New-York tribune., 1920-12-07
3345 Million
Budget e Voted
Bv Aldermen
Mayor Devises Scheme
of City Saving by Which
He Thinks School Fund
Deficit VIII Be Provided
(<stk'ran DenOUnces
Plan as "Abs,,rtI''
LA Guardia's Proposal of
I Per Gent Cut in All
Departments l. Rejected

DSpaFsfAiSfleS Is Ne ejeCteN q
The Board Of Aldermen yesterday
formally adopted the city budget Of
S345,571 .399 for 1921, as passed by the
Board OF Estimate, without making any
material reductions. The Aldermen
have power to reduce the budget. but
cannot increase its items. A sort Of
gentlemen's agreement was entered
into at the suggestion of the Mayor
whereby department heads were in
structcd to reduce expenses wherever
possible. with a view Of transferring
the money saved during the coming
years to make up the $27,O00,oO deficit
in the budget allowance for the Board
OF Education.
The budget now goes to the Mayor
for his final signature, which he is ex-
pected to attach promptly. All inter
esi III the action Of the Aldermen cen
tered in the discussion Of wavs and
means 20 meet the Board OF Education
dehclt. Many conferences have been
held on the subject during the last
twenty days while the budget has been
IN the Committee OF Finance OF tho
board
a iinal conferences was held in the
Mayors Office yesterday, which was at
tended by the Mayor, Major La Guar
dis, President of the Board of Alder
men; Aiming S. Prall. president. and
other members Of the Board Of Edu-
cation, and Majority Leader William
7. Corrigan, of the Board of Aldermen
Scheme of Saving Launched
The various schemes for raisjno N.
* 100000 for the Board Of Education
were discussed, and it was decided
that il should not be by q direct ta,;
imposed by the state upon the city. bat
through savings in the various city de-
partments. The original suggestion of
Aldcrmanic President La Guardia that
tne'c ought TO be a per cent cut in
'hc budGftS OF the various departments
20 m.ct the educational deficiency VA
followed by the Mayor and incorpo,
rated IN the Mayors message to the
Board oi Aldermen. Il remains to ho
seen now far department heads will
carry ont thc Mayors recommends
tions.
The Republican minority in The
aldegnanlc Board voted souarely
against the scheme by casting thcil
votes against the adoption Of the bud
get a. proposed. They cxplained that
lh' - .OpO.OpO deficit of the Board o.
Education vas mandatory, and should
val, 4
the exclusion of other appropriation 5
sufficient to bring the amount of the
Dugct within The constitutional taxing
power OF the city.
rhey were strongly opposed to leav-
ing the rate OF the schools in the
hands of the Mayor and his depart
mont heads The approximation OF
$4,000, 900 for the Board Of Education
IN tho 1921 budget viii only carry the
cheolS TO August ! next. The Repub-
hcans filed Il minority report, IN which
thc5 recommended specific cuts Ill the
budget amounting 10 $7,553,0SN. The
report vas defeated
Notorgh President Henry II. Curra1
rl NAnhAttan condemned the scheme OF
sa ,lng and transferring funds from
yaliou. city departments to the
Board Of Education Is absurd and im
pr~cticablc He declared that the onll
way out of the school problem was tt
issue special revenue bonds nov to the
amount needed. which in the end Nigh
b. between Sl0.U0o.oOO and Sl5. 10000
SO that the Board Of Education woulC
i,noW by the first Of the year oD what
basis il could finance the schoo! pro.
cram or 1921.
lest for City officials
Aldermaric President Ia Guardia
/ the o'her Republican on the Board OF
Estimate. argued for the scheme q.
formally suggested by the Mayo. H'
based his confidence III the plan on The
assurances Of Mayor ilylan, after the
latter had conferred with his var on.
..opartment heads and the Borough
f'lo sidents With the exception OF hor
ouch President Curran, th.4; tho de
Daltmqnt head would make he great
est possible reductions they could
waicA it WI hoped would average
per cent ia all department
The Mayor. however, declared that he
was opposed 10 reducing the salaries
or WAGES OF city employees TO make W
any acncit and tha, reductions made
must ir other than personal service.
Major La Guardia left tire cnalr aa'
addressed the members OF me boare
from tho floor He declared that poll
tie, had usually prevented the mak.nA
o. IL scientific. business-like budget
rm1 hat no ore should play poltc'