New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-17
New York Still Holds the Bag.

Mayor Mitchel's protest about the size
and items Of the annual appropriations
bill at Albany is one which should be
needed, not only in the interest Of the over
burdened taxpayers Of this city, but OF the
state at large. The failure of the budget
makers TO reduce the total OF their pro-
posed appropriations bears particularly
hard on New York City, for, as the Mayor
points out, if the bill goes through in its
present shape all the revenue there Is IN
sight. and then some, will be needed TO
meet the appropriations thus made
That will mean either a direct tax or
the raising of additional sums by indirect
taxation. Since, for political reasons, the
legislative majority has decided not to levy
a direct tax, every cent which can be
squeezed out Of indirect taxation Will be
taken by the state authorities. In that
case this city's hope of having the state
nav the regulatory expenses of the Public
Service Commission and the upkeep of nor
NAL schools here will go a-glimmerlng.
And there will be no refund from the state
10 the city for automobile licenses, excise
tax or stock transfer tax, such as the
Mayor has advocated and the taxpayers
have hoped for.
In short, unless the lawmakers are will
ing to practise sharper economy than their
bill calls for, this city seems unlikely to
obtain any actual financial relief this year
save the fact that it will not have to pro
vide its share Of direct tax. New York
deserves better treatment than that. 1t
expects to have a good part, at least, Of
Senator Browns legislative programme en-
acted into law But what good are bills
designed to relieve the city Of some of its
burdens if the money which the state
should pay for that purpose is not avail
able?
The total appropriations Of tho state
have reached a staggering figure. If the
money were carefully spent-spent TO pro-
duce as good results as corporation de-
mands from expenditures in its business
the total would be much less; or, for the
present expenditure, New York State
would be vastly better governed common
wealth An appropriation bill now includes
big percentage Of pork" Local improve
ments are charged TO the state for political
reasons; jobs are created and salaries
raised to take care Of political heelers. De
partment expenses are multiplied without
adequate result.
Senator Horizons recent investigation of
the civil service showed how inadequately
and extensively the routine business of the
state is conducted. Yet the Legislature
this year refused to pass bill for decent
honest budget system, so the public might
know how its money was being spent, and
grudgingly consented TO make few slight
very slight-improvements in the pres
ent vicious system Of parcelling out the
states funds with great show Of adopt
ing a reform.
New York Citys financial fate is in the
hands of the lawmakers If they consider
It to be good politics they may grant some
relief-not as a matter OF right and JUS
tice, but as a matter Of expediency. Other
wise, despite the Mayors protests and the
protests Of all the taxpayers here, the in
fated appropriations bill will be adopted
and everybody here may whistle.
Until there is a fair and honest bulge
system there will be no way Of enforcing
an honest appropriations bill. and there
never will be decent budget system unit
the entire state is aroused TO the "cconom!
issue" as a mere question of dollars anC
cents has not yet been able TO arouse thi
political generation.