The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-12
NEW YORK INQUIRY
BUBBLE IS BROKEN
"Finance Investigation" Grew
Out of Chance Remark Of
Senator Brown.
MAYOR WELCOMES PROBE

ALRASY, Feb. lit developed to-day
vestigation Of the financial condition of
the New York city government was
based only upon a confidential talk Sen
ator Elon r. Brown had yesterday with
newspaper correspondents. In a gen
eral discussion Senator Brown remarked
that II he was New York CITY SEN
ator he would look into the question
of city expenditures in connection with
the high tax rate. stating that In his
opinion city expenditures we're too high.
II not exorbitant.
Senator Brown was surprised to-day
to learn what a storm his little talk Of
yesterday had aroused among the New
York city officials. He said his attitude
was the same as that expressed yes
terday.
about such an investigation except what
he had read In the newspapers and he
mad no comment TO make upon II.
Speaker Thaddeus G. Sweet did not
look with much favor upon IT, Chair
man Macdonald of the House Ways ana
Means Committee was fatty opposed to
such an nvesti cation. Senator Robert
+. Wagner and Assemblyman Alfred
Smith, the Democratic leaders, thought
that the Legislature should not inter-
fcre. though they were not defending
New York city expenditures.
81 think any such investigation would
be a very drastic move" said Speaker
Sweet. THE only ground that can see
that would jusrdfy such an investigation
would he the possibility that the State q
| credit might be endangered by the city's
/ extravaganza"
senator Sage of Albany, chairman o.
the Finance Committee, and Senator
/ George f. Argetsinger Of Rochester
chairman of the cities Committee, knew
nothing about such a proposed investi
cation
Mayor Mitchell, Comptroller Prender'
CAST and President McAneny OF tn
Board OF Aldermen welcome a Legislative
investigation OF the financial affairs o
the city. They said yesterday that sucl
an Investigation would result In grea
benefit to the city by assuring municipa
control OF all expenditures.
Let them investigate" said tn
Mayor. They will ind everything al
right Such an investigation will dem
OnStTate the necessity TOT nome RUE II
New York city, and the removal o
mandatory legislation now requiring tn
city to pay certain bills without dis
erection"
At the meeting OF the Board OF Esti
mate resolution prepared by Preslden
McAneny was passed unanimously call
ing on the Corporation Counsel to pre-
pare for submission to the Legislator
bill granting to the Board OF EST
mate and Apportionment the right an
power to fix the salaries OF all officers o
employees paid from the city treasury
including the courts and the Departmen
OF Education, but excepting elective of
GERS and further granting to the boar
the power to determine the number G
T. all such officers or employees"
. Members of the administration hay
: pointed out that OF a $500, 900. 900 buc
> get the city has discretionary powt
over only $40 1000 900, It being mands
. tory on the Board OF Estimate to pr,
) vide the remainder for expenses r,
quired by legislative enactments and
9 meet the interest charges on the cit
= debt.
e "If the Legislature proposes to e.
e the truth for its own guidance, and
4 guided by II when the committee go,
T. back" said Mr.. McAneny, ut would
k very fortunate thing for the city. Sue
an investigation will show that with
Z It's power the city has done the be
= it could with its finances, and that
r Il were given a larger measure of re-
= home rule 1t could do considerably be
= ter II might prove q real aid NJ
should be welcomed"