The New York herald., 1921-08-12

Dull at AAG N4OSC "a NAA~ 80
and afternoon sessions the partisans
in the audience gathered in group
and fought over the testimony and
the issues. Many times there were
near fist bouts. Senator Theodore
Douglas Robinson demanded to know
Of one man who was doing lot of
cheering for the Mayor what his job
was and the answer made the Senator
angry.
When he resumed the witness stand al
the opening Of the session the Mayor
said he was getting together the reports
asked for by the committee, but there
would be a half truckload OF them ana
it would take day TO get them, Theh
the Mayor said he wished TO make
statement correcting what he said was
a wrong impression regarding the tesui-
rnony he gave on Wednesday regarains
proposed cuts in the wages OF per diem
employees. He said;
THE investigation that stated was
being conducted is one by the Board OF
Estimate into per diem wages OF skiiieo
trades only. the rate for which is man
datorily fixed by the prevailing rate Oh
wages law. This is being done IN oruer
that the exact facts with reference 10
wages may be before that body 10 enaoie
II to comply with that law. MY personal
position is that the highest wage per-
missible should be paid.to competent per
diem skilled men and other laoorers'
Mayor's Position on Wages.
II have been unable to understand
your position regarding wages ana
salaries in looking over your papers ana
statements. and i wish you would make
il clear" Mr.. Brown said. He quoted at
length from some lf the Mayors papers
warning employees that they We're the
servants OF the people, not the masters
cema nding that all useless positions
must be abolished, and asserting that
pull would not count IN getting increases
in wages.
Il gathered from your testimony that
you did not see the way 70 make any re-
ductions in the city expenses, MI
Brown said.
I'm the first place, there have been
great many raises of salary where the
compensation was 1900 or more during
your administration. haven't there?'
yes. sir. owing to increase OF prices,
cost of living and the like of that.
II notice that in 1917 the cost OF the
Commissioner Of Accounts office was
$25l.OQo. and that CT 1918 i was $780,
600, but that It Is up now TO s29s'oo4.
would like to ask you what are the rune
tions OF the Commissioner of Accounts?'
ITO investigate all complaints, look
into the several departments to see II
things are properly conducted.
For whose information?
For the Mayors information
I'm view of the fact that you have
not in mind any saving that was
effected in the city government during
the four years Of your administration
would like to ask you whether you nave
examined into the office OF the Com
missioner of Accounts to see whether
there could be any reduction of cost in
that department without loss to the
city?"
"No. I have not, except what con-
sideration is given to it at the time OF
of making up our budget"
"Have you investigated 1t with view
to finding out?"
mo, / have not specifically investi-
gated IT."
Have you had anybody investigate II
FOR you and report to your
s.No, sir don't think ! have"
AIdermnnic Salaries Increased.
II notice that there has been an In
crease in the expenses of the Board OF
Aldermen and the city Clerk from 1917
TO 1921 from s2S9.15S to $4OS,000. Do
you know where the principal increase In
cost there was?"
mot off hand"
TT was salaries. wasn't it?"
There was an increase In salaries for
the Aldermen"
How many Aldermen are there?"
IT think seventy-three.
II find that in relation to Bellevue
and other hospitals that there has been
an Increase from 1917 of Sl.755,S53;
none of that increase is due to man
datory legislation?"
mo. sir. don't think So"
THAT is due to increase in salaries
Increase In salaries and possibly
supplies and materials"
Have you made any investigation
yourself as to whether there could be
any economy effected at the present
time with reference TO that service2'
Not personally. other than what the
examiners of the Board OF Estimate
are now taking up in preparation OF
the next years budget"
You have made no investigation
yourself?'
mot yet
Investigates at budget Time.
II notice the appropriation for chari-
table institutions has increased from
$500. 900 to $S.100.o0o since 1917, or
an increase of over $2,5o0.o00. Have
80, r,ade any invest tgatlon at any