New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-27

examination by expert representatives
of both state and United States gov
Z eminent. The appraised value OF
/ the animals slaughtered was S5s6.lA2.
| These appraisals were made by rep
reSentatives of the United States gov
/ eminent and the government of the
State of New York The United States
/ government made an appropriation TO
pay one half Of this amount. The re
naming one-half of the value of such
animals so killed, to wit, $293,l1, -
the amount of the value of the claims
| that have been presented to this state
/ for payment and which have been
audited and approved as being correct.
4 There are other claims not vet audited
I for other animals already slaughtered
aggregating approximately $1,000.
Mayor Mitchell stated:
The appropriation Of $4,000 tor
the Educational Department. IN the
present supply bill is merely an at
tempt on the part OF the Legislature
20 date an increase back TO last Janu-
airy. when such increase should not be-
gin until next October.
Answer:
State Superintendent OF Education
John II. Finley states: This item is
not to meet an anticipated increase re-
aured for payments TO be made IN
October next.
Mayor Mitchell stated:
Last year the state hospitals in the
last three months of the fiscal year
were compelled to economic to the eX-
tent of S266.6S7. This was done with
out serious inconvenience TO the IN
mates of a single hospital. The Legis-
: Iature now proposes to give the money
I thus saved back to the hospitals, and,
I in addition, makes further appropra-
ton Of S350,O00 for the same purposes.
The appropriation is worked so that
the entire 100000 may be used to ere
ate new and unnecessary positions IN
each of the fourteen state hospitals.
Answer:
State Hospital Commissioner Morgan
states 1t is true, as alleged, That the
state hospitals were compelled TO
economic to the extent of S266,681 dur
ing the last fiscal year. 1t is not
true that this was done without serl-
Gus inconvenience to the inmates of the
institutions.
OF the S6l6.0OO asked for in the sup
plv bill the hospitals will expend only
/ Sl83. 900 for wages of employees, and 1t
does not contemplate creating any new
positions.
Mayor Mitchell stated:
In addition 10 this blanket appro-
priation for the state hospitals there
are appropriations for the various char
liable state institutions ostenslbly tor
deficiencies, but in reality for increases
in expenditures and salaries. For IN
stance, $4,000 is appropriated for the
Bedford ReformatOry.
Answer:
The increase Of $4,000 for the Bed
ford Reformatory is absolutely needed,
because seven new cottages Will shortly
be opened, which must be maintained.
Mayor Mitchell stated:
The construction bill appropriates
/ 100000 for the construction OF high
ways and for guarding and feeding
prisoners engaged in thIs work. Con.
victs can only work at a distance OF
thirty miles from the prison. Ten
thousand dollars would seem at this
! time to be a large appropriation for
the proposed purpose.
Answer:
Superintendent Of Prisons Riley
states: Only $4,000 is appropriated.
The statement indicates a lack Of
knowledge of the statute relating 10
the matter In the first place, convicts
NAV be employed in highway construc-
ton in any part of the State of New
York. the statute restricting such en-
ployment to distance OF thirty miles
from the prison having been repealed.
/ Mayor Mitchell stated:
The sum of 1872 600 is appropriated
/ in the construction bill for the
/ elimination of grade crossings. Under
| the law the grade crossing work
must be done and approved by the
/ Public Service Commission before a
single cent can be paid out of the
state treasury. in other words, at
least a year elapses. and often two
wears elapse. between the time that
the money for such work must be paid
out of the state treasury. Instead OF
needing more money for eliminating
grade crossings, the state does not need
the sum it already has on hand. For
instance. on October !, 1913, the sum
of S25O.OOO was available for grade
crossing purposes, and yet at the be
ginning Of the present fiscal year the
sum Of S247,3l919 was ill uneXpend-
ed. Until funds already available are
exhausted ! cannot see why the Legs-
lature should pile up $4,000 more to
lie idle perhaps for the next two years.
Answer:
Public Service Commission, %
Division. states: Such statement is
not in accordance with facts.
Mayor Mitchell stated:
Among the special bills not included
in the construction bin is an item
of 100000 for the completion
of the Mohansic State Hospital.
While am in hearty accord with
those who would increase the &C
commodations of our state hospitals,
1 believe that this appropriation Is
short-sighted and eXtravagant. There
are already on hand available funds to
give accommodation for 1000 add
tional patients in various state hospi-
tails.
Answer:
State Hospital Commission stated:
The fact that the overcrowding in the
institutions now approXimates 5000
with an annual increase averaging
about zoo. is sufficient TO show the abb
solute necessity of new institution.
The appropriation now available and
Lnexpended for additional accommoda-
lions will provide for SIP patients, and
y not 1000. as stated. This construction
is already under way, or contracts
therefor have been approved.
Mayor Mitchell, when shown the
statements last night, said: 80 far as
, / have read these remarks do not con-
! stitute an answer to my statement re-
garding direct taxation. When ! have
read them more thoroughly ! shall
issue d further statement, probably to-
morrow