Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-18
DELAY NOT DESIRED.
Mayor Gourley Asks for Prompt Re-
ports From the Chiefs.
THEY'RE ALMOST COMPLETED NOW
No Chance for et-Back to the Appr0pria-
tiOn Ordinance.
IT WILL BE READY At AN EARLY DATE

Mayor Gourley has written letter to
each of the department chiefs, urging on
them the necessity of having their reports
| reach him tomorrow, or as soon after as
possible. His object is to avoid any delay
in getting out the appropriation ordinance
for next year.
The law provides that the head of each de-
partment shall on or before December 81
make report to the Mayor of the opera
tion of his department for the preceding
year, and the estimated necessities of the de-
partment for the ensuing year. These
reports shall show in detail the receipts and
expenditures of the departments, and the
Mayor shall return them with his annual
message to Councils. By getting these re-
ports in early the Mayor hopes to send them
with the message to Councils at the first
meeting in January. This will give Coun-
ellis ample time to consider all questions
arising and get the APPROPRIATION ordinance
through early in February.
No Delay Is Looked For.
There is nothing this time to cause such
delay as occurred last year. At that time
everything was in turmoil over the street
act troubles. The Finance Committee
was somewhat at sea as to the
amount of money the city might have to
spend during the year on this account and
amid great deal of speculation and discus
sion the ordinance was held back until
March was we'll over. When it finally
passed only a week remained in which
people could pay their taxes and be entitled
to the per cent discount. There was a
rush on the Treasurer's Office. city employees
had to wait long time for their pay and
disorder reigned in City Hall. The Mayor
predicts different state of affairs this time,
but nevertheless wants the reports of de-
partments in at an early date to avoid all
possibility of delay.
Chief Brown has his report about ready.
When asked about it yesterday he said
"Our report is about completed and think
it will be ready for the Mayor next Monday.
1t would have been finished by this time
but for the fact that pay day does not come
until the 18th of the month. We had to
wait until threes days ago before we could
begin to get complete figures"
Will Be Completed Soon.
Chief Bigelow has been busy for week
past on his report and it will be ready for
the Mayor before long. Chief Elliot's docu-
ment will also be ready soon.
"The reason asked for the reports at an
early date" said Mayor Gourley yesterday,
sis because on them have to base nv an
nual message to Councils. 1 cannot begin
such a message until 1 have received and
carefully studied the chiefs reports. By
getting them soon now will be able to in
vestigate their principal features andzpre-
pare my communication for presentation at
the first meeting of Councils in January. I
have assurances from Chiefs Brown and
Bigelow that theirs will be ready soon."
AS soon as the fiscal'year closes. January
81, the Finance Committee can get down to
work on the appropriation ordinance.
Nothing can be done prior to this, as the
Controller cannot prepare his statement,
showing the outstanding warrants and other
matters directly influencing the character
and amount of the appropriations, until
after the year has closed. A month then
intervenes. during which the ordinance can
be framed, discussed and adopted. Accord
ing to law the collection of taxes begins
March 1, and the appropriations must be
made prior to that to fix the millage.