Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-05-03
NOW In THE SADDLE


funds, nlsatloned above 40 oyvrdravn,
are spseias funds ana tile oonlmon
council are prohibited from transfer
ring money from the regular funds 20
them. The query arises, how can they
DC oyercrasn without using the money
or the other fands aad violating tie
plain provision of the charter, Again,
every order drawn on the treasurer
specifically states that IL be paid out
OF some certain fund whenever there
Is any money in that fund"
sssgssss . Way Out
am not now disposed to express an
opinion whether i, would be good
poli-y for the treasurer, 10 all cases. TO
refuse the payment or an order. when
there ~ no money in the fund, AS Is
often done IN state and municipal gov
ernments. and even by the United
States, but II would have one sslutary
effect by calling our attention pointadly
10 the fact that we were living beyond
our means, and the council, il IL
thought best TO grant relief, would
thus have itsattentiop called specifically
10 the question, whether IL wss best TO
make temporary transfer to the ex-
hausted fund or not before it became
too heavily involved.
Transfers OF money from one sc-
count 10 smother on tho treasurer's
hooks should be ordered promptly
when required, tor the sole purpose OF
squaring accounts. When transfers
appear necessary for any other pur-
pose, they should be ordered upon 6rst
ascertainlng the necessity and the legal
ity of the process, and If they cannot
be made lawfully, and IN accordance
with the charter, they should not be
made at all.
ASH further means of relief recon-
mend that the committee on ways and
means make general overhauling OF
the salaries and pay of all the officers
and employees OF the city and fix them
at such sum ss will adapt them TO our
Strengthened circumstances, giving the
going or market price for all service,
and commencing with the mayor and
| all the officers, If reductions arc to Re
made, instead of cutting down simply
the persons who already get the small
est pay.
The magnitude OF the task which
| devolves upon this council and others
| yet to como in regard to the territory
recently brought within the city limits
becomes more apparent each year.
] am Informed that the area OF our
city is now upwards OF seventeen az
square miles. This indicates gain IN
territory o. about ninety 1901 per cent
over its former area OF nine ~ square
| miles.
The gain in value of taxable property,
by reason of this added territory, 10 q
little under $4,000, 900, gain OF lesi
than ten (l0) per cent.
1t therefore appears thst our city has
assumed charge OF added territory,
am bunting TO 30 per cent OF Its former
area, in consideration of IN addition oil
less than ten (10) per cent OF Its tai
bearing capacity.
1t goes without saying that the terri
tory thus added WAS almost destitute oil
what are usually termed public city
Improvements. The history Of The
municipal year just ended Afford
some indication of its demands IN thai
respect for laying water pipes, for firt
and police protection and street light
ing. for the purchase OF the franchises
OF toll roads, ETC.. etc.
We cannot and should not attemp
TO evade the just demands of Thu
added territory, but should meet III
wants by intelligent, economical snc
we'll devised action, in the line o.
seasonable and appropriate improve
ments.
We are thus constantly meeting ant
incurring new obligations for the ex
pendituse OF money that We canno
avoid, and others are crowding upon u
that We ought not to avoid.
Grand River.
The improvements OF Grand river, I,
open deep waterway TO the lake, is o.
vital importance to the continued pros
perity of this city, and this subject ha
for long time engaged the earnest 1T
tentiou OF large number of our citl
zens. If national Appropriation
should be withheld, il may be CON
sidered of enough importance TO aei
the city to undertake that great work
and attention 10 called to il now simply
that the public. by agitation and dis
cusAon, may be forming q correc
judgment on that subject, il ever callet
upon to vote upon it.
water worka
i To the observant eye Of the tsxpaye
the picture Of our city water work
hangs framed in . bonded debt o
nearly 81, 000, coo, principal and inter
est, and to many the frame looks to-
big for the picture.
Forty per cent of this debt bears in
terest at 8 per cent per annum. One
fourth of the principal of the entir
water works debt will fall due October
1923, 1t having been incurred nearl,
nineteen years ago. and yet the ques
ton of water supply has not so mucl
as approached . satisfactory settle
meut.
notice in the treasurer's report
transfer Of $4,000 from the waite
works income fund to the water work
fund, which Of course can and Will b
used for extending mans or any lik
, object, while in the tax budget for las
year appears An item OF SO, l5l.22 70
water works interest fund, and 1t after
wards appears properly credited /
that fund. but it seems 10 me that u
the present condition Of taxation i
this city ell the surplus income ffor
the water works should be devoted =
J paying interest on the bondt, instes'
, OF being used for other purposes.
Pubtlc Itghts-
A contract for city lighting, extend
ing over . period OF three Isl years ha
heretofore been made, and has been /
, operation so short . time that IL n
mains TO be demonstrated whether Q
not il u TO prove successful. Preser
APPEARANCES Of the lights leave ROOF
for Improvement. Any man that be
ever PAID gas bill knows that high
; can he measured as il IL sold. If lish
J can be measured IN the interest OF To
seller, il must be susceptible of llk
process in the interest," Of the eaycs.