The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-05
Tentative Budget for 1920
Completed and Hearings
Begin Tomorrow.
80 POINT TAX JUMP SEEN
Many Wage Increase Demands
Yet Remain to Be
Settled.

and supplies go. was virtually COM
plsted last night by the Board OF Esti-
mate, sitting as the Committee on Fl
nance and Budget. Public hearings will
begin tomorrow morning in the City
Hall
= Roughly It Is estimated that salary
Increases viii amount to about s1b,-
100000.
1t has been decided to give the rank
and file in the Street Cleaning Depart
ment an average raise OF $500.
1t is understood that the increases for
the policemen and firemen still stand al
the original $3.50 decided upon some
time ago. Strong arguments will be
made at the hearings in favor of the
$3.50 increase which the men ask
All other low paid employees OF the city
will get an increase OF as near 5000 each
: az can be figured in general terms.
There still remains the proviso that the
Increases are made on the Recommended
ton Of the department heads. the idea
being that exceptions can be made Of
men who have been Sinking their duty.
However. there is a wide difference Of
opinion among the department heads as
10 the application OF this rule. Some
have taken the attitude that no excep-
lions should be made. 1t VIII probably
not be known unless Individual COM
plants are made whether any officials
have taken advantage OF the latitude
given to them to play politics in making
salary increases.
On the plea that the transit situa-
ton would make necessary the addi-
tional assistance, ten new places of AS
sistant Corporation Counsel were added
tc the budget of the Law Department
at total Increase In its budget of over
$4,000. Money has been provided for
three assistants at $500 each. three at
5000 each and four at $500 each.
The total 1919 budget was about
ss4sooo,OoO. The 1919 tax rate was ass
approximately.
Jumps Tax Rate Is Points.
An Increase Of s15,ooo.0Oo in the
budget for salary increases would repre-
sent between is and 1S points in the tax
rate. The S252, 516,45s increase In the
real estate assessments of the city rep
resents an increased income OF roughly
$1,000 900, or about s points in terms of
tax rate This as an offset to the salary
Increases would reduce an Is point in
crease to -.
But there are many other, as yet un-
known. factors to enter into the tax rate
before 1t is fixed next March, some OF
which will tend to increase and others to
decrease the tax rate.
1t is said to be in the minds OF Mayor
Hylan and Controller Craig that they
will be able to force the transit lines to
subordinate to the city's bonds their So
called preferentials out Of the earnings
OF the rapid transit systems If they
can do this, II Is asserted. 1t will be pos
sble thus to pay the interest on $780,
100000. which otherwise would have TO
go into the debt service
II the hopes OF the Mayor and Con-
roller come true, and II they are able
to get the Legislature to suspend the
operation of the pay as you go system
for another year. 1t is said they have ex-
pressed the opinion to their friends that
they may be able 20 keep the 1920 tax
rate down TO this years figure. other
wise it would probably go up some 80
points. There are others who do not see
much less thai 40 point increase.
This is all speculation. however. because
Of yet unknown factors. One OF the great
est Of these is the general fund for the
reduction of taxation" which is not made
up until February The Citizens Union
accused the administration this year OF
holding down the tax rate by including
improper items IN the general fund.
Another varying factor is the amount
that will be put in the budget this year
TO make up the deficiency in taxes in
past years. Both this item and the
amount OF the debt service probably will
not be determined by the Finance De-
partment much before the time when II
is necessary to finally pass the budget.
October 30.
Debt Service Increase.
1t was stated unofficially yesterday
mat If the railroads do not subordinate
their preferentials the debt service Gin
terest on the city's outstanding bonds)
may amount to $4,000, 900 this year.
The scale on which it was decided to
make increase, outside of the Fire. Po-
ice and Street Cleaning departments Is
as follows:
For all employees getting under $500
For employees now getting between s., 800
for employees now getting between 1880
anu f-o5 ..-..--.--..-...--.-.--.-f.. lOk
Above $4,000 each increase is consid-
eFed on the individual merits of the
man.
The 5000 increase for the Street
Sieaning Department raises the sweep
ers' the drivers and the stablemen from
an average Of about s1.1oo to an aver
"se or about 81, 400 year. In the case
VI ioremen and stable chiefs the classes
nave been abolished and their pay will
DC equalized on a basis OF about $1,7O0
year
II was stated last night that although
most OF the street cleaners were satisfied
WIN the $500 Increase the representa-
i've OF one small group which is union
Heu threatened a strike unless they got
$3.50 Increase
me estimate Of the Board of EdU-
s@uon, which was due September /.
as received only Thursday. October q
amounts to sS7.051. 900. an increase
VI s4z0VO'OOO over last year or this |
amount S3O,000.0oa is for the cost OF
&c" sites and buildings, which will no. |
a. INTO the tax budget OF the S12,. |
sOV,Vo0 Increase aside from the esti- |
mates Tor sites and buildings, which |
we're not included in last years esti- |
mates, s4,150.000 is accounted for by |
statewide mandatory bill for the |
increase Of teachers' salaries. The re /
.snder Is for increases In executive |
san and supplies.
r Aoeral Increases have gone to the |
aS 81 IN the various Borough Presidents |
sulees' the greatest amount to Queens. |
hele IN some cases increases have not |
80 given since consolidation. An at /
spt has been made to equalize the |
.s'Srles Of men doing similar work In |
various boroughs.
h,ahe public hearings on the tentative
NJ, WAY opSn Tomorrow WITH the I
.paitment Of Cha rites and the Magis.
S.s Courts. There is an insistent
dhd In the latter for a large in
Ease IN the number OF probation ofn
tb,o, The hearings will be continued