New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-16
Senator Brown Objects to
Mitchel's Advice on
States Budget.
SEES S75,OOO,OOO
EXPENSES COMING
Appropriations Sure to Reach
That Sum in Five Years and
Taxes Must Grow.
-. 80 cnrr..nnrden, ., m, rrIbune J

Albany, April Ex-senator Elon K.
Brown. in tart letter to Mayor
Mitchell, replying TO the lstter's letter
of Monday. calls the Mayors suggested
plan Of financing the state to avoid
direct tax equivalent 10 kting checks,
and declares at involves a juggling in
state fnanccs." ~
Senator Brown objects to Mayor
Mitchell Offering advice at distance
ain relation to specific items without
any consideration Of the evidence no"
in the hands Of the FINANCE Co"-
mittee."
81 could as we'll take the budget OF
tho CITY Of New York the Senator
writes. land point out to you the eX-
travaeance and inproprieues when
believe you could correct.
"Your attempted survey OF the appro-
priations for the years 1914 ana 1919 Is
so grossly inaccurate as TO pane re-
plv in q letter. For instance, you say
THE state could increase last year
appropriations by S2,50O.O0O and still
avoid a direct tax You had ALREADY
stated that the appropriations la las'
wear amounted 10 S49'4Ol'oZ "a ne
revenue Of that year amounted TO S42'-
400 thlU IL mas AdlltlA VA N4'i' 49,
owing TO the depression IN business,
end was estimated by tn Controller a.
S3S 600 900. This would leave dehclt,
If the appropriations were held TINS
wear az SAG, 100000, Of Sll 100000.
Drew on This Years Budget.
"Tbe fax budget Of the state was
kept a, s49,000,OOO last year by making
forced loans from the budget OF TINS
wear Of at least S1l,O0OO00, and prob
ably Sl3,O00O00
The Controllers books show to-day
that unless we levy at least S5,O00,ooV
of new taxation the direct tax Will eN-
coed SlS.OOO.0OO this year"
Senator Brown chides the Mayor for
basing some Of his charges on appro
priation bills which have passed only
the Assembly, calling his attention 70
the fact that the bills must pass ootn
houses and be signed by the Governor
before becoming laws
The Senator also tells the Mayor
that his proposal 10 raise S4'OoO'oUo
for barge canal contracts IN a coma,
tional tax rate is impractlcable ana
probably impossible under the ConSu-
tuition.
81 called your attention IN our con
versation." says Senator brown, 10
the 01TeTenl voices ItdNiiilH 80
tho Citv Of New York in relation TO
Tho financial polic- here. | am now
receiving telegrams from leading or
parizations Of the City OF New YORK
urging an appropriation this year OF
$500. 600 for canal construction. me
last one signed by the Merchants As
ISOLATION OF New York. As this de-
n2nds a straightout direct tax, ] am
SIN moro confused in relation 70 'he
attitude Of YOUR citizens.
Senator Brown quotes a statement
OF Governor Glynn given To- the press
April 27, 1914, in which Mr.. 1'ynh
made it plain that direct tax was
likely this year.
Promises Economy.
"Nv utmost endeavor." Senator
Brown concludes, "will be given Il
keeping the tax rate this year TO the
lowest point consistent with prevent
ing waste and loss to tho state IN
teTests in the branches OF govern
ment and enterprises to when II l'
irrevocably committed. and your ahN
iety TO avoid the added burden upoI
the citv Of New York in its presen
financial distress furnishes an adde'
motive for energetic action.
81 shall give to the press for early
nubIication a statement showing thC
reasons for the great growth in The
states expenditures and the lmpossl
bility Of holding appropriations unde'
the states present commitments a
their present figure. While they Wi
he in the neighborhood Of S6OOOoOO'
this year. they are sure 10 reach SO,
100000 within five years.
"Rehcf to the state and TO the cit
cannot come from doubtful and tenn
porary expedents to postpone obliga
tions already assumed, but must come
If at all. from new sources Of taxa
ton"
City Can't Suffer This Year.
Mavor MitchePs letter to Governo
Whitman proposing q plan for ralsln
money for canal purposes was sub
mitted to Attorney General Woodbur
for an opinion this morning. NJ
Woodbury. replied tonight in a Ion
letter to the Governor, saying. in part
"The great cry of New York CITY
TO he relieved from a direct state Ia
this year Let US look at this situate
for q moment.
Under the charter of the City
New York the assessment rolls arc r.
ouired to be completed and delivcrC
10 the Board OF Aldermen on the fir
dav Of March, and on or before u
2Sth dav of March the taxes are levie
the warrant for their collection a
tacbed. and the rolls delivered TO Il
Receiver Of Taxes for the collection
the taxes. Thus it will be seen III
il is impossible for the City Of Nc
York to be burdened this year by al
additions on account Of taxes impos
bv the present Legislature.
"naSmuch as there was no dire
tax levied by the Legislature last We!
NJ il follows that in the taxes levied +
the current year in the City Of \,
York no state tax will, or can be
cluded"