New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-25
Senator MilIs'S Letter to
Mayor Pledges Relief
for City.
CITIZENS FORM
NEW COMMITTEE
Decide to Call Mass Meeting
Soon-Hold Conference at
City Hall.

A citizens committee, 10 w n"""" :"
the Tux reduction committee OF the
CITY Of New York, representative OF all
horouchs and all occupations, was
formed Yesterday in movement TO
support legislation for the reduction
If the tax burden of the city. Inc
committee conferred with Mayor
Mitchell at the City Hall, approved his
legislative programme and decided 10
hold a mass meeting at time ana
place to be fixed later.
The citizens who constitute the com
roittee mot in the Woolworth Building
in replv 70 a call signed by William
II. Chiids. Alfred +. Marling. George
Gordon Battle, f. II. Outerbridge, Isaac
Y Seligman and Jesse Straus. Mr..
Childs was elected chairman. resolu-
tior in favor of taking "such steps as
may be necessary to impress upon the
Legislature the urgent need OF imme-
date relief for the city" was adopted
In his address before the Mayor at the
civ Hall. Mr. Childs said the commit
tee realized that a great injustice had
been done to the citizens or New YORK
CIV Inv many of the state laws relat-
inc TO state taxation, and that falr
readiustment was required by when
tho citv tax rate could be materially
reduced
Committee al City Hall.
I'VE have in our minds certain
methods for this committee to BRING 70
the citizens Of New York the definite
idea that these measures affect direct
IL and indirectly every citizen and ms
family" said Mr.. Childs, and shall Try
TO arouse the interests of the citizens
in that view. believing if they are once
aroused that this general programme
can be accomplished.
The Mayor declared he would be glad
10 address the proposed mass meeting.
He announced the receipt OF let-
ter Yesterday from Senator ogden l..
Mills, signed by fifteen Republican
members of the Legislature, who
pledged themselves TO support all but
two OF the measures suggested IN the
Mayors programme. The slgners oil
the letter were Senators Mis- george
Cromwell, Charles G.. Lockwood and As
semblymen August {: tlamman, George
Il. Brennan. Abram Ellenbogen. Alfred
u Rel. Leon Blocker. Hoffman Nick
erson. Nathan ID. Perlman, William i.
Simpson. +. A. Wells, Fred VI. Ahern.
Nathan D. Shapiro and Robert Nc
Marsh.
Letter from Senator Mills.
Referring to the Mills letter the
Mayor said:
"The bills which these men pledge
themselves to support constitute tht
major part of the programme when
have submitted to Senator Brown
committee. They cover all but two o.
the items in this programme offered
reducing the tax burden by S25,215,OOO,
or 81 points They also cover num-
Der Of bills over and above those in
volved in that programme. In certain
respects the proposal does not meet my
full views in one or two items; as, for
example, the suggestion that the home
rule control over salaries and expenses
shall be first submitted TO referendum.
The bills enumerated by the fifteen
Republican legislators which they
would support were:
Blns changing time foE collection Of taxes rom
May and November 70 January and july eIac'lns
the pay you 90 policy" into law. conierrns on
the cts power. subject % referendum. 10 III the
salaries q IFS o1cers and employees, ouer, thsL
SALARIES subject 20 referendum under control OF ths
Constitutional amendment making county bills in
Bill or bills giving control q all expenditures by
the Water supply Board Courthouse Board am
First District Public service Commission 70 te
CITY government. charging the state with inc regu
lafive expenses 81 The Public Service ComnlssloH
81 the First District. prohibiting further consiIn.
fion hy the state Of roads in cities and prohibiting
the maintenance % county roads ny tie state, =
peaiiug the so-caiicd state aid law.
Hi.'s 10 take over the ciiys normal schools and
maintain them ~ state expense % divide me aul'-
mobile az with tie counties. providins that am
additional excise tar Do divided between STATE ana
oify. 20 turn The sheriff fees ~ New YORK County
into the city treasury sb0li-hiug The civil JAN.
Bills giving The cts government power 20 coisoi-
date departments. providing for single Conmi,-
sioncr Of Accounts. providing for a central pur-
chase department fransfeylns the power 70 collect
water revenue from the Department ~ Water sup
Div Gas and Electricity 10 the Bureau FOR the Col.
lection Of TsIes. IN the Finance Depariin-L ana
The members Of the Tax Reduction