The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-29
SAYS STATEN ISLAND
PAYORS SECESSION
Borough President Van Name
Complains About Taxes 10
Brown Committee.
%UNFATRNESS rs CHARGED

Calvin D.. Van Name, President OF
Rictnnond borough, told the Brown legis.
islative committee yesterday that II
Staten Island had a chance to vote on
the question he believed II would de-
eide overw heliningly In favor Of secedins
from New York city. Mr.. Var Name
wanted II understood that he personally
is not a seccssionist. but he voiced an
emphatic complaint about the treat
ment Of che borough by various city de-
partments.
"The rate OF taxation levied m Rich
mond this year Is higher than on any
other borough" said the President.
Most OF the property is assessed at a
higher figure han II would bring at
either public or private sale. Several
departments. notably o OF Bridges.
Health and Parks. and the Public Ser
vice Commission. have failed utterly
o give Staten Island a proper return
for the taxes 1t pays.
I'm return for our tax payments for
tho support Of the Department OF
Bridges We have received two wooden
bridges. The operations Of the Health
Department on Staten Island should be
local. This is particularly true because
of our Isolated position. The Park De-
partment's activity in our borough is
confined to four village squares. There
Ia no tree planting because the regula-
lions are such that every tree planted
would cost about ~. And the many
millions OF dollars which We have ex-
pended with the Public Service Com
! mission are useless to Ricnmond bor-
ough."
In advocating that the Board of Esti-
mate be given authority to fix the sal
aries OF all county officials saw Judges.
| Mr.. Van Name went further than any
other representative Of the city adminis-
tratton VINO has appeared before the
committee. All heretofore had en-
| cepted all elective officials. Mr.. Van
( Name believed a referendum 10 decide
the question would be Of little AVIAN
| unless the people could he compelled to
vote.
Maurice T.. Connolly. President o.
Queens borough. suggested tnat tn
state Board of Regents or some othe,
body be authorized 10 settle disputes
between the Board Of Estimate and
the Board OF Education.
IL am opposed to fixing teachers sal
aries by statute" said MIR. Connolly.
The salaries should be suggested by
the Board of Education. but the sue-
gestions should he passed upon by the
financial authorities Of the city. Then
there should he some body, such a. the
board OF Regents. which would have
the fnai word. acting as a referee m
casa OF disagreements between the two.
do not think anybody has been able
TO show that "A "a wing would have been
effected had teachers salaries been fixed
solely by the local authorities
Mr.. Connolly was inclined to favor II
referendum to determine o many
county sala ries should be fixed by Local
authorities, out doubted whether the
average individual voter had given the
subtec, sufic emily close study to enable
him to pass upon Il intelliRentlN
There has been no real estate crisis.
but we have not Yet entirely recovered
from the boom OF 1907 and everybody
IL broke said Mr.. Connolly. still. the
real estat. men ar. not the only ones
TO be considered. The greatest burden
IL In the purchase of food AT prevailing
high pr ces,'
Mr. Connolly believed that fines col
lected from motorists should GO into the
city funds and that the city should par
ticipatc in the benefits OF the N.7oO,o 600
automobile license fees now paid TO the
State,
Lawson Purdy. president Of the De
partment OF Taxes and Assessments
was the last witness OF the day lie
read figures to show that although New
/, York city had three representative on
the State Board of Equal zation In 1918,
i've In 1914 and only three this wear, the
boards treatment " the city had been
increasingly fatr He said that whereas
the city's share IN the direct stat. -,
"a 1871. was ,S.s per cent II viii Il.
oulv is per cent. next year.
Mr.. Purdy found only slight cause tor
gr. evance against III. methods OF tan
! levy against city property. He com
planned, however. that there is much
greater laxi.y In the imposition of the
persona! property tax outside the city.