Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-03
CUTTING CITY TAXES.
Controller Morrow Assures a Reduc-
ti0n of at Least One Mill.
A POSSIBILITY OF A 13-MlLL TAX.
Mayor Gourley Expected to Produce His Own
Appropriation Bill.
NO DANGER OF A DEFICIT THIS YEAR

In view of the expected continued strin-
gency in the money market during the COM
ing year, it is anticipated that the city tax
for 1891 will be reduced at least mill from
the present tax.
There is possibility that the tax will be
cut down as much as 2H mills. OF course
SO many extensive Improvements will not be
made during the coming year as during the
past year.
Controller Morrow has for some time been
working out the plan whereby the present
city tax of Is mills will be reduced, but so
far he has kept most of the details of his
plans to himself He, however, is authority
for the statement that the tax will be re-
duced at least one mill. While he thought
the reduction might be as much as ~ mills,
he was not positive.
BOUND TO BE REDUCTION.
"You can rest assured Mr.. Morrow
said, there will be reduction, and 1t
won't be less than mill. 1t ought to be
three mills. In view of the monetary
stringency that seems to be growing all over
the country we have good reason to expect
a pretty hard year on the people next year.
and for that reason should like to see the ex-
penses of every department. of the city govern
ment cut down as low as possible and nothing
attempted in the way of expensive improve
ments, so that next years expenses will be only
what is absolutely necessary. If this is done
believe the millage will not be over 13 mills, if
that. But if no such retrenchments are made,
and the improvements are carried on, i believe
We will have a lower mlllage than this year"
The Controller had conferences with each of
the chiefs of departments yesterday, ana.
NF fnllr
learned that the Controller was endeavoring to
impress upon the chiefs the necessity of present.
ing unusually modest estimates to the Finance
Committee for next years appropriations.
There was a good deal of talk and some
amusement about City Hall yesterday over
pretty well authenticated rumor, that the
Mayor is preparing an appropriation ordinance
on his own account, for presentation TO the
Finance Committee. whom he will ask to adopt
it, As the preparation for an appropriation
ordinance generally requires half dozen per-
sons to prepare, some of the officials about the
hall discredit the rumor. while Others laugh at
it as plan of the Mayors to get public COM
mendaton for zeal IN the city's behalf A call
was made upon the Mayor, at his office, but he
was busily engaged IN conferences with yari-
Gus Councilmen, and his statement could not
be had.
THE CONTROLLERS EYES OPEN.
Controller Morrow is also guarding against a
deficit. In consequence he yesterday sent
notices to all the chiefs of departments an
nouncing that their appropriations were rum
ming short. and that they would have to use
care for the next two months. The printing
fund is also about exhausted, and no more
printing can be done. AS a result. no more
ordinances can be printed for Councils. The
only thing that can be done will be for people
who are interested in the various ordinances to
have them printed at their own expense.
Chief Brown said he did not think there was
any danger OF q deficit this year, and Chiefs
Elliot and Bigelow both expect to pull through
on their present appropriations.