Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-05-26
A STRANDED BARK.
The Municipal Scuw Ashore on the
Shoals OF lmpscunlosity,
With No Immediate Prospect Of Getting
OF-OYer $1,000 in Orders Out
standing. and a .$50,000
Shortage in Sight.

The Council Committee on Finance has
task before Il sad Council has one after it,
and before they both complete it, they viii
find the need OF no little skill. How 10
run the city for the current fiscal year is
the question, making both ends meet. The
finances of the city are not in an. encour-
aging condition and the committee at It's
last meeting wrestled long and severely
without arriving at any conclusion. One
important element in the calculation Is that
the revenue for city purposes is some $780,
600 less, annually, than formerly. Before
the creation of the Board OF Work Com
nissioners, the surplus water revenue was
diverted to general city purposes, and
made very snug sum. In round numb'rs
tie receipts were $4,000 from water rents
and the expenses $4,000 per annum. The
difference OF $50, 90 went into the general
city treasury. Under the Board, the entire
revenue is used for the water works, ex.
cepting about Sic When the loan OF
1871 was made the water revenues, too,
were pledged for the redemption OF the
bonds, and their share is about Sill 900.
The remaining $25 COO is paid out Of the
the city treasury.
The Exchange Bank now holds city pa
per, in the form Of outstanding orders, 10
the amount of 600 in round numbers.
twas over $4,000, but was reduced to its
present figure by the receipts from licen-
ses. But, without taking the debt into
consideration, and allowing the revenues
and expenses to be the same as last year,
the city will be short $50, 900 at the end OF
- nrnvina
is the work of the Finance Committee.
The statute requires, in Msy or June OF
each year, that the standing committee 90
Lights, Water Works, Streets, Alleys and
Grades and Fire Depart ment, shall report
to council an estimate OF their expenses
for the current fiscal year. This has not
vet been done. When the estimates are
made, they will be taken by the Finance
Committee, which will report to Council
what it deems the proper amount to be APP
propriated to the use of each.
The shortage, or the lack OF funds, VIII
fall on the Board of Public Works. which
will be hampered in doing what the peo-
PIE desire most TO see done-Putting the
streets in good condition. The statute
gives Council authority to levy special
tax OF ~ cents on the 800 valuation, for
street purposes, which can however, be
used only for specific purposes. The
Board has the revenue from WnarSeS, po-
lice markets and scales, amounting to
about 10000 per annUm and this small
sum is quickly expended in repairs. The
question Of ordering the 10 cent levy was
before the committee and while no action
was taken, the sentiment seemed IN oppO-
slt!on to the levy.
The practicability aud adTissbility OF a
loan was also discussed, but the committee
thought the people we're opposed TO loans
aud would not ratify another. With all
their figuring the city would be. At the end
OF the first year. so, coo more in debt, with
tie $7j. eco Of ORDERS outstanding not in
Guided. Where TO cut down on expenses
can not readily be seen. No one could
point out IN arm of the city government
where a retreDChment To anything like
that amount could be made.
The general city government received
the revenue from taxes and licenses, and
has to pay out for salaries for police. for
fire department and for the various COM
mitteeS and contingent expenses, besides
providing for the redemption of and inter
est upon outstanding bonded Indebtedness.
How little il is prepared to do this Is evil
dent from the SIS, 900 OF outstanding
orders. In tive wears the loan OF 1871 will
have been paid, but how TO tide over until
thar time Is the problem to be worked out.
The Finance Committee will meet again
next week IL is fortunate in having upon
il some excellent business men and tinsn-
Ciers. W. a. wills n, John II. Hall w.
F. Peterson and y. Wilkinson, are all men
OF ability and experienced in business
affairs. Ii there is any way ont, they can.
faS1 IN G0l II