Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-13
AN EXECUTIVE MESSAGE.

Mayor Gourley Sends Communication to
Councils Suggesting Economical Meth
ods-Analyzing the Reports From the
Departments-Figuring on Next Years
NIillage.
Mayor Gourley's message to Councils was
presented to the Common branch by Chief
Clerk 0stermaier and was read by President
Holiday. Accompanying the communica-
tion were the reports and estimates of the
Chiefs of the Departments of Public Safety,
Works and Charities, City Controller, City Treas
urer, Board of Assessors, Secretary of the
Central Board of Education and the Mayors
Office
His Honor first gives the appropriations esti-
mated as necessary to carry the city depart
ments through the coming fiscal year as fol-
lows: Department of Public Works. sl,742,-
739 80; Department of Public Safety s6SS, $50 26;
Department of Charities. $50 900; Controllers
estimate for interest on bonded debt, sinking
funds. outstanding warrants, printing. salaries,
etc, Sl,5S5, 400: Central Board of Education,
S4l4 80; judgments, estimated by Controller,
$4,000; total estimates for the year 1891,
s., $50. .256 I6.
Commenting on this, the Mayor SAYS: ''The
full amount appropriated in 1880 was 81 045 415:
increase of estimate for 1891 over appropriation
for 1880 S543 Isl l6. The estimated receipts for
the present year from sources other than city
tax OF IS mills were 81. .4S5, ,475 This sum can he
10 creased N next years estimated receipts by
S20, al 90. which the city schools will receive
from the State in excess of the estimate for the
present year. also by $4,000 increase IN the es-
minated receipts from the Mayors office over
the amount fixed for this year, thus giving us
at least the approximate amount of 81 47O, GIG Sc,
which will be received outside the city tax.
This will leave to meet the estimated require
mentS, s., llS,3S0 GO. 10 be raised by CITY tax,
which is an increase over the amount for the
present year of S50S 339 60, and to secure the
amount would require tax levy of Il mills on
a valuation of SlS1 0000o0. A tax levy of Is
mills on valuation of SlS4. 600 600 will produce
The sum of s. 100 0U0 sos S29 60 less than the
amount required by the estimates. 1t follows,
therefore that if the millage is to remain at
what 1t is for the present year the estimates
must be cut down S35S. 339 60. If the millage is
reduced the premium will have to be consid-
erably increased.
AnalyzinG the Department Reports.
The Mayor refers to the Importance of giving
every facility to the City Treasurer and tine
Board of Assessors; speaks highly of the econ
omy shown by the Department of Pnblic Char
itIes. which asks for no more than 1t received
three years ago; attributes the increase asked
for by the Board OF Education, SIS, 600. to the
rapid growth of population, and then takes up
the reports of the Departments of Public
Works and Public Safety, as follows:
The following statement presents the
amount annually expended by the city during
the past six years for the maintenance of the
fire. police and Board of Health departments
Department of Public Safety: For the year
1885. S360G00; for the year 1885, 594 Q0p; for the
So 400 for police telegraph and 81 900 for a
garbage furnace, For the year 1855, S6S4,-
500 00: for the year 1889, 654, 800 TO- for
the year 1890 10000 CO. estimated for
1881, 6SS, S66 26. AS shown by this the amount
of money expended by the Department
OF Public Safety during the year 1890 is almost
double the amount expended by the Depart
ments Of ire, police and Board of Health for
the year 1885. The notable increase in the ex-
penditures of this department Is partially ex-
planned in the fact that during the past three
years almost S20O.000 have been spent in the
buying OF lots, in the building, remodeling, re-
pairing and furnishing of engine and station
houses and in the hitting up and furnishing of
OH ses. OF this sum almost Sc 900 were spent
during the present year.
In view of what has been done in the line of
improvements indicated, is it not possible to
defer some of the contemplated improvements
of a 81 2laT character and thus reduce the esti-
mates Of the Department of Public Safety for
the coming year? 1t is certainly true that
many improvements were necessary in this de-
partment; but whether some OF these improve
ments have not been more eIabol ate and ex-
pensive than the necessities require is Ques-
tion concerning which various opinions may be
entertained.
have disposition to criticise. except in
the klndest spirit. any of the actions of a de-
partment which has been managed with ex-
ceptIonal ability and which has effected rad
lcal reformation in the police administration of
this city.
Economy in Public Works Advised.
The estimated amount required by the De-
partnent of Public Works for the ensuing year
is s.. az, 739 90 which is an increase over the
amount appropriated last year OF S4T9. .239 80. 1t
is obvious there that If the tax levy for 1891 is
not to be increased the estimates of this de-
parUme2t must be cut down almost If not alto
gether, S40o,00O The Department of Public
Works is one of great magnitude and en-
braces wide range of operations. To meet
the expenses attending the management and
work of such department requires a large
amount OF money; and have no doubt that the
sum estimated for the next year could be iu-
diciousy expended. Many of the streets
probably more than half tile estimate could be
used for that purpose alone Many other i'm
provementS may be- and doubtless are. desir-
able and important. But can the city afford to
appropriate all the money that may be deemed
necessary at the present time for these pur-
poses? l am very free to state that in my judg-
ment she cannot. a l5-mill tax on the city val
uauon of to-day IS just about equal to 24-mill
tax on the valuation of lSS6, and yet the levy
for that year was but Ii mills"
His Honor refers to the gratifying increase
In the receipts of his Office; intlmates that too
many buggies are kept for the use of CITY
officials; says that some city employees are not
competent and should be weeded out and con-
cludes by stating that the prompt action of the
Finance Committee on the street question had
rendered unnecessary the conference he had
called for Today
Received the Usual Reference.
Mr.. Magee moved that the report with the
concurrence of Select Council, be referred to
the Finance Committee
Nj. BIgham said he thought that motion very
proper in view of the way the Select branch
had kept the last Mayors message from the
Common branch.
Mr.. ODOnneI thought the report should be
treated with respect. 1t should follow the
ordinary course, 90 to Select Council and then
to the Finance Committee.
Mr.. hagee said II was not question of re-
spect TO the message. 1t was question of the
dignity of the Council. aud he had more regard
for that than for any other coordinate branch
of the city government. This Council had the
right to refer this message where it pleased but
as a matter of courtesy he wanted it sent to Sc
lect Council.
Mr.. O'Donnell maintained that the Council
could not refer, but had TO send the message to
Select Council. The latter body he said had
dore wrong in referring the last message before
sending IL 10 Common Council
Mr. Magee's motion was adopted and the
Chair directed that the message be sent to Sc
lecs Council. where, on motion of Mr.. Keating
Common Councils action was concurred in