The sun., 1918-10-11
NEW CITY BUDGET
$6,346,126 LARGER
Increase Due to Emergencies
Arising From War, Says
Comptroller.
MORE MAY BE ADDED
Salaries of 10000 Employees
Raised at Cost of About
100000.

The tentative budget ror tie city OF
New York for 1919 as adopted yesterday
by the Committee on Finance and
Budget of tho Board Of Estimate is
s244.469.s s5.4s. This is an increase of
$6,S46,126.23 over the budget OF this
year. which was made by the Mitchell
administration.
Up to October 20 increases may be
made in the tentative budget, but after
that date only decreases may be made
up 70 October 81, when the budget must
finally be passed by the Board of Esti-
mate After that IL goes to the Board
OF Aldermen, who may make cuts only
In any items that are not mandatory.
Stewart Browne, who for several years
has constituted himself an unofficial
member of the Board Of Estimate. rep
resenting real estate interests, said last
night:
The Mayor. Comptroller and all other
members Of tha board are to be con-
graduated on having as a whole done
splendid and economical work in keep
ing the budget down even 10 its present
figures, as an increase of at least double
that amount was expected"
Hope 10 Decrease Tax Rate.
Comptroller Craig declared that in
spite of $1,000, 900 increase In the
budget the indications were that the tax
rate for next year would he lower than
II was this year. He said there were
three factors that led him. TO hope for
this: First, an increase in the city rev.
enues. second, the increase in assessed
valuations on real property, and third,
the exclusion of certain items that were
carried In the 1918 budget.
These increases" declared Comp
troller Craig, speaking for the board.
ARE due to emergencies arising from
the war. About $2,300,000 is due to the
maintenance OF a special police force to
protect the Catskill aqueduct, bridges
and similar structures against allen
eremies Necessities for the Health
Department. hospitals, charitable and
other institutions required an increase of
approximately 81 ,000. 900. due to the high
cost OF foods, drugs and other supplies.
The salaries of the men In the Po-
lice and Fire departments were increased
$3.50. while the salaries of all city en-
ployees receiving $500 or less were
increased 800. The employees of the
Street Cleaning Department have re-
ceived substantially the same increase.
These salaries were made necessary by
aAeh Noct VI living OH ny Ine
war and aggregate about $4,000 900. Al
together the compensation OF about
10000 employees was affected by these
increases.
subways Add to Losses.
The increase in wages of skilled and
unskilled labor by reason Of the compe-
tition of war industries required addi-
tional appropriations Of more than So
100000. Improbable subways added
$1.20o.0o0 to last years losses OF $780,
900 IN interest on the city's investmen,
in the dual system"
The budget of the Street Cleaning
Department is $2.bo0.o00 greater than
last year. due, the Comptroller explains
to the added cost OF disposing of refuse
and of snow last winter. War prices
for paving, coal and like materials and
supplies have required increased appro-
priations OF 100000. The extension OF
the franchise III women has made 1t nee.
essary to add $500 TO the budget OF
the Board of Elections, while $500, zoo
has been appropriated for repairs &c
ferryboats. public buildings and equip
nent.
The Comptroller says that q good part
OF these increases has been offset by
economies In the various departments