Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-01-12

NdTlOuS departments lOT buO Cnouib6
In answer would state first that the De
partment of Charities asks for $9O,0O0. Tne
amount is the same as the appropriation Ior
1891.
Praises Chief EIliops Economy.
If there is any truth in statistics, the
management Of the Charity Department OF
this city is deserving of comnendation. 1t
is well established fact that the number OF
those who must be cared for at public ex-
pense increases proportionately with the
population. Yet, in face of the fact that the
population of this city has increased almost
100000 in the last decade, its unfortunate
poor are supported at an expense to the
pubic very little in excess of the amount
required under the supervision OF the Board
OF Poor Directors ten years ago.
The amount deemed necessary by the De-
partment of Public Safety is $500 900. This Is
an increase of about 500, 900 over the appro-
priation granted for 1891. or this amount
you, 900 Will be required to carry ont the pro-
visions of an ordinance passed some time
ago, authorizing the employment of so add1-
t1onal men for the Fire Bureau: also the pur-
chase of one water tower, four additional
fire engines and two hose carriages.
As the city will be obliged to relinquish on
April the building on Diamond street at
present used as Central police station. the
remaining Sl5, 500 will be needed to provide
Central police station in some other locality.
These additions to the Fire Bureau are not
only rendered necessary by the character OF
Uilc DullulTRS D6lnR tfeCteu IN Guc DuSlucSS
portions of the city, but by the best interests
OF the general public. At present serious
hre in the lower part of the city demands
the services of the engines from the East
End and the Southside, leaving those por-
tlonS OF tie city unprotected.
A Remedy Needed at Once.
Not only that, but the wear and tear Of
apparatus, and the absolute cruelty to horses,
resulting from long and rapid drives, should
hp tod %1,a snof oil
moment. 1 cannot see how it is possible to
make any material reduction in the sum
total of the estimates OF the department
As has already been stated, the Depart
ment of Public Works asks for an appropr1a-
tion of 50, ,23l, ,306 27. This is an apparent in
crease of s5O4, ,72I 80 over the year past: but
when we consider that items 80 and 40. in the
appropriation ordinance of last year for the
completion of street improvements inter-
rupted by the decision of the Supreme
Court, aggregating $l50000. will not appear
this year, the real increase is $685. 235 p.
The amount demanded by the Department
of Public Works exceeds the expenditures
of the year just closing by almost 40 per
cent. If the amount estimated in this re-
port is granted by Councils, it will require
every cent of the increased revenue from
tax on the largely increased valuations of
property to meet the increased demands of
the departments of Public Safety and Pub
lie Works. There will be nothing left even
WIFI u lO-Inlll TAX EaUe On duNdnCeu Ndlud-
tions to provide tor the increased deficiencies
OF the present year. l cannot, therefore,
think it wise to appropriate the large amount
of money asked for in this report.
Last year there was appropriated for park
purposes 1921, 900, in round numbers. OF this
amount about $500 was used in the pur-
chase of real estate and $4,000 in the con-
struction OF a bridge at Schenley Park, thus
leaving about S120,000 for park improve
ments With this money. noticeable
improvements were made in Schenley and
Highland Parks. And why should it be
necessary to appropriate three or four times
coming year9 The ornamentation of parks
is the work of years, and, while they are an
admitted blessing to the people, there is no
pressing necessity for the expenditure of
enormous sums of money on their improve
ment in any one year.
Nature Requires No Money
Without this the grass will grow. the trees
will put forth their leaves, the birds will
sing and the people will, in the beautiful
days Of summer, continue to visit the parks
for recreation and rest.
While L cheerfully commend the earnest
ness, activity and zeal displayed by the
Chief of the Department. OF Public Works
in providing beautiful grounds for the en-
joyment of the people, /, at the same time,
believe that the appropriation of S407, 900 es
timated for park purposes should be re-
duced to $3.50 900.
Among the items in the estimate for the
Bureau of Highways and Sewers, there is
one of 5000 for feed. This seems high es-
innate for feed for 80 horses-the number
which | am informed are used in the bu-
resu. There is also an item of $40, 500 for al
ditional horses, wagons, carts, etc, for this
bureau, which raises the question as to what
extent it is wise for the city to make invest
ments of this character. mention these
things In the hope that by careful investiga-
tion it may be possible to cut down the esti-
mate for this bureau Sc, 900.
AS, by a contract with the gas company, the
city is entitled annually to about $4,000
worth of illuminating gas free of charge, I
would suggest its use in lighting the market
houses and Municipal Hall, thus eliminat-
ing the item of $1,000 for that purpose in
the estimate for the Bureau of Public Light
ing.
For the Bureau of Water Supply and Dis
there is asked the large sum OF
SSH, 900. of which the principal items are
Sl Sl0o, 600 for ground for new reservoir. s5s-
600 for new rising main at Brilliant sta
tion. S25, 900 for supply pipe to Squirrel Hill,
s6O, 600 for pipe extension and $4,000 for
fuel.
one-half the water used by the city 100 feet
higher than is necessary. That is to say, one
half the water used by the city could be
supplied from an elevation $50 feet lower
ever, has been true for Is years, and whether
it is necessary this coming year to purchase
ground for a new reservoir at a lower level
is matter for your honorable body to seri-
ously consider.
Too Much Paid for Fuel.
Permit me just here to respectfully but
urge the propriety of devising
some means Of procuring cheaper fuel for
The water works. The oil at present used
for that purpose at Brilliant station is cost
ing the city not less than $12, 500 a month, or
vt the rate of $3.50 900 year. 1t is an admit
5ed'fact that coal fuel can be supplied at less
FORE that almost $4,000 should be saved in
this one item of expenditure. Regarding
l cannot speak inte1ligently, for
The reason that, while the streets to be re-
paved are enumerated, the amount pro-
posed to be expended on each one is not
given. The toJal estimate is $450,000, which,
IS has been stated, is an increase of almost
s12S, 900 over that of last year.
In conclusion, permit me to say that in view
Of the general increase in property valua-
lions, and for other reasons set forth in this
earnestly believe that the
AK rate for the ensuing year should not ex-
,eed IA mills.
There are other matters of public interest
% which had intended to refer, but, mas
nnch as this communication has extended
beyond tile limits contemplated, they must
De deferred to some future occasion.
Hoping that the year that has so recently
1awned may bring to you and to all the peo-
pie OF our city prosperity and happiness, /
I'm, Very respectfully,
81. /. GoURLEY, Mayor.