New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-15
MAYOR ATTACKS
DIRECT TAX AS
NOT NECESSARY
Says $18,550,O00 Could Be
Cut from Proposed
Appropriations.
mitchell JOINS
M'ANENY IN FIGHT
Picks Flaws In Impost After Ana
Lying State Figures and
Balancing Facts.

Any direct state tax IS unnecessary.
Mayor Mitchell declared last night he
had reached that conclusion after "a
careful and exhaustive analysis OF the
items of the proposed state budget"
81 consider it my duty, as Mayor OF
New York." he added, publicly TO call
the attention Of the people and of the
Legislature TO the crushing burden OF
taxes which these unnecessary appro-
priations would put upon the taxpayers
of the city and, in less measure, upon
the taxpayers of the rest of the state:
at is estimated that this city would
be called upon to raise 70 per cent or
any direct state tax"
In a long statement, he went into de-
tails Of the various items OF the gen
eral and special appropriation bills,
and pointed out what he considered
unnecessary and excessive estimates
and provisions. =,
Among the things pointed out by him
as an example of totally unnecessary
appropriations was an item in the con-
struction bill for 10000 for "remov-
ing stumps, dead timber and other Cd
structions from the Racquette River
and Pond in the town of Altamont,
I Franklin County"
IiShhOOkS Arouse hidSOis
T believe it is going too FAR, the
I Mayor commented, when an Assembly
man requests the state 10 appropriate
/ 10000 i'm order that his recreation
will not be spoiled by having his tsh,
hooks caught in the stumps and dead
timber in Racquette Pond. O.,
THE total appropriations for all
/ state purposes made by the Leglsla-
ture Of 1914 and by the Legislature OF
| 1919 at its special session amounted
TO s49,4O1, 527.74," declared Mr.. Mitchell.
"The proposed appropriations for the
| same purposes this year total 500,
662. an increase OF S20,3S4,1S4.26.
This increase is made up as FOL
lows:
] Last year the appropriation for the
general expenses Of government was
/ $40 pc. 548.25. The corresponding APP
propriation this year is $32,4l9,49l.
last year the supply bill appropria-
ton was S2,230,332O5. This year 1t
Is S4,951 1874.
Last year the appropriation for the
maintenance OF state and county roads
vas $2384,2SS.52. This year 1t amounts
to S3.e?4,277.
last year the state aid appro-
priation for the repair OF local town
roads was S1,Sl0,000. This year 1t Ia
S1.S6O,0OO.
Last year the contribution TO the
sinking fund was 1851 1882. This
year it is $9090,000.
Last year the appropriation for the
Workhouse Compensation Commission
was S35O,000. This year IL Is S425,000.
last year there was no census or
Constitutional Convention. This year
S965,000 is necessary for these pur-
poses.
Canal Slice Big One.
Last year canal construction was
financed, as II should be, from bond
issues. This year it is proposed to
spend S8,700,000 on canal construction
out of current revenues.
Last year the appropriations for
construction and other special pur-
poses, not enumerated above, amounted
to S4,673, 1898. This year such ap-
preparations amount to S7420,0 900.
Arguing that il was an unheard Of
and improper thing to finance any part
of the barge canal out of current reve-
nue., Mayor Mitchell suggested that If
$4,000. 900 or S8,700,000 was needed for
/ the work before bond issue refer
endum could be held, it could still be
done without the present levy Of di-
rect tax. His idea was that law could
be passed for a referendum providing
that part Of the proceeds of the bond
issue could be used for work done be
fore its passage.
At the same time a law could be
passed providing for a direct tax for
the amount needed for canal purposes
up TO February, providing that this tax
should not be levied unless the refer
endum for the bond issue failed to go
through. Immediately on the passage
of these bills the Controller could OBJ
tain the necessary amount by the