MAIN DUTIES

2 years

To levy taxes; borrow money; fix salaries; appro-
priate money; enact ordinances and grant fran-
chises and licenses.

To preside over council. (To act as mayor in case
of death, disability, or absence.)

To see that the laws and ordinances are enforced;
appoint certain officers; send statement of city
affairs to council; command police and firemen
and approve or veto legislation.

Receives the money paid the treasurer, who pays it
out only by order of the comptroller.

To value taxable property and determine each
person's tax.

To receive and pay out city moneys and report to
council.

To keep city records and act as clerk to the council.
Collect city, school, state, and county taxes on city
property.

To prosecute and defend actions and advise other
city officers.

Each department has supervision of a particular
branch of the city's business, such as education,
public works, health, fire, police, charities, etc.
Among these should be classed the municipal civil-
service commission.

"

I

Comptroller..

I

Assessor or board of assessors.

I or 3

I or 2

6 years

To try minor criminal and civil actions.

1 In some cities these two offices are joined into one; the officer elected is called a chamberlain.

QUESTIONS ON THE TEXT

1. In what general features are cities like villages?

2. Why are large cities usually located on some navigable body of water, or near water power or some mineral deposit? 3. Why is the street such an important feature of city life? 4. What is "eminent domain"? How are new streets in a city laid out?

5. For what may streets be properly used? How may individuals obtain the use of the streets for private gain?

6. What is the argument for granting limited franchises? 7. Define "condemnation proceedings," "franchise," "public utilities."

8. If a private corporation is given permission to lay gas mains through the streets, this carries with it the right to tear up the streets to repair those mains even to the blocking of traffic. Is this any reason why such corporations should pay a certain percentage of their gross earnings into the city's treasury in addition to their regular property tax? Discuss fully the principle involved.

9. Mention the principal departments of city government which have to do with the administration of a city's business.

10. What is the source of a city's authority? How is it obtained?

11. What becomes of the town or county government when they are wholly included within the city's boundaries?

12. By granting a charter to cities, does the state lose its control over city affairs?

13. May the state change a city's charter without the city's consent? Explain fully.

14. How are cities classified? To which class does your city belong?

15. What advantages are there in holding city elections separate from state and federal elections?

16. Compare the business of a city with that of a department store, and show their points of similarity and difference. In the administration of city affairs, are the same qualities needed in officials as in the heads of departments in any great business?

17. Why is it so difficult to get men of great business and executive ability to become candidates for office?

18. Who is the chief executive of a city? What legislative powers has he?

19. Explain the duties of the city manager.

CHAPTER VI

GREATER NEW YORK

General Statement. In general, New York City is the same as other cities of the state. But because of its great size, having within its boundaries the five counties of Kings, Queens, New York, Richmond, and The Bronx (one half of the entire population of the state), it seems well to consider it briefly, pointing out wherein it differs in its organization from other cities. The legislature of 1897 granted New York a new charter, uniting several cities and villages which already had charters into one great city. This act canceled all the charters of the villages and cities within the boundaries of the greater city of New York thus created; it also placed large areas of common farm lands, within the five counties above named, within the city limits. The charter provided for the threefold division of the city government characteristic of all forms of American government: namely, legislative, executive, and judicial. The state legislature has the same authority over the city of New York that it has over other cities, protecting the rights of its citizens in the same manner.

New York Legislative Department: its Board of Aldermen. The board of aldermen constitutes New York's chief legislative body. In matters of detail it shares its legislative authority with the board of education in questions pertaining to the schools, with the board of estimate and apportionment in matters pertaining to franchises for the

MEDICAL INSPECTION (above) AND A PURE-MILK DEPOT (below) These two city departments are giving free service under the direction of the city board of health. Impure milk is the means of spreading disease. Medical inspection detects and prevents disease