The New York herald., 1920-01-03
MR.H|RSCH RESIGNS
BLAMING MAYOR
FOR LACK OF FUNDS
Chairman of Rent Profiteering
Committee Tires of "Humil-
iating Position"

Another o. Mayor Hyian's appointees
rendered his resignation yesterday.
Nathan Hirscll, chairman OF the Mayors
Committee on Rent Profiteering and Taxa
tion. asked the Mayor TO accept his resis-
nation. II developed that Mr. Hirsch
made a similar request last November but
was persuaded by the Mayor to continue
in office.
Mr. Hirsch stated yesterday that he was
forced to take this action because the
Mayor has made no effort 10 provide
funds with which to carry on the work OF
the committee during 1920" The small
funds allotted in the past have peen ex-
hausted. Mr.. Hirsch said. and repeated
efforts to impress the Mayor with the
urgent need OF financial aid have been
wholly futile. Up to November l, 1918. the
chairman personally met all the commit
tees expenses. giving in the aggregate a
substantial sum to that end. Since that
time the committee received from the city
through three appropriations by the Board
Of Estimate. $l0,53l, practically all of which
has been used.
"MuyOr's Attitude Changed
According to the friends OF Mr.. Hrsch.
the attitude Of the Mayor toward the
chairman and the work Of the committee
y
last November. Correspondence between
Mr.. Hirsch and the Mayor Incorporated
in the statement issued yesterday by the
latter, would seem TO support this asser-
ton.
When Mr.. Hrsch resigned on November
IA the Mayor refused to accept the resig-
nation, saying in his letter.
mo man has ever performed greater
service to the city than you. Whether you
like it or not l am not going to permit
you to resign"
Some days later the Mayor persuaded
Mr.. Hirsch to continue indefinitely as
chairman of the committees.
On December ii the Mayor attended the
benefit performance given at the Century
Theatre to aid the contingent fund TO
be used to alleviate distress caused by
evictions among the poor. Between the
acts the Mayor caused Captain Charles
A. Goldsmith. of the committee. to an
nounce on the Mayors behalf that part
of the $4,000 fund representing the sur
plus made by the city in the sale OF army
food would be used TO further the work
OF the Rent Profiteering Committee
Thereafter Mr.. Hirsch was taken TO the
committee having the disposal of the fund
in charge, but despite the Mayors public
promise Mr.. Hirsch was told that the poor
he represented would get no part of the
fund.
Brings Matters to n Climax.
This brought matters to a climax as
far as Mr.. Hirsch was concerned and
prompted him to send letter TO the
Mayor on December 26 in which he dealt
plainly with the situation. He said. in
part
I'm view of the public announcement
icaused to be made by you at the benefit
performance at the Century Theatre. the
refusal of this committee to carry out
your express wishes places us. may
suggest. even Your Honor, in a most
awkward and humiliating position.
! 1T is time, my dear Mr.. Mayor. that
lay before you the state of my mind or
this subject. For many months the COM
mittees have been working indefstigably
to achieve defined objects on an inn
pecunious appropriation. They existed
hand to mouth and had il not been for
my feeling of civic pride and duty they
would have been doomed to failure. If
this work is TO continue IL is imperative
THAT sufficient funds are forthcoming at
once.
| IF you are of the opinion that an an
preparation of about $4,000 cannot be pro-
cured for the year 1890 ! respectfully sug-
gest that you dissolve and discharge the
committees from further work.
- "As Matter OF AHruisnn.,
'As a matter of altruism and. civic duty.
Ut seems TO me that II Is obligatory on the
Board OF Estimate or for the O'Malley
Committee to give us money whereby we
can properly continue the work which Is
lequally, IL not more important than dis
ltrbuting coal. ice and milk. May have
lyour answer before January !. so that
we may be able TO guide ourselves accord
lingly for the ensuing year? We cannot
possibly continue under existing condi-
ltions.''
New Years Day passed. and the first
meeting OF the new Board OF Estimate
was held yesterday. apparently with no
response 70 Mr.. Hirsch's request.
According TO the statement issued by
Mr.. Hirsch. there now remains approxi-
mately s1.4oo of the s10.5S7 appropriated for
the work of the committees, but this Is
needed 10 nav cxtrn HELM