The sun., 1919-10-23
HYLAN AND CRAIG
SCRAP OYER BUDGET
Mayor Peeved at Charge That
Document Has Been Tam
pered With.
CUTS HIT COMPTROLLER
Special Attention Directed at
Salary Raises In His
Department.

fhe nrst Of the statutory hearings on
she proposed city budget for 1890. which
amounts TO s3l7,21S.e30. nearly $7o,oOo.-
600 in excess of the current years civll
expense bill, was begun in CITY Han
yesterday and was livened by more than
one verbal clash between Mayor Hy'ah
and Comptroller Craig.
II Mayor Hylan's expressed ideas are
carried out the proposed budget Is
certain TO be slashed with a considera-
BILE freedom before the final document
n passed. But considering every possi-
bic elimination that can be suggested 70
veterans among the stan that prepares
tho budget. the opinion still holds that
the fnal figures will be considerably
higher than this years
Despite this Comptroller Craig san
yesterday that the tax rate for 1920
isn't going to be materially higher"
Just how II In going to be kept down
70 not vouchsafed, but the Comptroller
statement was made to Edward +.
Doyle, representing the Real Estate
Board. who appeared to protest against
several of the more notably Increased
itema
Tho trouble began when the Comp
troller charged that the budget had
been tampered with--that items had
been inserted without his knowledge
and apparently after the budget had
left the Comptroller's hands to go to
the printers. The charge aroused al
Of the Mayors Bushwickian Ire, ana
caused him to remark that the Comp
troller was talking for publication.
Mayors Ire Roused.
~ you had gone over the budget you
would have seen these items" the Mayor
e.
Then, including the public In his re-
marks, the Mayor continued:
'"rhe Comptroller saw the budget In
fact, as chairman Of the finance and
budget committee, he had charge OF 1t.
He isn't going to place the blame for this
on any one else II know about it"
Then followed a demand from the
Mayor that the Comptroller tell him the
name Of the man who had inserted Items
In the budget without authority. Comp
troller Craig replied that he would be
glad to give the Mayor the name of the
nen-except that he DIDN'T know It
A little later. when the estimates for
ne Finance Department were under con-
sideration. Comptroller Craig remarked
that his department was the only one In
the city government where there were no
private secretaries. with the exception of
the case Of City Chamberlain Berolx-
heimer. who. he added, was appointed by
the Mayor
THE Chamberlain is . competent pub
lice official," said the Mayor. and the re-
mark kindled another verbal blaze.
Hes a good musician" ventured Bor-
ough President Riegelmann Of Brooklyn.
Sand he doesn't have to take orders
from the Comptroller" snapped the
Mayor.
Hell fnd himself taking orders from
me, however" shot back Mr.. Craig. This
precipitated more trouble, with the
Mayor directing particular attention to
the estimates for personal service among
the Comptroller's staff.
II move" he declared. "that the SAL
ary Of the secretary OF the Department
Of Finance be reduced from $500 to
So O00."
Tho increase of $500 was put in the
budget for Charles F. Kerrigar. presum
ably with the approval OF the Comptro,
Ter.
II demand a roll can.- Mr.. Craig
shouted.
Its tabled" rstorted the Mayor.
Threatens Further Cuts.
The same exchange occurred when a
moment later Mayor Hylan came to the
Chief Accountant, who was down for an
increase from $4,000 to $4,000. "And I
want to tell you" said the Mayor to Mr..
Craig, "that I'll have several other mo-
tons In regard to the Finance Depart
mont to make"
At the afternoon session Edward F.
Doyle appeared in support OF arguments
that were embraced in a letter from the
Real Estate Board.
Consideration OF the estimates OF the
Department OF Education, which show
an increase of approximately $40. 900. .00o
over the current years. was put over un-
til Monday.
Craig Explains Increases.
Charles L, Craig. City Comptroller
made a statement last night in which
he gave the reasons for the proposed in.
creases in the salaries Of city employees
who are now receiving more than $2,60(
a year, as provided In the tentative
budget for 1920. He also enumerates
those employees, showing that the in
crease will be S215,200 for the entir,
city.
Most of the increases are to be be
tween 5000 and $500 a year, although
there are several of $1,000 and one o.
$4,000, that OF Duncan MacInnes chile
accountant of the Department OF Fl
nance, who receives $4,000 a year and 1.
to be raised TO $4,000. The statement
also sets forth that the hremen and po
Icemen. none of whom received NOR,
than $l.S00 year, are TO get increases
sf $3.50 a year