New-York tribune., 1922-06-18

The committee Of city budget and
municipal affairs Of the Brooklyn Real
Estate Board has made a report sug-
eesting changes in the charter which
il thinks would help in the economic
and efficient operation Of the city
government. The committee says, how
ever that good government is not nee
essarily a matter Of charter or good
laws. Good government can be Sc
cured by the voters OF the city whether
a charter is good or bad. A charter
which might be agreeable 20 all would
not prove successful, the committee
points out il inefficient officials were
selected 20 operate under It's proyi-
sions.
Here are some Of the changes sug-
gested by the committee for submls-
sion 70 charter revision commission:
Change Tax Machinery
The committee advocates the separa-
tion Of the power Of assessment and
power in review into two distinct de-
partments or boards with the power Of
appointment 20 these boards coming
through cOAtANo An AUANNHnF
A tax board Of ono commissioner
from each borough Of the city. appoint
ed oy the Borough President In each
borough, terms 10 overlap, insuring
continuity OF policy.
A board Of review Of one commits
sioner from each borough appointed by
the Mayor. This board should arrange
for continuing public hearings and
should have the benefit Of the opinions
OF active real estate brokers operating
in the different sections of the city.
An opportunity for closer contac,
with expert knowledge Of values, OBJ
tanned from sources independent OF
and outside Of the city organization and
distinctly representative OF the differ
ent sections Of the city, should be pro-
vided for in either a tax board or q
board Of review as recommended.
The establishment OF a central pur-
chasing department 10 be made an
elctive body consisting Of three COM
misSioners or appointed by the Mayor
from civil service list is urged This
department would prepare a yearly
budget showing the requirements in
detail OF the various departments, all
supplies for all departments and for
oil bureaus. both for the city and the
county TO be purchased by this depart
ment. with or without bids under sit
able reglations.
Scrap Overlapping Bureaus
The functions exercised By the Bor-
ough Presidents with respect % the
building bureaus should be transferred
TO a building department. so consti.
tuted as 20 insure general rules OF city
wide application but separate opera
tlon in the several boroughs. To this
department should be transferred ac-
tiyities. powers and duties Of the Ten
ement House Department and those OF
the Fire Prevention Bureau with re-
lstion to construction. The Tenement
House Department and the Fire Pre-
yention Bureau should be abolished
and the powers OF the Fire Prevention
! Bureau in relation 20 occupancy o.
buildings transferred 20 the Fire De-
partment.
The Sinking Fund Commission and
the Office Of City Chamberlain should
be abolished and their powers trans.
ferred 70 the Board Of Estimate and
Apportionment.
Public welfare work should be under
the direction Of one commissioner
known as the Commissioner OF Publ,
Welfare. in whom shall be vested ful
I Jurisdiction covering work now done
by the Bureau Of Child Welfare, the
! Department Of Health. Bellevue and
Allied Hospitals, ambulance service
the present Department Of Public Wei
fare and all other work In connection
with donations Of city money through
charitable institutions.
Generally the appropriating body OF
the city should have power 70 abolish
or consolidate conflicting or unneees'
,ary bureaus and departments.
Economies Recommended
The great increase in the city bud
get from more than s2ll,0O0,0oo n
1917 20 more than 1851 100000 In 1872
requires some check in the charter, s.
that the expenses Of conducting th'
city may be kept within reason, and
in that respect, the committee recon
mends:
/. Ahsslass s>atTsi ~ the sppro