New-York tribune., 1919-10-31
Craig g Twice
Quits Estimate
Board Meeting
Refuses to Go Into Star
Chamber Session; Walks
Out When Not Allowed to
Argue for orePolicemen

Twice yesterday during the hearing
before the Board of Estimate on the
record budget of 100000, Comp
troller Charles L. Craig left the meet
ing-once when Mayor Hylan insisted
on holding a star chamber session and
the second when the Mayor refused
to let the Comptroller argue in de-
tense OF his contention that more po-
licemcn are needed to protect the life
and propert- of citizens.
The Controller was protesting
against the elimination of the item
of S725 900 for 500 new policemen.
saying that more policemen were
needed.
at is not safe to 90 home at night
IN certain sections of the CITY," added
the Controller
II deny that,' shouted the Mayor.
1T is not so! Why don't you stick to
the truth? ?"
II don't think I could get much help
from the Mayor in telling the truth, :"
retorted the Controller. "You know
just as we'll as + that if this is taken
out of the budget. and there is an out
break somewhere and the Police Com
missioner is taxed with it, he will point
10 the reduced estimate for his depart
iHCLt ana tly 70 Justify Lne SITUATION
as he has done before"
He Don't" Says the Mayor
"He don't do anything of the kind"
cried the Mayor. clenching his fists.
He don't do anything of the kind"
You are not familiar with the his
tory of the department, Mr.. Mayor, or
you would not say that" replied the
{ Comptroller.
Call the roll on this!" ordered the
Mayor
81 want to explain my vote and also
to make an amendment,' began Mr.
Craig.
"Not during roll call" said Bor-
ough President Connolly Of Queens,
who champions the Mayor
Il want to offer an amendment" in
sisted the Controller
ua2o "@1s pounng oa Of his 0rasf raSs cs Ssd the the
roll"
Controller Craig rose from his chair
and pointing his finger at the Mayor
said
"You may pound all you like. bu,
this goes in the record. I protest
against the arbitrary action Of the
Mayor in denying me the right tc
argue question before this board.
shall withdraw and ! warn you that
anything you do is illegal"
GO on! Get out! Get out if 70,
want to-" shouted the Mayor. "Tht
trouble is that you think you can rur
every department better than anybod,
else. Go ahead and get out if tina
pleases you"
The Controller took his hat ant
departed
A Moment Of Silence
bn 10 fC
fully minute. Even the Mayor wa
silent. He looked at one member O
the board after another. Then he be
gan 70 whisper, first with one an
then the other. Then they decide
tnat, since the charter provides tina
, two Of the three city wide ofIic ials-th
Mayor, the Controller and the Prcsi
dent Of the Board Of Aldcrmen--mu
be present when the budget is bein
; acted on they would adjourn tn
, hearing to the sick room Of Presiden
; Moran Of the Board Of Aldermen. Ac
| cordingiy, all piled into an automobl
.. and drove up to The Bronx, where M,
Moran is recuperating from an opera
ton for appendicitis.
Mrs. Moran greeted the board whc
i it disembarked from automobiles i
front OF 1886 ST. Lawrence Avcnu,
The Bronx, and led the members I
the room where her husband, only tw
days out of the hospital was lying.
= A quorum being thus achieved an
clerk and stenographers present. tn
items we're read off rapidly and al
proved. The work had not been con
pleted, however, when DR.. j. Lew
Amster, Mr.. Moran's physician, VIII
: had heard OF the boards prcsenc
raided the premises.
City Officials Driven Away
/ He burst into the room where II
. impromptu session was proceeding, al
I. nounced that he had left orders tn,
his patient WIG not to be dsturbe
and ordered the heads OF the city
I government TO get their hats and Goa
Y and leave AT once. They obeyed NEE
Z ", and after discussion on the sid
+, walk decided to call it day and no
b the final session on the budget at II
: City Hall at 10:30 this morning.
t Mr.. Moran's physicians issued Il
Il following statement when they learn'
d the board had met mt their patient
J. residence:
C "A meeting Of the Board Of Estima
was held ut President Moran's hon
. this evening. Mr.. Moran consented
49,