The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-21
DISASTER IN DIRECT
TAX, SAYS MAYOR
Impost Of S13.0OO.OO0 on CITY
Sure TO Bring Woe.
He Asserts.
CALLS ON CITIZENS TO ACT

Having heard nothing from ALBANY n
indicate that the Republicans are 70 en-.
ing In their purpose to levy an 81.
600, 900 direct tax Mayor Mi'che mad.
ono more attempt yesterday to .mp~es,
upon the public and the Leg slaturs n,
serious situation in which the 'mp..
would place New York city
Either tho tax rate must he raised
to . prohibitive point" he said "or the
city must eliminate 100000 cts shaf.
OF the taxi from the amour, 1t now
spends for tho protection, comfort and
welfare OF Its own citizens
II the tax rate Ia raised sixteen
points. as 1t would be by the proposed
direct tax. the first result will 10 a de-
crease In the earning power OF New Yo-.
city's real estate This OF course will
result In real estate depression, which
can only be remedied by increase in rent
10 every rent payer in tho city. II th!,
first alternative 10 decided upon ia
eventual effect will be to increase ,hs
rent paid in every dwelling and Office
building in New York city.
BAD Either way.
ION the other hand. n instead Of
raising the tax rate the city authorities
determine to reduce the service o. It's
various departments as equally distress.
ing result must follow.
Let mo point out what $4,000, 900
81 -, nt-l-
municipal activities.
The yearly cost OF the Health Depas,.
ment Is $3,i3,4s222 Of tho Charities
Department A,o0s. ss9.ls. OF the Corrsc
ton Department Sl,3l2.2?0.5l, Of Belle
vue and Allied Hospitals Sl.45s. $50 80, OF
the Park Department S2,4sl.55057 The
total yearly cost OF maintaining thss.
I'VE municipal departments Ia sl2.6s5..
1895. Consequently even II New York
city felt constrained to abolish these FIVE
departments, II would still be $4,000
short of making up the deficiency created
by It's share OF an unnecessary state taA
of $4,000 900.
III instead OF economiz!ns along ,hee.
line. the city should turn to the Police
Department for retrenchmen, and
abolish the salary OF every police patrol
man in the greater city this cut vould
be 81 400. 900 short OF the required
sl3,00O,000. II the city should at,emp,
a reduction in It's Fire Department, It
could abolish the entire department.
with its yearly cost for maintenance
and salaries Of &s.24S.o0O, and (, woull
still be $4,000. 900 short OF It's share o,
the cost OF Unnecessary state ex3endi.
lures.
What Could he Done With Money
Again, the city could abolish ,,s day
high schools, Its public libraries, rs
child hygiene work in school tenemea:s
It's milk stations. It's vocational eiucd
ton. the College OF the City OF New York
and Hunter College. It's fire prevention
work, its kindergarten work an. .'s
tenement house inspection and ,ht
yearly saving would be more than
100000 short OF It's share OF the pro.
posed direct tax.
II instead OF turning $l3, 0oNu0.
over 10 the State for Increases p he
salaries Of State officials, for the create.
OF new positions for the ma!ntar4rc
/ of local upstate town roads and fl-
/ the dredging of FISH ponds for up-S,ats
Assemblymen the city should take this
sl3, 900, 900 and apply II to an iDcre lse
/ in its own educational facilities 4 could
/ construct twenty-s!X model schools 'or.
tanning forty-elght classrooms each a.
provide accommodation for $1,000 chill
/ dren.
with It's vast responsibilities Wit
the tremendous undertakings in sub
ways and a new water supply % T,''h
II has set its hands, New York city ha'
need OF every cent that can properly De
raised by taxation. II the Legs a'Jr"
can be led 10 see that New York G."
IL not in a position to ra.se II s.-c f."
cent not required by the aetna. expenses
Of the state we may be spared The pro.
posed drain upon the city's resources
Il suggest to the people OF New Yo'E
city in each Assembly and Senate d.
tr!Ct that they call the attention a.
their representatives al Albany 20 q"
situation I have endeavored 10 ou'.'r'
and request them, irrespective ~ par
20 protect the city whose interest. 10
are presumed 70 guard"