New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-10
MAYOR WANTS IDLE
PUT TO WORK SOON
Asks Department Heads to
Begin improvements
When Possible.
DOES NOT, HOWEVER,
WISH TO MAKE JOBS
Controller Prendergast Opposes
PIan-Raps Charities Head
for Seeking More Cash.

In an attempt 20 relieve the unem-
ployment situation. II possible, Mayor
Mitchell addressed a letter 10 the mead
of every city department yesterday.
He said he did not want them TO make
work, but TO begin as soon as posslpie
such improvements "a they had ALREADY
MANNED and which could be done IN the
winter months.
Controller Prondergsst is not ~ &C.
cord with the ideas Of the Mayor ana
: City Chamberlain Bruere as TO the cN-
/ tent TO which the city should 20 IN th2
present situation. He stated frankly
Yesterday he did not believe the CITY
of New York should assume the re-
sponsibility for unemployment. In
/ speaking of the matter he referred
rather sharply to some Of those VINO
have been advocating such measures
He did not mention any names.
THE city has no such responsibility
as a municipal corporation said the
/ Controller. Some we'll intentloned
people with passion for advertising
themselves are giving out information,
much OF il entirely misleading. and at
tempting to create situation when
could have no other effect than forcing
the city 10 assume the financial burdens
of the distress caused by economic con-
ditions.
81 believe it is my duty as the city s
financial officer 70 stand in the breach
against what | believe 10 be wrong
policy. do not believe that | am with
out support of my attitude IN the Board
of Estimate and Apportionment. !
have resented the attempts TO make IL
appear that the city is delaying pubic
work. and | assert that no such delay
has been INDUCED in and that calm
Investigation of the facts that is, II
calmness is possible among some PEG
pIe-will vindicate this statement III
every respect
The Controller pointed out yesterday
that normally the city will spend be
tween S3O.0OO,O00 and S35.OOO,OOO for
public Improvements in the next SIX
months. OF that amount Sl2,OOo'Ooo
will 20 for subways.
Il developed yesterday that at the
executive session Of the Board OF Esti,
mate on Friday the Controller had
sharply criticised Commissioner Kings
bury of the Department OF Charities
for unbusinesslike methods IN his relief
work -,
81 did charge the Commissioner with
having exceeded his appropriation" the
Controller said yesterday, "and enter
ing into obligations for which there
we're no appropriations. My statement
was absolutely true, and proof OF II
consists in the applications now pend
ing before the Board of Aldermen for
special revenue bonds to pay for goods
purchased by the Department OF Public
Charities. and for which it had no ap-
propriations.'
Commissioner Kingsbury holds that
he was authorized TO make the pur-
chases by an opinion from the Cor
poration Counsel's Office.
II seems the Controller opposed
suggestion made by COMMISSIONS.
Kingsbury at the executive session or
the Board Of Estimate that $4,000 be
transferred TO his department from the
funds OF that board TO enable him TO
care for 1000 more men at the farm
colony on Staten Island.
When President McAneny suggested
that the making Of such expenditures
from the funds Of the Department OF
Charities be referred TO the Committee
on Social Welfare Controller Prender-
CAST insisted that he should be added
TO that standing committee for that
particular matter.