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

WOW BeS any place.
you think that power ought to be
given to the city,"
81 think that power ought to be given
to the city, and I think great deal
of saving and at least a great deal
more efficiency could be effected"
But you have not made any plan
from which you have estimated what
saving could be made by that means -
"No, | haven't any plans except we
have some hope some day of getting
it,"
Duplication in Departments
"Well. have you made up your mind,
during your experience, as to any con-
solicitations that you think ought to be
made?"
"No, not definitely. think first
that we ought to get the power for the
Estimate and Apportionment to con-
solidate these departments and work it
out scientifically"
HAS it appeared to your mind that
there was any duplication Of service in
the departments which could be abatcd
by combination ?"
"There may be duplication Of service
that might be abated. l haven't any
particular case at this time. I thought
about it from time to time, but never
reached definite conclusion"
Can you tell me whether the num-
Der Of employees in the city, as d
whole" asked Mr.. Brown, "has in
creased or decreased during your term
of Office"
81 think increased" replied the
Mayor. "There are in the neighbour ood
of 400 or 800 in the Department OF
Education and about 800 in the Police
Department, and l think about $50 in
the Fire Department. and ] think in
some other departments, like the Tenc-
ment House Department, | think there
is about 50 of decrease; in the Water
Department think 14o some odd
Mr. Brown here referred to q re-
port the Mayor had received from Com
missioner of Accounts Hirshfield IN
November, 1920. wherein it was set
forth that during the last three years
there has been an increase in the
budget due to mandatory legislation
amounting to nearly $4,000, 000."
The matter of reducing the number
of employees working for the city and
the elimination of duplication and
overlapping was then taken up.
Have you at any time" asked Mr.
Brown, given consideration to the re-
duction in the employment of inspec-
tors employed by the city, combining
their functions?"
81 have thought of it, but there was
no definite conclusion.'
You have made no plan in relation
to it?"
"No plan, because we had practically
no power to consolidate"
you think there are too many in
spectors? 2"
Yes, sir. think there are too
many inspections"
"Too many inspections, and you
think that the inspections could be
made for different purposes by the
same man where they are now fire.
quently made by different men?'
81 am inclined to think that that
would be proper"
1t here developed there were 2,173
inspectors in the various departments
of the city.
The salaries for these inspectors, it
was shown, amounted to 81 1854 ,4O6 an
nually. Friendly offers of assistance
in connection with the gathering of
data on the point were exchanged be-
tween the Mayor and the committee 3
counsel.
IF ! can be of any service to you,
Mr. Mayor, at any time" protfered
Mr.. Brown. "you can call upon me-"
Walker Has Word to Say
and if I can be Of any service to
you, you can call upon me-" returned
the Mayor. At which Senator James
J. Walker, the minority leader in the
Legislature. remarked: "They are both
assisting each other-out"
forces of the city the Mayor said that
there could be some consolidation; that
he thought some savings could be eff.
fected here. but had not mapped Out
any plans with this in view. He knew
that there were about 1876 persons
employed in the engineering depart.
nents Of the city.
1t was at this point that Senate,
Walker got up and made what Mr.
Brown called stump speech with ref
erence to the school teachers salary
Guiding Watertown, Herkimer and sec.
ond and third class city charters, add
ing: eve would like TO run our show
for a little while"
Mr.. Brown, after Directing to Sena
tor Walkers speech, remarkinc thai
the Senator thinks this is debate If
the Senate finally declared
Mr.. Chairman, | am willing, if
have the backing of the committee, te
fi'NCCN Will tiliS lIlNcStlRdJlOn. BUl
| am wholly unwilling and shall de.
cline to proceed with the investigation
for the committee il matters such as
have been discussed by Senator Walker
ore not discussed in camera and the
policy OF the committee settled as {
whole. II we are to have from time
10 time a stump speech by membe
Of the committee in relation to the
conduct of the business of the com.
mlttec the committee will emplo,
other counsel very soon. l want thai
understood fully and ] mean what
say, and the committee will have tc
take charge of itself and manage Itself
in way so that it is possible TO,
counsel TO conduct this examination in
the way examinations arc usually con
Quoted by counsel'
Walker reJoined that he would re
sign rather than be gagged.
Budget Increases Barred.
The matter Of budget appropriation:
Tor the last five years was then take1
up, 1t being shown that the budgets hat
increased every year.
Said Mr. Brown: Now find that tn,
budget appropriation for department.:
vas 5000 900 900; 1918. $3.50, OOO, 600
1919, 100000, 900; in 1920, 1854 900, 600
and find that the budget appropria
ton in 1921. from q compilation from
the budget. is 1913, 900. showing al
increase IN these appropriations o.
- 100000 since 1917 and 1888, 900 ,OOt
since 1918"
"Well, know that it has increased,
/ SAID the Mayor
1917 more than so Isr cent
eyes"