Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-11
CASH FOR THE CHIEFS.
Estimates for Next Years City De-
partment Appropriations.
KEEPING THEIR EXPENSES DOWN.
Slight Addition to the Public Safety Bud
get Needed for 1898.
NO INCREASE LIKELY IN THE MILLAGf

The chiefs Of the city departments are
preparing reports for the Mayor of the
work in their charge and estimates of ap-
propriations for 1893 Under the new city
charter the chiefs are required to report on
these matters on or before December 81
The Mayor examines them and in January
sends them to Councils with whatever
recommendation he may deem proper.
From statements made yesterday by the
chiefs they will ask for little more this
year than last Chief Brown thinks he
will require little more for the Public
Safety Department on account of the in
crease in the fire and police forces. In 1891
when the bill was passed authorizing the
purchase of new fire apparatus there was
provision in it for 30 additional fremen.
Within a month or two Councils have pro-
vided for 30 additional policemen and four
sanitary officers for the Health Bureau.
The extra fremen were put on duty last
month, and the police and sanitary officers
will be on duty the first of February, max
ing 1O4 men added to the payroll, and in
creasing the salary list by nearly $95, 900.
The Public Safety appropriation last year
was $500, 900.
Chief Brown VIII Economize.
In addition to this increased expense
Chief Brown must provide a new police
station and three new engine houses Their
cost has not been estimated, but architects
are figuring on it now. The new police
station is to be built in the Twenty-eighth
ward. One new engine house is to be
erected in the Thirtieth ward, one in the
Fifteenth ward and the one on Highland
avenue, Nineteenth ward, is to be REBUILT
In order to keep his appropriation down
the chief says he will reduce his operating
expenses as much as possible in other di-
rections and will not ask tor any new ap-
paratus. The improvements made in the
fire department down town will, he thinks,
make the purchase next year of fire boat
unnecessary. Yesterday he put into effect
a new order by which on every first alarm
in the downtown district four water engines
two chemical engines, two hook and ladder
trucks, patrol wagon and ten policemen
will respond. This will make 80 men In all
to go to work. If a second alarm is neces-
sary three more engines will respond, all Of
which are within a short running distance.
In few days another water engine will be
placed in the new house on Second avenue,
making five to respond on first alarm down.
town. When the new engines arrive the
two small ones in the Second avenue house
will go to the hill wards on the Southside
In the entire city there are now in service
10 water engines, hook and ladder trucks
and 2 chemical engines, with a complement
of 243 men.
Cost of the City's Growth. -
Chief Bigelow has made no figures yet.
His subordinates are making calculations
on what the bureaus will need next year and
will submit them in a few days He says
he does not expect to exceed last years
appropriations, except as the natural in
crease in development and population in
creases his expenses. He expects to ask
about the same amount for parks, $780,, ZOO,
as last year. His entire appropriation last
year was 81, ,085, 7O6 OF this only 81, ,0S5, ,206
were for department expenses. the balance
being for parks and improvements For
repaVing S359, 800 was provided, $780,
600 for assessments against the
city for street improvements, $35, 900 |
for the new southside market house and
S199, 900 for bridges In the latter item
there was the $100, 900 annually set aside
for a free bridge to the Southside, $65, 900
for the proposed Ben Venue bridge over the
Pennsvlvania Railroad, and the remainder
for small bridges which have been already
completed. The last appropriation also
provided $4,000 for . new reservoir site
which is yet unexpended. Several of these
items will not appear in the next appro-
priation.
One of the most important items of ex-
pense in the Public Works department
for the past year has been the laying
of water pipe. The development of rural
property and opening up of new residence
districts made necessary by the advance in
population has required the laying of many
thousands of feet of water pipes in the past
season. Mr.. BigeIow expects it to be
doubled next year, and will demand more
money for that purpose, but says at present
he can think of no other direction in which
a larger appropriation will be required.
Can Have All He Wants.
Chief Elliot is not yet prepared to say
whether an increase for the charities de-
partment will be necessary or not For
lnany years his modest demand was for
SS5, 1000, and he always got it, because under
the law it is mandatory for Councils to give
to charity whatever he demands Last
year he asked for $50, 600. Unless the tur.
nishment of the new Poor Farm buildings
will require more money than he has at his
disposal he will require little more if any
than for '92. Even if he does require an
appropriation for furniture it won't be
large one. he Will not De 8Dle 10 give |
accurate figures for some time.
Taking all the chiefs at their guess, the
tax rate will not need to be any larger, if as
large, as this year's-12 mills. On April 1,
$425, 800 of Water and Fire Department
bonds will mature, thus lessening the neces-
sary expenses for the year BY about $40, 900.
With the same taxable valuation Controller
Morrow thinks IL mills will yield more
than enough money next year to carry on
the government provided the Chiefs do not
aggregate over S100, 900 more than their last