New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-28
OF AZ Relief Measures
Prepared by Administra-
ton Sixteen Passed.
ADVISORY COUNCIL
ON PROGRAMME
II Also Issues for Landlords
List of Bills That Be-
came Law.


city administration. some OF which were
included within Senator Browns relief
for the city. there have been passed and
approved either by Mayor Mitchell or by
Governor Whitman sixteen bills. The
Advisory Council of Real Estate Inter
csts has prepared list of these bills
for the information Of taxpayers.
III the Mayors entire programme had
been carried out it was anticipated that
there would have been a reduction in
the cjty's tax rate Of 81 points. or of
s25275OO0 I'm the 1917 budget" says the
council. Senator Browns programme
provided for a reduction in the tax levy
Of Sl2.90OoOO.
There were two bills which were not
introduced into the Legislature by the
city administration, the first giving the
Board Of Aldermen power to fix salaries
Of officers and employees, and the sec
ond giving the Board Of Estimate
bower TO fix the number Of officers 20
be paid from the city treasury. Twen-
ty-three bills died in the various COM
mittees OF the Senate and Assembly
end the twenty-fourth, which related
20 referendum with regard 70 certain
positions in the city salary roll,
amounting TO S1,SO0,OOO, was vetoed by
the Mayor on the ground that the ref
crendum would cost much more than
the reduction in salaries would Offset.
The bills, as finally passed, arc as FOL
lows:
Chapter ST., Of the laws of 1918
providing for the distribution between
the city and the counties of the state
Of the moneys received from motor
vehicle license fees. This viii give
20 New York City from 100000 to
100000, which will be used for the
purpose of reduction of taxes.
Chapter 525, providing that the
Sheriff of the County of New York
shall not receive as part of his com
pensation. after the expiration OF the
term of the present incumbent, any fees
in addition to his salary. This VIII mean
that the 100000 fees now going 10 the
Sheriff Of New York County will be
given TO the city. and he will receive
a salary, as do the sheritfs in the other
counties. the salary for New York be-
ing $4,000.
Chapter 51l, granting to the Board
Of Estimate and AppOrtiOnment control
of all expense of the New York County
Court House Board.
Chapter $40, providing that the state
shall not hereafter construct or i'm
prove highways TO connect streets or
highways with second and third class
cities which have been improved with
county highways.
Chapter 459, providing that the state
shall not hereafter contribute TO the
expense Of maintaining county roads.
Chapter 461. providing that no state
or county highway shall hereafter be
constructed through second or third
class cities, and that such highways
within q village shall be Of the width
and type of construction as outside
village, unless greater width and type
arc desired by the municipality, IN
which case the additional expense is to
be borne by the village.
Reduces Taxpayers Bills.
Chapter 572, providing that after
July !, 1917, the salaries and expenses
incurred by the Public Service Commis-
sion in the City of New York in the
performance Of other than city func-
lions shall be borne by the state, in
stead of being paid by the city, as at
present. This Will mean saving OF
$780, 900
Chapter 52s. providing for a Depart
ment Of Plants and Structures I'm place
of the present Department of Bridges.
The Department Of Bridges, i'm addl-
ton 20 having supervision over the
various bridges. will have control over
construction and maintenance and re-
pairs Of all other buildings and struct-
ures belonging 20 the city. Much OF
this work is now being done by the
Police. Street Cleaning. Park. Public
Charities, Correction. Fire and Hos
pital departments. This means saw
ing OF about SS0O,OOO.
Chapter 6l5. providing by statute for
the enforcement Of the pay-as-you-go
policy. as outlined IN n resolution
adopted in 1914 by the present Board of
Estimate and Apportioument.
Chapter 1l2, reenacting Chapter 593
Of the laws Of 1915 with regard 10 con-
demnaton Of streets and parks. During
the last session of the 1915 Legls laturc
there was q law enacted and passed
subsequent to Chapter 593 which some
what obscures the real purpose Of the
requirements IN excess COMBINATIONS.
Under these circumstances 10 was
thought wise by the city administra-
ton TO rcenact the law as originally
drafted so as TO remove any doubt as
to its provisions.
Chapter 5Sl. repeating Section 4S OF
the tax law relating 10 car licenses
over bridges. Section 4S of the tax law
has been construed by the courts so as
20 permit public service corporations 10
deduct from their taxes the amount OF
franchise tax which they pay TO the
state. This practically gives them their
franchises without charge. II was
never intended that public service cor
porations could obtain public fran
chises without proper compensation 70
the state OF the city, so that the result
Of the repeal of this section of the tax
law will bring into the city and state
treasury taxes now rightfully due be
cause Of the franchises exercised by
these public service corporations.
Chapter psf, giving the Mayor the
privilege and right to appoint the chair
man of the Board of Parole. and like
wise providing that the chairman shall
receive compensation for MS services.
Chapter 5l7, providing that there
ali BE one Commissioner Of Accounts
in place Of two. There will be no radi-
cal saving By this law, but IT Will be IN
the interests Of efficiency.
Cbapter 500. The Commissioner OF
Correction under this law Will have
the right TO deS ignate institutions as
mart Of the city penitentiary. Al pres
ont the law requires All persons 10 be
scnt 10 Blackwelrs Island before beng
designated 10 any other institution. 10y
lending them direct to the various
nensl institutions economies ln time
and money may be effected.
Cbspter 4q2, providing that the JurlS,