New-York tribune., 1921-04-28
Mayor to Veto.
Own Pay Raise
And Police Bill
Indicates Disapproval Also
of Sparrow Cop Legis-
lation Urged at Hearing q
as Vital to Park Morals
Guards Chamberlain Job
Rejects Measure Abolishing
Office Despite Indict-
ment Presented by Craig

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On :ifty weight bills concerning munich
pal administration Mayor Hylan ex-
pressed his disapproval of the measure
which calls for an increase in the sala-
ries Of the Mayor and Comptroller Of
the City of New York from $4,000 to
$4,000, and that of the president Of
the Board Of Aldermen from $1,000 to
$4,000.
The Mayor also intitmated that he
would disapprove the police bill Great
ing permanent detective division of
seven hundred men. Strong opposition
to the bill was voiced during the hear
ing. Sergeant Water J. Joye, presi-
dent of the Sergeants' Association, and
representatives Of the Captains Asso~
clatlon. opposed the measure. They
contended that it was class legislation
and aimed to benefit a favored few at
Police Headquarters. They said that it
overrode Civil Service requirements
and that it would cost the city 5000 900
year in additional salaries. Besides
the increased cost, the bill would pre-
vent thousands of uniformed men from
qualifying for the position, Lieuten-
ant Joseph Courtney said.
Against Sparrow Cops" Bill
third bill, which the Mayor indi-
Gated that he would disapprove. was
the one which provides 1926 park keep-
ers, or sparrow cops" Ali the Park
commissioners and representatives of
clvlc societies apd mothers associa-
tons appeared in favor Of the legisla-
ton. They declared that moral condi-
tlons in the parks warranted such an
addition to the force. No one ap-
peared in opposition. The Mayor hint
ed that he would disapprovc on the
ground that such law would cost
100000 a year.
The Mayor vetoed the bill passed by
the last Legislature abolishinr the
once of City Chamberlain. In q memo
tandum submitted to the Mayor, Comp
troller Charles L. Craig urged the ap-
proval of the bill, charging that the
manipulation of public funds and the
arbitrary action Of the Chamberlain's
ONCE has not only become public
scandal and matter of general noto-
rlety, but has gravely affected the
conquer cuad;t OF public business and the
Comptroller Craig's indictment Of
the Chamberlain's office in his memo
fahdum to the Mayor was considered
strong. He said that "the most flagrant
acts" on the part of the City Chamber
lam were his persistent overdeposit-
ing in the Chase National Bank Of vast
sums OF public moneys in excess of the
amount that may be legally on deposit
IN that bank. the switching of large
sums, amounting to many millions of
'hoilars at time, from other banks.
which have loaned money to the City
OF New York, to the Chase National
Bank, with the result that banks en-
deavoring to do business with the citv
are confronted with the depletion Of
tnelr own reserves, and the fattcning
OF the reserves of the Chase National
Bank through the favoritism and arbi-
trary action of the Chamberlain: and
aggfavatlng all Of this, is the persist
ent intrigue on the part of the Cham
oerlaln with certain Wall Street in
terests in an attempt to force the CITY
OF New York into the sale of lonp-term
corporate stock at high rate of in
terest.
Interest Payment Called Illegal
AT one time" the Comptroller con-
tinued, the Chamberlain had $31 ,O44 66O
on deposit with the Chase Bank, when
the amount permitted by law was
S18,7O8,573. The great bulk of the
money thus illegally deposited in the
ohase Bank was that belonging to the
SINKING fund and special and trust
tund accounts, no part of which NAV
be lawfully used for the payment of the the
Guys running expenses. In order to
meet warrants drawn for running ex-
penses the Chase Bank had to permit
the the city treasury account to be over
drawn raw, to the extent of several million
dollars for days at time. On these
overdrafts the Chamberlain illegallv
paid interest to the Chase Bank with.
ort the formality of a voucher or y
proper warrant, and his illegal action
IN TINS regard has been passed unno-
tlced by the Commissioner of Accounts
or, IT noticed, concealed
The responsibility for such prac-
.ices' as we'll as for the persistent in
trlgue, against the city's credit bv the
Chamberlain, rests with the Mavor bv
@ wnom the Chamberlain has been sn-
pointed and continued in office and with
whom he is in immediate personal CON-
tact. Such practices and intrir,,a can-
pube puf be 1teTatt justed Upon any ground Of
should interfere with public bnsiness vsUs
is unthinbable and intolerable. '''e''