The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-22
WHAT rAxEs ARE NECESSARY.
Comptroller Ferris New System Of
City Accounting.


Comptroller Ferris has completed . new sys-
tenn OF municipal accounts, which will 90 into
effect on July /. He entered upon an entirely
new department Of the city government without
book or form to guide him, and he devised a
rough system of bookkeeping by double entry
which should insure q complete record OF re-
ceipts and disbursements, but not, Is be has
found, sufficiently complete to show ~ readily
as be desired all the details of the government
finances Is has not been an easy matter 20 per-
feet system which should enable the condi-
ton OF every fund 70 be seen at glance, and
keep each balance close up daily as
the law requires, but he believes now
be has done It He is keeping
en- experimental set this month at the same
time keeping the cid books running until the
end OF the half year IL the new system re-
spends to each demand he viii thereafter adopt
IT, So far as can be judged, il will be the most
complete method ever adopted in city affairs.
There can be no doub. that it viii result in the
presentation of a balance sheet of primary and
contingent liability, of bonded and floating in
debtedness such as no former statement has
shown. The financial article of the new charter
was drafted by Mr.. Jacob Furth, and gives evil
denee of being most carefully calculated to have
the municipal account books kept with i'm
maculate exactitude.
With al the care exercised in the revision of
the charter, however, little discrepancy has
erept into the financial article. The scheme OF
revenue and taxation is outlined with perfect
symmetry. but was based upon the old fiscal
year of June to May 30 Il was subsequently
etc rmined TO change that period TO agree with
the calendar year. The names of months in
which certain successive duties were 10 be per
formed were altered accordingly, but by an over
sight the words current fiscal year were re-
tanned, when the article should have read s'suc-
ceeding fiscal year" One result Ia that the
comptroller in calling for estimates from the
departments upon which the council shall de-
termine the necessary assessment for taxation is
compelled TO use this years expenses although
II is next years that are to be provided for.
81 have no option" says Comptroller Ferris
sit may be that was the intention of the charter
makers, but am compelled to read the Law as
find II. do not see any inconvenience. Even
l. the taxes levied in 1891 are not TO provide for
the expenses Of that wear, the city council can
form an opinion as well a. l as 70 what is needed
next year; that 10, If anybody can foretell
curstely what our necessities may be with such
a rapid increase of population. / take the school
expenses OF the first Eve months OF the year, and
the estimates OF the heads of departments for
the remaining seven months, and I get far
more reliable statement than II guessed in
june. as / would otherwise be required to do,
what money would be wanted in 1892. The char
ter gives the council power to make temporary
any deficiency"
Mr. Furth is of opinion that the intention of
the charter is so clear to allow the city coun-
ell no doubt even If, as seems probable, the city
comptroller has no option but observe the strict
letter of the law.
THE provision is merely for the information
Of the council, and as the estimate can only be
approximate there is no harm in basing il upon
the current expenses The council is not bound
by the information given by the comptroller,
which is merely advisory"
The real Importance lies however, in making
it clear that taxes collected in the early part of
the year are for that year, SO that all payments
shall be made in cash. The city is at present in
debt. Ii the taxes for next year are applied to
the payment of this years debts. then next year
the city must for a considerable time
run on credit again. If, however. on December
81, the years books are closed, balance struck,
and the deficiency funded at or per cent, the
city can, thereafter. by ordinary good manage
ment, keep the expenses within its available
cash. The assessment of taxation to cover esti-
mated expenses and the appropriation of GER
tain sum every month within which each de-
partment shall be compelled to restrict its
expenses, is q policy of municipal government
whose virtue none will question.