The sun., 1918-12-07
CRAIG AND WHITNEY
CLASH NOW Is WAR
Diplomatic Relations Broken
and Estimate Board Rejects
P. s. c. Requisition.
1919 SALARIES HELD UP
Hubert Accuses Comptroller
of Making Untrue State
ment About Letter.

Such diplomatic relations as existed
S-albeit II In a more or less strained
w~ay-bctween the Public Service
Commission and Comptroller Charles
l.. Craig were broken yesterday when
the latter introduced resolutions In the
Board Of Estimate recommending that
the commissions requisition for 81
s99.966 with which to pay salaries and
perform its duties for 1919 be re-
tected in the form In which II was
presented.
The action precipitated a deluge of
statements containing charges and
countercharges from the Comptroller
and Public Service Commissioner
Whitney in which Mayor Hylsn did
not escape, although he took little
part In yesterdays discussions In the
Estimate Board.
Comptroller Craig also reported un-
favorably on the commissioner requi-
sitions, totalling about $780, 900 900, for
payment OF construction OF rapid
transit lines in 1919. n introduced
resolutions denying the commissions
requests. Mr.. Craig held that the re-
quests were not presented in statutory
form, and until they were he urged
that nc appropriation whatever be
made for the payment Of salaries or
expenses OF the commission for 1919.
During the Estimate Boards meet
Ing Mr.. Craig also clashed with Dock
Commissioner Murray Hubert over
the latter's communication Of Deem
Der . to Mayor Hylan on the neces-
sity. for immediate action in provid-
ing more pier accommodations.
Hubert and Craig CLASH.
Stewart Browne, representing q tax
payers organization, was the cause of
the tilt In which Commissioner HUI
bert accused the Comptroller OF maxi
ing an untrue statement. Mr.. Browne
had asked for a copy of the Dock Com
missioner's letter to the Mayor.
1T was in the morning papers yes
terday. before the communication
reached the board" said the Comp
troller.
That Is an untrue statement, Mr.
Comptroller" exclaimed Commissioner
Hubert. Mr.. Mayor, may / have
your permission to correct the truth
Of the Comptroller's statement? The
letter was sent to the board on Tues
day and not printed until Thursday"
"If Commissioned Hubert makes
any such statement as that he should
be asked to take his seat" was Mr..
Craig's reJoinder.
Mayor Hylan. however, sided with
Commissioner Hubert, saying:
You nave my permission to make
any statement showing conditions as
they exist In the harbor and port and
your plans for improvement"
That Comptroller Craig dominated
the situation in the board when the re-
quests of the Public Service Commits
sion were under consideration was in
cicated in the method of action of the
board.
CRAIG Reports Adopted.
An adjournment was taken while
the committee on finance and budget,
OF which the Comptroller is chairman,
but which comprises whole board,
went. into executive session. When
the board reconvened the Comptrouer's
reports were received and adopted.
In his report recommending the re-
lection of the commissions request for
the lesser with which to dc
business and pay salaries for h com-
ing year Mr.. Craig wrote:
There is not a single instance in
which any purpose is specified on
which money is required, nor is any
amount Indicated as the requirement
for any particular purpose. .
Under the circumstances 1t seems to
me that 1t Is the duty of your board
to decline to consider the purported
rsquisition and to expunge from the
files the communication accompanying
It. giving notice to the Public Service
Commission OF your action and requ.r-
i1g that a proper requisition. In COM
y~liance with the statutory require
.nents. be submitted forthwith. and in
case of their default in so doing that
i,o appropriation whatever be made for
the payment of salaries or expenses OF
such commission for the year 1919"
In his adverse report on the requisi-
struction work Comptroller Craig
charged that about $40, SOC. 900 OF rapid
transit construction work was con-
cealed and covered up in the tax levy
appropriations and that such conceal
titHt NOulu hO rOiiBcI pS NOHtlIlucu,
and, as in the first request. no specifca-
ton showing how the money was to
DC spent was included. He concluded:
Chicss and until this is done
reitner your board nor the public can
have an intelligent understanding Of
the necessities OF the situation. Tie
time when rapid transit matters should
be hid under a bushel has gone by"
whitney Attacks Craig.
The situation wasLin no way allevi-
Rted when Commissioner Whitney
issued n statement attacking the
policy OF Mayor Hylan and Comp
rroller Craig in the settlement of con-
tractors claims for damages in con-
,icction with rapid transit construc-
tion work. Mr.. Craig promised to
Issue a statement in defence OF his
attitude In connection with the claim
If the Int~erContinental Construction
Corporation for alleged damages in
connection with work on the Eastern
Parkway link. Commissioner Whit
rey's statement in part follows:
1.-The disclosures at the hearing yes
terdny afternoon In the Interconti-
,htal contract forfeiture case illumi-
J-ates a policy that Mayor Hylan has
apparently determined upon. Time
end again he has publicly referred
TO contractors claims a~ggregating
millions OF dollars as arising from the
alleged failure Of the commission IN