New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-08-11


"You do not think there ought to be
any deduction for the benefit of the
city on account of that deduction in the
cost Of living, in those salaries ~
NO, sir"
Hearsay Information Offered
When the Mayor was asked on what
grounds and from what figures had he
been able TO compare favorably the cost
of government of this city with that
of other big cities he said, "Merely
from general and casual information,
not from any place particularly"
Earlier in the day the Mayor was
asked if he had been in favor of the
act fixing higher salaries for teachers
II complained Of it because it was
mandatory legislation" he replied.
The question of financial figures came
up again and the Mayer burst out:
"Any examination of the Mayor or
anybody else with reference to figures
compiled by the Comptroller cannot
bring about any reliable information
because the Mayor or nobody else ex-
cept the Comptroller made up the
figures. If you are looking for proof
of any inaccuracy of these figures you
ought to go to those that made them
up, Senator
The Mayor then intimated that Mr..
Brown was trying "to disprove to some
extent the Comptroller's figures by
me-" which Brown promptly disavowed.
The Mayor here suggested that dur
ing the examination of Mayor Mitchell
and Mayor Gaynor, in the course of
various inve stigations, the questions
were always written out and sent to
the Mayor, and asked the same
courtesy, 80 that could have an OPP
portunity to see there WAS no trick or
catch in the questions"
Mr.. Brown denied that any such pro-
ccdure took place. Figures were then
produced showing that the debt limit
of the city when Mayor Hylan took Of
flee in 1918 was 1925, 100000, and that
in 1921 it should have been 1897 ,000,-
600 in accordance with the increase of
the assessed valuation on real estate.
The increase between these two
dates in the debt mourning power of
thus be S172 100000. On the other
hand, the city's actual debt limit as of
July 81, 1921, was only $137. 100000,
showing a decrease in the city's debt
mourning power of 100000.
Method or expenditures
Mayor "of course, we spent the
money, you know, for schools and rapid
transit and things like that, Senator"
81 don't say it was spent improp-
erly," replied Mr.. Brown, "but that in
cludes all your expenditures"
1t was here brought out that the
amount of uncollectable taxes totals
S30,0OOO00. The Mayor said he knew,
nothing about this.
The Mayor and Mr.. Brown at this
point engaged in a lively tilt over the
question Of the teachers salary bill and
mandatory legislation, which was
marked by bursts of applause favoring
the Mayor from the audience Chair
man Meyer warned the spectators that
if repeated the hearing chamber would
be cleared.
81 noticed yesterday" said Mr.
Brown, chat you complained Of the
act fixing the wages of teachers
throughout the state as affecting your
city"
mo. sir; | did not complain Of the
act affecting teachers wages. l COM
planned Of it because it was manda
tory legislation.'
IlXluX vi edCucIS SdldEIeS
well now, I want to ask you if the
wages that were fixed by that act We're
more than you we're in favor of fixing
them at?"
81 was in favor of fixing, and every
member Of the Board Of Estimate and
ApportiQnment was in favor Of fixing
the teachers salaries right here, where
they are paid out of the pockets OF
the people. l do not object to the
wages, but the wages being fixed al
holding the city officials responsible
for the increased debt I do object to.
"Now, Mr.. Mayor, | want to ask you
another thing. Do you regard educa-
ton as a state function? o.
"Well, some of the state authorities
have regarded it as state function
in so far as managing and running af
fairs in every possible way except pay
ing the bills, and they leave the city
to pay the bills and fix every
other'--~-
THAT is true Of every community in
the state, isn't it,"
"Possibly it IS"
"Don't you know that it is true OF
every community in the state, nclud-
ing the City of New York 2"
eyes, | presume it is"
"And don't you regard the proper
compensation of teachers necessary
part of the successful conduct of edu-
cation ?"
"postively do, but I do not think
it ought to be done at Albany, taking
the money out of the pockets of the
people here in the city, without con.
sulting the city authorities, and Their
come down here with a Legislative
committee to try to blame the public
officials who have had no say over it.
MIR. Brown. after two days effort
finally obtained from the Mayor al
explanation Of what funded debt
was, the Mayor saying, "a debt is made
and securities or notes given, and later
on it is funded by a long term bone
and the sinking fund is to pay off the
bonds when they come due
81 did not expect I would be given s
civil service examination went on thu
| Mayor. "Therc are lots Of definitions
to these different terms that am not
fam liar with"
More questions on the sinking fune
t brought the repeated rejoinders from
the Mayor that you ought to 60 to the
Comptroller for that" and "it is just
unfair that l be asked about these de-
tails"
The hearing will be resumed in City
Hall at 1880 o'clock this morning
when the Mayor is again expected tc
be the star witness.
-.-------s-----------
Hoover, ~, Gives Dinner
WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 Sccretar,