New-York tribune., 1919-10-25
Dispute Is Developed at
Meeting of Board of
Estimate; Craig Repeats
Budget Meddling Charge
Two Positions Exempted
Mayor Beaten i'm Move to
Have Commissioners
Outline Possible Savings

For the third time this week Mayor
Hylan and Comptroller Craig aired their
differences in public. The latest row
developed a yesterdays meeting of the
Board of Estimate Like those that
have gone before, it arose through
Comptroller Craigs insistence that
somebody had meddled with the 1920
budget Of $317,o00,OO0 when his back
was turned.
Borough President Van Name, of
the dispute. but the Mayor and the
Comptroller insisted on having it out.
The row started after the reading Of
& letter from the Municipal Civil Ser
vice Commission informing the board
that the application for placing the
secretary and atenographer of the
Court House Board in the exempt class
and comforting the appointive power
on the BOARD of Estimate had been
granted. These positions were in the
classified class. which means the hold
ers can oe removed only on charges,
and the appointive power was lodged
with the Court House Board The two
Jobs are now at the disposal Of the
board.
Craig Launches Attack
Comptroler Craig fairly bristled
while the letter, was being read.
"By what authority and by whose di-
rection did the secretary of the board
make this application?" ?" he demanded.
THE charter expressly provides that
TIE secretary Of the board can take no
action on matters of this kind without
first being authorized by this board.
To my knowledge no such authorization
was ever given"
~ don't think that is necessary" said
the Mayor.
ut i necessary" said the Comp
roller. "Furthermore, these two items
we're included in the 1920 budget with
out MY knowledge and consent
"You are not quite clear ON the mat
'er because you were on your vaca-
,ion," said the Mayor.
And the secretary waited for me
20 60 or my vacation so he would be
sure Of getting the two positions
across"
Joseph Haag, the secretary, smiled
as the Mayor went to his defence.
81 insist the secretary acted without
authority" Persisted G Comptroller
Mayor Challenges Craig
''He acted in good faith" said the
tay,r. = the Con rlruler ras "
charges to make against any one why
doesn't he DO it?"
Il haven't any charges to prefer. but
am not going to hesitate moment
TO call to the attention of the board
or to the pub ic any illegal acts"
There isn't anything Illegal" re-
torted the Mayor. 1T IS just ques-
tion CT the Comptroller not liking
Haag
use common sense!" exclaimed Sec
retary Haag to the ComptroI er.
"Make NoNr C argos now Mr.. Comp
trolrer! Make them now!" said the
Mayor.
q don't need any suggestions from
YOU" the Comptro ler shot aaek.
when you can run your office, the
Chamberlain's office and all the other
of4loes in the city you'll be satisfied
countered the Mayor.
$50. h wort" lnte posed Borough
President Connolly OF Queens.
TIE NJ sNOr tnen moVeu matter he
lied After the vote was taken the
Mayor said tic motion was carried.
Row Breaks Out Afresh
at is lost" exclaimed the Comp
5roller.
1.-The motion is carried" cried the
Mayor, banging his ivory gavel on his
ulanOSdNy ueSh.
The Comptroller shrugged hi!
shoulders and sat back in his chair
Routine matters were acted on unit
the Mayor said his department heads
were present to tell how the item:
Of their departments in the 1920 bud
get might be reduced.
"Wnat?' inquired Comptroller Craig
Why the budget hearing was al
journed to Monday and the public wa
so Informed. move that the hear
ing be held on the postponed day"
Il think they should be heard to
day" said the Mayor with sugges
tion of fnality. 1t won't take the com
missioners very long. How long will
~ take you comm ssipners"
This last was directed at Commits
sioner Richard Enright, of the Polio
Department. who replied it would tax
but three minutes. Comptroller Graz
sa.d he intended to question each o
the Mayors commissioners at length
adding it would take considerabl
time.
The Comptroller then made motto
20 adjourn and rose TO go.
Sit down." shouted the Mayor. "Yo
can't run out like that. You ran ou
before
- demand rol'call!" said tn
Comptroller. resuming his seat.
Just minute" said the Mayor. an
tell the clerk when to call the roll"
Eventually the roll was called, an
Auk4