The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-06-24
CITY 100000 OVER
CHARITY ALLOWANCE
Comptroller Makes Charge and
Kingsbury Admits the
Extra Expenditure.
DEFENDED BY THE MAYOR

A charge by Comptroller Prendergast
n an admission by Charities Commits
sioner Klngsbury that he tMr. Kings
bury) had already exceeded his 1915
budget allowance by 5000, 900 set the
city government wheels TO whirring yes
terday. Mayor Mitchell said the ex-
penditure by the Commissioner was
warranted. The situation was enlivened
by the threat of a lawyer representing
persons and Arms who have not been
paid for supplies to sue Mr.. Kingsbury
personally on the unpaid bills.
1T Is true" said Mr.. klngsbury in
a statement. that | was obliged to ex-
ceed my budget to the extent Of al
most $500. 900. and for this I assume full
responsibility. But 1t is my duty as
overseer of the poor. Notwithstanding
the absence OF appropriations, to pro-
vide the poor with the necessities Of life.
1T is, however. not an unusual thing
for his department to exceed its budget.
In fact the occurrence is so frequent
that 1t has IN the past become almost
a recognized custom for the Department
u 'litti AA' ~ NN''' 10 u htAa
It Is not unknown in other departments.
Nevertheless It should not be done. The
appropriation should be adequate I'm
order that 1t may not he necessary TO
violate the Charter IN this regard.
Never in the history OF this II
try, perhaps never In the history OF
the world, has there been so severe a
strain upon the resources OF public and
private charities as exists since the out
break OF the European war.
During the year 1914, through its
Department Of Charities. the city housed
and fed IA daily average of over 1000
more people than IN the year 1913. The
city fed these 1000 people not pro-
yided for in the budget OF 1914 with
out the expenditure of a single addi-
tlonal dollar for food.
IF the budget makers had foreseen
the greatly augmented census for 1914
they would have appropriated approxi-
mately 1925 900 more for o alone
han was actually provided In that FUND
The Mayor said the matter had been
brought before tho Board of Estimate
and that all OF the members were fully
aware Of the extra expenses incurred
by Commissioners kingsbury during the
winter. but that as yet no way had been
found TO meet the expenditure. The
Mayor said he had arranged with
Comptroller Prendergast for a confer
ence to adjust the matter.
II Is the gossip of administration
circles that the Comptroller still feels
bitter toward Mr.. Klngsbury because
he helped TO defeat the Comptroller for
the Progressive nomination for Governor
the yea oscar Straus ran on the ticket.
II is said the Comptroller promised the
Mayor he would forget any grudge ne
might nave Rad against the Charities
Com mtaSiDrar Mr. LipYabnrNFS friandg
say IL there was such an agreement IL
was never kept.
There Is absolutely no excuse for the
unauthorized expenditure of Commits
sioner kingsbury." Mr.. Prendergast said.
Il would have stretched a point II the
supplies had been for maintenance OF
dependents exclusively"
II was learned At the Charities De-
pertinent In the Municipal Building yes
terday that the excess money was spent
for wearing apparel, blankets and bed
ding.