Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-01-03
HURRYING THIS TINE.
Object to Star Chamber Work on the
Appropriation Ordinance.
FIGURING ON THE '92 MILLAGE.
The Finance Committee Approves the
Market House Lease, Causing
MORE INDIGNATION OUT FIFTH AVENUE

1t is evident that the Finance Committee
of Councils intends this year to avoid the
public displeasure over its negligence in
repofting the annual appropriations
! ordinance TO the city's legis-
lators. Last year, it will be remem-
bered, that important ordinance was
not presented until a month after the time
when it should have been passed and in
operation. That tine committee desires to
be more punctual this year was shown yes
terday. At meeting in the City Attor-
ney's Office the ordinance was referred to a
subcommittee of five, with instructions to
report at as early date as possible.
In connection with the appropriation or
dnance, Controller Morrow was asked yes
terday what the miIlage for the ensuing
fiscal year would probably be. He said he
could not tell but thought it would fall be-
low Is mills
''My reason for this conclusion is that
while the city valuation will be largely in
creased there will be no good reason for in
creasing the appropriations and, therefore.
if Is mills was enough this year, less will
be required. The Board of Assessors ex-
about $50, 600, 900, making it in the neigh
borhood of s210,0OO.0oO. By the improve
ment of large number of streets in the
East End property heretofore classed as
rural and assessed at only. three-fourths of
its value will this year be assessed at its
ull valuation.
A Change of Classification.
A ha 10
heretofore classed as agricultural and as
sessed at half Its value will be changed to
the rural classification and. assessed at
three-tourths of its value. BY this ar
rangement the tax will be increased with
out increasing the valuation, and the pro-
portion Of taxes collected on the total valu-
alton of the city will be much larger than
heretofore. As for the appropriations, L
can see no good reason why they should be
much, if any, larger than last year. Con-
sidering these points it seems plain that the
millage should be reduced. 1t might be
possible to fix the levy this year as low as
Il or IL mills
Chow about the deficiency" was asked.
Will it be very large?"
"Well, that we can't tell as vet, but I can
say it will not be as large as l expected
some time ago. OF course the deficiency
will play an important part in fixing the
millage, but we will not be able to tell
what its exact extent will be for SOME time.
But it will be larger than last year.
There was unexpected opposition in the |
Finance Committee to Mr.. Keating's motion
for referring the appropriation ordinance
to subcommittee. A. c. Robertson |
offered an amendment to have the matter
considered by the committee of the whole. |
II hat fotr 70 f1,al
balance of the committee, to Councils or to |
the people to allow the making of the years |
appropriations to five men. That was what !
it practically amounted to under the custom |
that has prevailed.
Opposed to Star-Chamber Methods.
This subcommittee made up the amounts |
to be allowed to the various departments |
and reported to the committee, but the |
other members could not understand why |
certain sums were allowed for this or that |
purpose or why other sums were allowed |
at all. If the matter was considered by the t
whole committee, on the principle that |
two heads are better than one, the men, |
bers could all assist in the preparation of |
the ordinance and make it more satisfactory |
to all sections of the city. 1t did not look |
right, said Mr.. Robertson, for such an i'm
portant measure to be taken out of the |
hands of the committee and given over to a |
few of its members
w. A. Magee, Chairman of the commit
tee, declared that if the whole committee |
would attempt to do the work it would !
take three months to get it into shape salts |
factory to all.
''The custom has been to refer the appro-
priation ordinance to a committee of fye,''
said he, '"and as it has always proven salts
factory, 1 see no reason for making a |
30 h. Nd,
into Councils as early as possible, and I |
think the old plan will best accomplish that |
end"
The other members took part in the dis
cussion and for time it was lively, the re-
marks of the speakers being plainly heard
beyond the closed door of the meeting
room. Those active IN support Of Mr..
Robertson's amendment were Messrs |
Binder and Paul. and they stuck to him
until the matter came to vote When the
first vote was taken there was tie, but
division being called Mr. Paul changed to
the other side, and Mr.. Keating's motion to
refer to a committee was carried.
Mr.. Magee appointed Mr.. Heating chair
man. Messrs. Ford, Holiday, Mcguire
and Magee formed the balance of the COM
mittee, the motion including Chairman
Magee as member.
The Lease of the Market House.
Among other business transacted by the
committee was an affirmative recommended
tion of the petition of the Eighteenth Regi-
ment and Battery B for the privilege of a
50-year lease of the Fifth avenue Market
House, an ordinance allowing the appoint
ment of an ordinance officer by the Mayor
and an ordinance providing for awarding
city contracts in itemized form.
The fact that the Finance Committee had !,
recommended the leasing of the Fifth Ave
nue. Market House to Battery B and the
Eighteenth Regiment was received with
more indignation than surprise in the Elev-
enth and adjoining wards. The fight to
maintain the building as market house will,
as stated in THE DISPATCH, be made in
Councils, and if necessary, before the
Mayor The lease now goes to Councils for
approval. 1t will probably come up at the
next meeting, and as that will be in the
heat of the Councilmanic campaign, the
citizens interested hope to get fair consid.
Grafton from their representatives
In speaking of the approval by the
Finance Committee, Mr.. Myers, who advo-
Gates getting an expression from the people
at the next election, said: 'It would only
be fair for Councils to do as suggest, and
postpone action on ithe ordinance before
them until after election. If it is then
found that the people do not want the mar
ket house opened, the lease could be made.
Unexpected the action taken by the Finance
Committee, because it is a mere machine.
a friend will be found in the Mavor. He
make an effort to have Councilmen elected
bob boy spfa in, ha |