The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-06-23
MAYOR REBUFFED
ON HOME PLAN
Convention Leaders Tell Him
They Oppose Cities Franz
ing Own Charters.
WILL GIVE SOME AID

ALBANY, June 22.-Chairman Seth
Low and other members Of the Consti-
%tutional Convention Committee on Cities
at the hearing to-day on home rule
made II plain to Mayor Mitchell. Comp
troller Prendergast, President McAneny
Of the Board Of Aldermen and Corpora
ton Counsel Polk that they we're op-
posed to giving cities the power to frame
their own charters. which was one OF
the suggestions made by the conference
OF Mayors.
While Chairman Low explained that
his committee expects to report a home
rule amendment which will go far
toward the ends aimed at by the Mayor.
especially to malke them Independent
OF mandatory financial legislation from
Albany, II was demonstrated At the
hearing that the committee IL not in
clined to give cities complete power over
public utilities. The committee believes
tina the regulation Of these corporations
should continue as at present, with the
Public Service Commissions.
The New York city officials pointed
out that the least that was expected
by the cities from the convention was
a provision giving them complete con-
tro! OF their financial affairs. the de-
termination OF the number Of the city
employees and their salaries and all
other financial questions free from the
interference OF tho Legislature.
Continue Debt Limit.
They all agreed that the New York
city 10 per cent. debt limitation in the
present Constitution should be con-
tinued.
Mayor Mitchell aid that the repre-
sentatves Of ffty-fve cities. including
New York. favored the home rule
amendment prepared At the conference
OF Mayors.
Even to accomplish minor admin
istrative changes In the city govern
ment now" said the Mayor. I'VE have
to come 10 Albany. This situation was
due originally to the fact that the Leg
islature wished to keep its power over
the cities because for years they were
c%orruptly governed.
Through interference from Albany
New York city had saddled upon Il q
mandatory 5000 900 increase In teach
ers' salaries and half a dozen pension
funds which are nearly bankrupt be-
cause OF bad financial engagement.
which the city must now make good.
state SIN in Control.
I'VE ara now engaged In developing
the city through the establishment of
terminals. transportation facilities and
markets and we should a a free hand.
Then the Legislature M ne State Of
fcers would have more time 20 devote
to the activities Of the State, which
are increasing all tho time.
I'VE should have complete control OF
the organization Of city departments and
bureaus. the personnel and salaries. and
complete control Of every phase OF city
business, including the educa tional en-
ployees. the control Of municipal cleo
lions. the police power. the exercise of
eminent domain. the right to issue bonds,
the acquisition and operation Of public
utilities and . limited control over sue
operations and the granting OF fran
chises.
'Of course the State would retain a
general control over the cities through
the passage of uniform laws affecting
education. public service corporations,
health. police and like general functions
OF government. In New York city II
We nH0 tho nOIfF6 Tul6 utbiTcu we WNulu
have one instead Of four commissioners
OF Parks, the Coroners would be out OF
office at once. the city would save millions
through new garbage and refuse disposal
systems and other administrative
changes would he made which Would
save the city millions OF dollars. now
impossible because bills TO accomplish
such projects fail in the Legislature here
at Albany.
The city IL now paying 1880, 900 in
pensions. The business In the county
offices in New York city Ia decreasing.
but the expenses are increasing rs per
cent of the payroll in the county offices
which we must include in our city
budget 10 the result OF mandatory legis-
lation from Albany.
IF We had home rule the teachers
would never he 80 unlonized that the
Board of Estimate would be afraid TO
fix their salaries with Justice 70 the
teachers. The special interests, such AZ
the fremen, the policemen and the
teachers. can get easier treatment in
bership OF the present unwieldy. top
heavy Board OF Education should be
reduced and the Board OF Estimate
should have control OF their expendi-
lures"
President McAneny Endorsed ma posi-
ton taken by Mayor Mitchell. but
thought that tho regulation and con-
troll OF public utilities hould continue
in the control OF the Public Service ON
mission, while believing that the con-
struction OF subways in New York city
was essentially n city function.
Comptroller Prendergast declared that
New York city needed relief through n
home rule provision in the Constitution
which would safeguard her finances