New-York tribune., 1921-10-19
Never E'rol,evs
Strive 10 End
Nisrule in Civ
Investigators Aim TO Improve
Administration and Pave
Way for Effective Legisla-
tiou by Ci,arter Revision
Many Obstacles Offered
Brown Says Attitude of
Present Regime Has Been
Opposition, 10 Needed Md

Elsn t. Brown. chief counsel 20 the
Neysr legislative committee inves.i-
rAtsnr ne conssuc, cf the present city
sdministration. isSaed 4 brief survey
yesterday of I've committee : achieve
nea.s ap 10 Gate. w-th An additional
.or OF what 3. hoped u do upon re
sam:rg sessions shout the middle Of
November.
Ni,aout gong in.o detail. Mr. Brown
pointed out that the inquiry has been
steadily directed toward improving al
nin;stration ana pavin,S the way for
effective legislation by charter revi-
sion. Despite promises OF co-opera-
.ion and ASST stance from the municipal
authorities. Mr.. Brown says that the
attitude OF the present government has
0ee0 throughout the inquiry one Of OPP
position and obstruction. He added
nat the charge Of partlsanship was
Eroundless.
Probe of Departments
The counsel concludes with the an
7ouncement that upon reconvening
after election the committee viii COM
olete the partial investigation of those
lepartm ents already looked into and
viii undertake full examination Of
nose not yet touched upon.
According to the record, the commit
examinations of the Mayors Office, the
Comptroler's office. Dock Departm ert,
Department OF Education, Markets De
0artment. Department OF Licenses, Po-
sce Department. Street Cleaning De-
1artment. the Borough of Queens and
ne Department of Public Welfare. In
large number OF cases according to
he record, there has been revealed
'vidence OF alleged graft, corruption.
waste, inefticiency or evil practices Of
me kind or another
Assemblyman Manrtoe Bloch, Demo-
cratic member OF the committee, also
issued statement attacking the aims
and methods of the committee. He said
The effect of the investigation was
an unwilling and unwilling endorse
1ent of Mayor Hylan and his admin
stratlon as the most honest and most
efficient in the long history of the
greater city He added that the mi
.ial appropriation of 100000 for its
work was exhausted and that the final
,ost might reach S3O0,00O.
Mr. Browns statement reads:
After holding sessions through eight
'eeks, the Legislative committee will
adjourn over election. The inquiry has
)een steadily directed toward improv-
nc administration and paving the way
-'slon and for the Improvement of GOV
'rnmental conditions in the city.
Although conceded on all sides that
sre was grave necessity for such
YORK ard instances requiring action too
numerous TO mention have been dis
aosed, the attitude of the present city
government has been one of opposition
md often OF obstruction, and this atti
ude has been maintained notwithstand-
re many promises of co-operation and
requent admissions from the heads Of
,ity departments Of the existence Of
rave faults in administration and in
harter provisions.
Partisanship Charge Denied
The charge of partisanship in the
r4uiry. besides being groundless. is
relevant. If the proofs establish
buses the motive for their disclosure
would not, even if partisan, excuse or
pst,fy their continuance. But l leave
the public judgment criticism of the
motives pursued
Assemblyman Bloch statement reads
part:
1t is impossible accurately to esti-
rate tha total cost to the taxpayers of
his partisan political fishing expedi-
ION. Long ago its initial appropria-
i'A o. t4vJ,vV0 was exhausted, and it
GEMS likely that the total expense to
ne taxpayer will amount to az lea st
100000 when all the bills are filed at
Albany
IT is not Impossible, however, to es-
mate the effect Of the Meyer COM
n..tea lavestigasion upon the public.
ms may De summed UP as an unwilling
70 un"lttlng Endorsement of Mayor
islan and his administration as the
fosr honest and the most efficient in
- -. -. - = -