The New York herald., 1921-09-25
ECONOMY ALONE CAN
PREVENT A DISASTER
T0CI7Y, SAYS BROWN
Meyer Committee Counsel
Finds No Department
Head Ready to Cut by
a Single Dollar.
CITES POLICE BUDGET
Floating Debt of $4,000, 900
i'm Short Term Notes He
Calls a Menace to
City's Credit.
MUST REVERSE COURSE
Pier Lease System Denounced
as Robbery Of Community
in Added Costs Put on
Commerce.
MUST REVERSE COURSE

Former State Senator EIon r.
Brown, counsel to the Meyer legisla-
tive investigating committee, review
ing last night the work of the COM
nittee so far, said it was plain that
unless there is universal economy in
the city government there will be uni
versal disaster" Thrs, he said, was
beyond controversy.
THE committee has examined the
heads of several city departments" he
said. "and has been unable to get an
admission from one of them that he
could lay off n single man or reduce
single dollar of expense. Several are
asking huge increases.
Such course, If persisted in, can
not result in anything but the appli-
cation of the axe, as was the case
with the s27.000,O00 cut off the edu-
cational appropriation this year and
left to be provided for. There cannot
be rearrangement within the re-
sources of the city. This must be re-
versed or there will be financial dis
aster."
The Police Commissioner, Senator
Brown said, got $4,000, 900 this year
and is asking for $33,000,O00 next year.
and other departments ask corre
spending increases. Under such a
system, he said. a budget in 1922 of
s400,o00,Oo0 could not be avoided.
The Senator declared the city had
spent for current expenses $4,000. 900
which should have been applied to debt
reduction, and said its floating debt Of
s2,000.000 in short term notes was "a
menace to its credit"
The committee will continue to-mor-
row its investigation of the Police De-
partment with Commissioner Enright on
the witness stand. Following the COM
pletion of his examination Mr.. Brown
will question Comptroller Charles l..
Craig, Dock Commissioner Murray
Hubert and probably members of the
Board of Education. If Mr.. Brown and
Mayor Hylan can agree upon a date it is
probable too that Mayor Hylan will be
called again as a witness.
Mr.. Brown refused yesterday to in
innate what trend the further examina-
tloI Vi Lltot OHiCidiS 10 iAhCAy W s11Nc'
Hns No Political Errand.
Il have nc DESIRE" Senator Brown
told reporters yesterday, ito play any
part In the present municipal campaign.
But 1t is not my fault If, in the COM
mittee's hunt for facts upon which to
recommend charter revision. we come
upon circumstances that make 1t our
duty to recommend their reference to
the Grand Jury. / regard the appoint
ment of the committee as unfortunate
ut this time. We are not on any politi-
cal errand except in the broad sense of
laying the groundwork for charter re-
vision. 1t is not the purpose of the
committee to hunt for evidence of crime
or to visit punishment upon anybody.
But. as In the case of Commissioner
O'Malley of the Department of Markets
where we come upon evidence that we
think should go to the Grand Jury, 1t is
our duty so to recommend.
Senator Brown then outlined briefly
some OF the developments which he con-
tends have established facts beyond any
successful controversy.
1T cannot be doubted" he said. that
the city's budget for the ensuing year
will be at least s400.000,000 This means
that the financial operations OF the oity
are of greater Importance than any three
States. They should, therefore, be re-
garded from broad. national viewpoint
rather than from local one. In view
of the falling of prices. the increase in
unemployment and other factors the
question OF economic admnistra ton
rises to an importance not possessed in
normal times
II have examined the heads Of various
city departments. but have been unable
TO get from a single one an admission
that he could lay of a single man or
administer his department for dollar
less" Mr. Brown cited the increase In
the budget of the Police Department
from s19.o0o,000 in 1918 to s33, 900. 900.
approximately the amount asked for next
year.
Such general disposition 10 In
crease expenses of administration" Mr.
Brown continued. must result In the
application of the axe. as IT has in the
Department Of Education. This process
must be reversed. The reversal must
bc universal or we will have universal
disaster"