Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-01-12
ALLEGHENY MILLAGE.
The Finance Committee Cannot
Agree on the Proper Rate.
"A TAX LEVIED ON BASEBALL.
The Pittsburg Willow WielderS Hust
Pay So Per Game.
WORK OF THE AUDITING COMMITTEE


preparation ordinance. The unfinished por
tion of the Department of Public Works
was taken up and completed. The estimate
for the Library Committee was placed at
$50, 800, divided as follows: For books,
SIC, 200, for music hall, $40, 900, and for sal
aries and other expenses, $4,000.
Wharfs and landings were placed
at s., 52S; markets, s7,231. The
estimate for the market house includes
appropriations for repairs on the market
house. An estimate of Sc, 600 was added for
the water works, previously acted upon, to
provide for a new battery of four boilers.
The Department of Charities was given
$40, ,4S9 10 as against $40, III % last year.
This, added to the estimates previously
decided upon, makes the total estimated ex-
penditures amount to s., ,OsO, 900, as against
S990,00O last year. The following are the
estimated revenues:
business tax, $4,000; water tax. 5000 O10:
sewer tax, $1,000; Mayors office, sl7,345 IS;
markets, Sl9,693 "a; Diamond scales,
$l,7sQ IS; wharfs and landings, 5000:
superintendent of engineering and
survey, $5N; Superintendent of water
446 80: health department, s465: vehicle Ii
cense, $4,000: peddlers' license, $9.s53 II;
Pittsburg. Fort Wayne and Chicago Rail-
wav Company, $3400; outstanding taxes.
$4,000; liquor license, 100000; collection of
school tax, 81, 500; Carnegie Hall, $4,000: street
railway, $10,C00 switch license $1,000; high
ways and sewers, s9OO total, s4s2, ,932 SO.
Figuring on Reduced Millage.
When these questions had all been decided
upon the question of millage came up. The
idea was that it should be less than last
year. The city will derive considerably
more from liquor licenses this year than
last. Under the new law the city gets 5000
from every license. Last year only s., 900 was
gotten from the street railway companies.
This year it is expected the amount will be
increased to $4,000. 1t is proposed here
after not to grant the free use of Carnegie
Hall for entertainments, so that the rev.
enue from this source will be considerably
increased.
According to the estimates about 5000, 600
must be raised by direct taxation to meet
the estimated expenses. The committee
figured first on mills. This would raise
$3.50, 900. Last year the valuation was S51,-
500, 900 and the mllage was fixed at II. There
was some doubt expressed as to 9 mills
being sufficient. Nh. Dahlinger proposed
that $4,000 be expended for new engine
houses instead of $4,000, and that only two
be built instead of three, and that they be
placed in the Eleventh and Twelfth wards.
Mr.. Nesbit opposed this strongly, as one of
three provided for was intended for his
ward, the Tenth. Mr.. Kennedy opposed
any increase in taxation.
Mr.. Nesbit insisted on having an engine
house in the Tenth ward. Mr.. Kennedy
said he did not care how it was arranged,
but there must be decrease in taxation.
No Decrease for Engine Houses.
The motion to decrease the estimate for
engine houses was withdrawn. Another
balf hours figuring developed the facts in
the minds of the committee that 912 mills
would give q sufficient sum.
Mr. Nesbit, in order to make sure of get
ting everything he wanted for his ward
moved that it be placed at 10 mills.
Mr.. Gerwig thought that was more than
Mr. Nesbit should ask for. He was certain
tha for the last four years the Tenth ward had
been getting something every year.
The discussion was continued until al
most II o'clock, and finally the matter was
referred to Controller Brown, with instruc-
tions to go over the estimates carefully and
determine what millage should be levied
and report to an adjourned meeting of the
committee tonight.
It was the general impression among city
officials last night that 919 mills would be
decided upon.
The regular meeting of the Allegheny
Auditing Committee was held last night.
The report of the auditors to the sub-com-
mittee, showing the amounts due from the
different street railway companies for street
cleaning and car and dividend taxes, was
read.
A resolution was passed asking Councils
to instruct the Mayor to send out bills.
The experts were directed to examine the
books, and determine what taxes natural
gas companies owe the city.
Discussing Licenses for Shows.
The committee then took up the three Or
dirances prepared by the special committee
on curative legislation, and referred by
Councils to the Auditing Committee. The
first was the one providing for shows and
exhibitions. The rates charged are the same
as now provided by ordinance. One change is
that no permit shall be granted for any
show, ETC., to be given in house where
liquor is sold or given away. No license
fee will be required for entertainments, etc.,
the proceeds of which are to be devoted to
charitable purposes.
Considerable discussion followed about
the Pittsburg baseball club As it was char
tered in New Jersey, it was claimed that it
is not home club and the Chairman de-
cided that they would have to pay S. per
game. The ordinance was then referred to
Councils.
Tie second ordinance provided for the
licensing of vehicles. 1t was amended to
compel all owners of vehicles to make re-
turn to fhe City Treasurer before MAY 1 of
each year, under oath, of all vehicles in
their possession. The other ordinance related
to the receiving and paying out of city
moneys. 1t provided that the Mayor
should turn in to the City Treasurer once a
wear all witness fees collected by him and
not called for. On motion of Mr.. Lewis
this was amended, requiring him to turn in
the uncalled-for fees once a month. The
ordinance was then approved.