The sun., 1916-12-17
By JOHN PURROY Mitchell,
Mayor Of the City Of New York.

Mayor Of the City Of New York.
THE single aim Of this adminis-
tration has been to give the
people Of this city a clean gov.
eminent. which would render the
greatest amoun and variety Of service
for the collective public welfare and
at the same time maintain a sane,
businesslike management Of the pub
lc funds.
This has been a diflcult and serious
problem. When I became Mayor the
city owed more than a billion dollars.
Its borrowing power was practically
exhausted. Its taxpayers were COM
nitted to an annual contribution of
ISL, SOC. 900 for interest and amortiza-
ton OF the city's debt. In addition
mandatory laws compelled a further
outlay Of about $50, 000. 900 a year for
city purposes v e which the city au-
thorities had no control. Thus, be-
fore the city government could con-
slider a single departmental need 1t
was faced with ready made eXperdit-
ures of approximately 500, 900, 900.
Despite this handicap l believe that
the departments of the city govern
ment have rendered more service and
are doing better work than ever be-
fore, at lower cost to the taxpayers.
During these past three years We
have actually reduced the cost OF adj
ministration in the thirty departments
under the Jurisdiction of the Mayor
10y a total Of $1,000 below what 1t
= was on January !. 1914.
Almost for the first time in the his
tory Of this city the Police Department
has not been marred by scandal. That
department under almost every ad-
ministration has been the great stumb-
ing block. the point where one ad-
minlstration after another has come
to grief. the obstacle that has seemed
almost insurmountable In the way Of
success. In contrast with that pre-
vlous record there is now u new spirit
N the Police Department. The force
has found itself as an instrument for
public service. Its members nave de-
veloped "A new self-respect and have
earned and received anew the respect
OF this community.
The Fire Department is protecting
the lives and the property of the resi-
dents Of this city better than ever be-
fore, and that at a comparative cost
lower than ever before.
The city's streets have been kept
cleaner through a realization Of the
fact that the street cleaning of this
city is a business and scientiic prob
lem Of the first magnitude.
The departments Of Public Chari-
ties, OF Correction and OF Health have
rendered unprecedented service in
their respective fields Of public well
fare, The Charities Department has
been freed OF the paralyzing influences
which for years continued its institu-
tions and it's methods as relics of a
bygone age.
The Department OF Correction has
been administered in the light of every
sane and humane consideration. /
have desired to make that department
corrective in fact as we'll as in name,
TO mould 1t into an agency that would
make over the human derelicts sent to
rs institutions and send them back
INTO the community a little better able
70 take their places as citizens than
they were when committed by the
courts. l believe that that purpose
has in a great measure been accom-
pl!shcd.
The Health Department has sue
ceoded in making the public health n
public interest. Through its work in
public health education II has made