The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-30
ABOLITION OF MANY JOBS
IS G BY mitchell
Mayor Tells Legislative Committee He Favors Con-
s~0lidating Some Positions Also-Outlines Savings
Possible and New Boards He Would Form.

The abolition Of a number Of city and
county offices and the consolidation Of
others were urged by Mayor Mitchell be-
ore the Brown legislative committee yes
terday. The Mayor said that legisla-
ton embodyins these IDEAS would he
welcomed by the city administration.
His suggestions included
Abolition OF the FIVE offices Of Public
Administrator and the transference of
the work Of the departments to the City
Chamberlain.
Abolition Of the three offices Of Pub
lie Records and the transfer Of their
business to the City Clerk.
Abolition Of the county jail administra-
ton, placing the maintenance Of these
institutions in the hands Of the Commits
sioner Of Correction.
Consolidation Of the various offices
Of the Ave counties, save those OF Dis
trict Attorneys.
Inauguration of a system under which
the control of several more hospitals
will come under the direction of the
Health Department.
Consolidation Of the commissionership
Of ~ccounts with a newly created ad-
minlstrative office having constructive as
well as analytical powers.
Establishment Of a central supply pur-
chasing agency under control OF a board
OF purchase.
Establishment OF a department Of
maintenance OF plants and structures.
Possible establishment OF a central en-
cheering department.
Economy Promised by Mayor.
Even with the formation Of the new
departments, the Mayor explained. the
number Of official positions would be re-
duced and marked economy effected. He
again urged control by the Board OF
Estimate over the expenditures OF the
Public Service Commission n the re-
duction Of the Board OF Education to
nine members.
Senator Elon X. Brown questioned the
Mayor as 70 the a~dvisability OF a refer
endum to determine whether the people
Of New York city want local control OF
salaries.
First civ us the two Cromwell bills"
replied the Mayor. LET us act under
Their at once. Give us a chance to exer-
else the economies which they Will per-
nit and then have the people pass upon
the results In a referendum.
1T haven't any doubt that your con-
tentions are correct. logically and pract'-
cally," said Chairman Brown when the
question OF salary control was being dis
cussed. "You must remember. though.
hat the Legislature is bound to show
Difference TO the views OF the New York
city Senators and Representatives"
Then Senator Brown said. In Nnswer
to a question by the Mayor. that he had
no doubt that the Cromwell bills can be
enacted at the coming session II n ma
jority OF the city legislators support
them.
The Mayor wal on the stand nearly
Ave hours and devoted a considerable
part of the time to a demonstration Of
economies practised In departments over
whose budgets the Board OF Estimate
has control. Senator Brown pointed out
that by eason of the Charter provision
permitting the issue OF special revenue
bonds the budget does not in fact place
an entire check on departmental eX-
penditures. MIR. Michel asserted that
the city is limited TO an Issue of only
81. 200. 900 a year and that this admin
istration has never taken advantage OF
this provision. Senator Brown, however,