New-York tribune., 1921-08-13
City Finances
Face Chaos by
Excess i'm Debt
Many Citizens May Refuse
to Pay 24,OOO,OOO in
Taxes Called Outside the
Legal Limit at Inquiry
Suit to Test Validity
Worth of Millions in Bonds
Involved; Meyer to End
Hylan Uproar at Probe

A new light was cast yesterday on
certain of the disclosures before the
Meyer legislative committee investiga-
tion of the present city administration,
wherein it was contended by Elon R..
Brown, the committees chief counsel,
that the city had levied $24,O00,0oO in
taxes and incurred Sl2O,o0o,0O0 in debts
in excess of its constitutional right.
It was pointed out that many tax
payers, on the basis of this contention,
may refuse to pay their taxes until the
question is definitely settled in the
courts, causing endless confusion and
embarrassment in the city's financial
affairs. 1t was thought by others, how
ever, that test case might be brought
by one taxpayer and thus obviate the
possibly perilous results of the situa-
ton.
Bonds May Be 1nYalidated
In the matter of the alleged illegal
debts, there is the possibility, it was
pointed out, of millions of dollars
worth of bonds being invaldated if the
contention of the committees counsel
is sustained in court action. 1t is ex-
pected that a legal decision on this
point also will be sought.
Senator Schuyler Nj. Meyer, chair
man of the legislative committee, in
dicated yesterday that he was deter
mined to see that there are no further
repettions Of the noisy demonstrations
by friends of Mayor Hylan that marked
his three examinations.
The Senator wrote letter to Com
missioner Of Police Enright, request
ing him to have the necessary officers
on hand at the next session of the
committee, Tuesday morning, to assure
an orderly hearing.
There have been slight but recur-
ring disorders" wrote Senator Never.
at certain hours at the public sessions
Of the joint Legislative committee in
vestigating the affairs of the City Of
New York. The resolution under which
the committee was appointed provides
in part that the committee shall have
the assistance and cooperation of the
officers and employees Of the City of
New York
Committee Asks Protection.
pursuant thereto request that you
take such steps as you may deem ad-
visable to see that the public sessions
may be conducted in an ORDERLY man
ner without unnecessary noise or dis
turbance. The next meeting of the
committee will take place at the CITY
Hall on Tuesday. August 16, at 10: 20
a. M. and at such following dates as az
may be announced by me at the close
Of each session"
Senator Meyer said also tba+ bo
thought that Mayor Hylan should see
TO 1t, too, that these disturbances are
not permitted to retard the inquiry
and threatened to have the doors
closed to the municipal employees be-
lieved to be involved in the demon
strations. We are glad to have mu-
niclpal employees AS we'll as any one
else attend the hearings" he added.
but it is obvious that they must con.
duct Themselves in an orderly man
ner."
There was no comment from Com
missioner Of Accounts Hirshheld or
any of the other department heads.
whose departmental expenses were
shown by the testimony before the
committee to have increased enormous
ly since Mayor Hylan took office.
Expense Remedy Sought
Failing in his efforts to obtain some
light from the Mayor on the cause of
these extraordinary increases, or how
they may be reduced, Mr.. Brown has
decided to question Comptr roller Craig
next Tucsday morning. In this CON
ncction, the committees counsel com
mcnted, he is merely complying with
the threc-day plant Of the Mayor:
"Sce the Comptrollcr, get it from
Craig; the Comptroller can tell YOU"
Mr.. Craig admitted receiving lcttc n
(Contjnusd on mana threel