment OF the De-
partnent OF Administration. 1t seems
that through the Controller they sent 10
Albany last week an amendment TO the
charter giving the Board OF Estimate
"fulI authority 10 make such eXamina-
lions OF the acts OF the different d.
visions OF the city government or com
mission. bureau OF Office receiving moneys
from the City OF New York as the public
interest may require"
The Controller requested YESTERDAY that
the board approve such amendment
Msvor Mitchell. q was thought. would
object. but no voice was raised against
the proposition. In connection with this
mower for the board. steps were taken 20
add three expert accountants and one ex-
aniiner 70 IT'S staff.