New-York tribune., 1921-08-20
Meyer Inquiry
To Involve All
City Bureaus
Committee Proposes to Delve
Into Every Department
Under Direct Supervi-
sion of the Mayors Office
Hylan on Stand Tuesday
Question of Asking Court
Decision on Tax and Debt
Limits Being Considered

A thorough scrutiny OF all city de-
partments under the direct control OF
the Mayor is to be begun on Tuesday
when the Meyer Legislative Committee
investigating the Hylan administration
resumes its sessions, with the Mayor
as the star witness.
Senator Schuyler NJ. Meyer, chair
man of the committee said yesterday
that while this was the program, the
committee was far from through with
the questions as to whether the city
had exceeded its tax and debt limits
over which Elon R.. Brown, committee
counsel, has been wrestling with Mr.
Hylan and Comptroller Craig for two
weeks.
Mr.. Brown insists the. city has ex-
ceeded its constitutional tax limit by
$22 100000, and its debt incurring pow
er by about s117,000,00O.
Mr.. Craig denies both contentious
and holds that the city is in fact s137,-
100000 within its borrowing power. 1t
was finally agreed that the questions
hinged on legal interpretations of the
constitution and were matters for court
decision.
Both Sides Gather Data
Both sides were busy yesterday gath
ering data and authorities TO support
their respective contentious in case the
matter should 60 to court. 1t was said
in some quarters that the only way the
matter could be brought into court was
que estlon, however," said one au.
thority," whether any sane taxpayer
not absolutely blinded by his prejudice
will take it upon himself to start liti-
CATION involving the upsetting of the
1921 tax levy, and the wrecking Of the
city's financial credit
Mr.. Brown said at Thursdays hear.
ing, however, that he would take the
matter of bringing tho problem to the
attention of the Appellate Division into
consideration.
1t is not expected that the Mayor
when he takes the stand Tuesday, will
the tax and debt problems, Cairma1
Meyer pointing out that Mr. Hylan has
already demonstrated his inability tc
shed any light on the question. The
chairman declined to say what depart
ments would be gone into first, but it
is known that the committee's inves.
tigators have been going over records
OF the Police Department for some
time, and have recently subpoenaed
books and papers Of the District At
torney's office, although the latter is
not under the control Of the Mayor.
Mandatory Legislation Up
There were intimations that MT
Hylan would be questioned particu-
larly with reference to mandatory leg
lslation which he had insisted was
largely responsible for the increase in
the city's budget. Attention also will
be given to the effects Of educational
Legislation on the budget The Mayor
contends that the latter class Of man
datory laws was the cause of a S27.-
100000 deficit in the city's budget last
year.
1t is not expected that the Mayors
examination will occupy more than one
day He will be followed again by the
Comptroller, who indicated his anxiety
TO make some statements also regard
ing mandatory legislation.
Coler Answer Criticism
Bird S. Coler, Commissioner of the
Public Welfare Department., issued q
statement yesterday, taking execution
to criticism Of his department by Mr.
Brown because Of the increased rate
allowed to private institutions main
tanning beds for city patients and de-
pendents. Asserting that this criti
clsm was unjustifed. Commissioner
Coler said that his department had a
surplus of $1,500,00O from last ar's
budget and predicted that there would
be another surplus this year, although
not as large as last years.