The sun., 1915-05-23
City Chamberlain Says Solution Must
Come Through Turning Government
Over to a Trained Manager

stewardship as never before, tax.
payers are aroused to an appreciation
Of the fundamental fact that 1t docs
not pay business men to carry on their
financial activities in a city Of s.ovenly
and inefficient and consequently over
expensive government. For the last
ten years New York's expenditures
have been growing up to her popula-
ton; in the next ten years our popu-
lation will grow up to our expendi-
lures"
Il suppose II Is the magnitude OF
these past expenditures which presses
Just now upon the taxpayer" ven-
tured the reporter.
"The magnificent magnitude OF
them" assented the Chamberlain with
a wide gesture. "Since consolidation
under our new Charter we have been
spending vast sums for new furnish
ings for the greatest city in the world.
I'VE have installed a new system
of transportation in our subways: We
have installed q new water system of
unparalleled costliness and magni-
tude. collecting and conveying water
from the Catskill Mountains to our
city. We have paved miles upon
miles Of new streets. We have built
new city college and scores Of modern
schoolhouses; We have also completed
the most magnificent public library in
the world and expanded its museums
Of art and natural history.
"In short" cried Mr.. Bruere. re-
peating the expansive gesture which
seemed to embrace both the graft
and the glory Of the greater city. I'm
short New York has made itself an
imperial city. Now with its house
fairly built 1t has seriously set about
the task of rearranging its internal
economy so that its magnificent re-
sources shall be adequate to the self
sustaining upkeep and running OF its
establishment.
mo one any longer denies that New
York has been extravagant. The fact
is being faced: and for the first time II
is being faced not with a sporadic
burst of ephemeral reform. born Of
prediction promises, but with con-
scientious curative methods Of finance
based upon facts demonstrated rather
than theories idly dreamed Of. What
We are now seeking is the cure for
past extravaganza and present tax
rate dnherited tax rates that are the
painful legacy OF that extravagance)
in better MANAGEMENT and closer
outstanding Of our resources"
Mr.. Bruere attaches little impor-
tance TO the comparison made in Mr..
Grogan's report between the expendi-
lures Of New York and those Of other
cities.
New York" he said when pressed
to account for the difference. lis in a
class by itself. 1t has spent more
money than any of the great cities
mentioned: yes. but it has achieved
more substantial return.
I'm the actual governmental cost Of
our city the two items that loom
biggest are those for educational pur-
poses and for the carrying OF the
city's debt. The Department Of Edu-
cation spent last year s42,4+9.57S.45,
more than one-fifth of the cost Of
running the whole city.
1T has been estimated that l6 per
cent. OF our school children are foreign
born. New York is pledged to give
the education necessary for citizen
ship to an enormous number Of Amer
leans in the making This is work
that we do for all America and II Is
work Of the finest and most profitable
character
1T Is the-the-" For the first