Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-03-02
.COUNCLMEN KICKING
On the Proposed Millage, and There
I May Be a Slight Reduction.
THE TOTAL ESTIMATED REVENUE.
Importance Of Speed in Preparing the
Books 10 Receive Taxes.
EXPRESSIONS OF EVANS AND LAMBIB

The hCSnmittee on Appropriation or
dinance met yesterday and did some fgur-
ing on the taxable valuation report sub
mitted by the Beard of Assessors on Mon
day. Some astonishment was expressed at
the total by the committee, and there was a
proposition made to change the millage fig
ures from 13 mills, as originally intended,
to 12 or 125 mills. There are two reasons
why either of these figures may be recon-
mended to the Finance Committee, which is
to meet next Friday.
One reason is that it will expedite the
preparation of the assessment books. With
13-mill tax rate the computation of taxes
would require at least week longer than if
IL or 12Smills was the rate. The assessors
clerks in preparing the tax collection
books have simple system of obtaining
the assessment of each individual. To COM
pute the taxes of every property holder in
the city and make them up into complete
set of books is big undertaking, and sim
pliclty in the system of computation is very
desirable, but with the quickest system
known the assessors clerks find that it will
take nearly twice as much time to compute
with q 13-mill as with 12-mill rate.
The importance. of Speed.
AS there is necessit for getting the
collection books to the City Treasurer's
Office as quickly as possible, and as it will
require week or ten days for the assessors
to get the books 10 shape after the appro-
priation ordinance is passed, the importance
Of this apparently trifing circumstance
will be understood. The ordinance will not
be passed before next Monday, if then,
and the law provides that discounts can
only be allowed on taxes paid during the
month of March. 1t will be impossible
to have the books ready, even
with -l2-mill rate, before the
18th or 20th, thus leaving only 10 or IL
days for collection in March. Last year
there were only six days and there was a
great deal Of complaint from the tax
payers.
Another reason for the change of plans is
that even a 13-mill rate will not satisfy the
wishes of many of the Councilmen, because
it would yield as much money as the chiefs
of departments have asked for. THIS is
what many are opposed to. They think
that if Councils provide as much money
this year as they did last, they will cover
every necessity aud all the luxuries in the
way OF park Improvements and street re-
paving that the people can afford or desire.
With net tax valuation of $3.50, 600, 900,
which is quoted as being the latest esti-
mate Of the Board of Assessors, a 12-mill
rate would yield s., 900, 900. The estimated
receipts of last year were s., 764, 900 outside
of the city taxes, but this years will be in
creased to 81, 100000 at least, owing to the
increase in the revenue from liquor licenses
and their anticipated increased number.
Tho Total Estimated Revenue.
An increase will also certainly come from
the water rents as there has been large in
crease in the water service during the past
year. By making conservative allowances
for these two items the estimated receipts
should be 81, 1900 which, with the S3,-
600, 900 from taxes, would yield total
revenue of q, 1870, 900, only S246 600 less
than the estimated expenditures of the de-
can be shaved from the estimates without
crippling them in the least.
The decision of the Board of Assessors on
the question of classification is to be settled
to-day, and, of course, the net valuation de.
pends largely upon it. If they follow their
inclination. and shut out rural and agri-
cultural classification from all but two or
three wards, the valuation would reach
nearly $275, ,000. 900, but there seems to be a
legal impediment in the way Of such q
course.
An evidence of the feeling of Councilmen
on the tax rate proposed may be gained
from the statements made by DR.. C. Evans
and John S. Lambie, of the Select Branch,
Is follows:
DR.. Evans-If the Finance Committee re-
money for the department than was pro-
vided last year win oppose It to the last
extremity, no matter how low they may Il K
the millage. I thought last years appropri-
ations e1travagant, but would not oppose
the same amounts this year. for the reason
that the city has grown considerably and
ment Really they could get along with
Less Than Last Year. Appropriations.
Last year nearly $500. 900 was required and
set apart for purchasing park property, and
over s125, 900 more for park maintenance and
We don't need any more
land for parks now and there is no necessity
for such 8 large appropriate tion for that
department.. Then last year we set apart
10000 to cover expenses entailed by the
Supreme Courts decision, nullifying our
street laws and that is an item that don't
need to be provided this year. No, sir, there
Is no necessity for spen ding any more money
this year than last, and Councils should and,
Mr.. Lambie-I believe that Councils
should not allow a larger appropriation
than last year. I can't see that the in
creased taxable valuation cuts much of a
dgure in the matter, and the fact that the
millage can be cut down because OF the in |
crease should furnish no subterfuge for in. |
creasing the appropriations.
/ DON'T believe in trying to improve the |
parks all at once. That is work of years
ind our city should 90 slow in their inl-
provement the same as IN other cities. New
ork City has not finished improving her |
parks and will not for many years. Schen- |
ey Park is already beautiful |
place, and good enough as it is for |
.he recreation of the people. 1 |
believe Mr.. Bigelow expended his appropri- |
alton last year wisely and judiciously, and |
think he should have as much money this |
year as last, but no more. He made wonder |
'ul Improvements IN the parks with what |
money he had, and if he can do as much this |,
year it will be plenty. Parks are luxury,
ind the people are opposed to e1pending |
money on them too lavishly. have in |
,tructions from my constituents OH appro- !
priations and must obey them.
Coal Men Oppose a Bill.
Al special meeting of the Coal Ex- |