Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-08-22
NAYS and MEANS
TO IMPROVE TIE FINANCIAL CONDITION OF
THE CITY,
Uu for Discussion Before the Finance
Committee Of Council, Last
Evening.

The Council Committee on Finance
met last evening to consider certain OF
the financial affairs Of the city, and TO
do what is possible to increase the re-
ceipts, on the one hand, and decrease
the expenditures on the other. The
members OF the Committee realize very
fully that the fiscal affairs Of the city
will require exceptionally good manage
ment during the ensuing year. and they
desire to do whatever Is possible TO
make both ends meet little better
than they have recently.
As was natural from the nature OF the
meeting, the discussion took very wlue
range, many and diverse views being ex-
pressed. The whole structure OF the
city govern ment was criticized ana COM
mented upon, and it was agreed that
with a general reorganization and con-
solidation Of departments, much money
might be saved to the taxpayers. One
Of the particulars 10 which money couio
be saved was pointed out in the Gas ana
Water Boards. At present there Is
Secretary of each OF these Boards
who draws 81, 400 or $500 a year. II
was suggested that If both these depart
ments were put under the supervision
OF the City Clerk, and the clerical force
retained intact, only the secretaries
being discharged, about 5000 could De
saved right there without detrlment TO
the service. Another subject for earn
est discussion was that OF reducing the
commission for collection OF city taxes
from per cent. to IL per cent 1t
was figured that with this reduction
the Collector would still have $4,000
year net, after paying
his deputies, which was not
esteemed such a very bad thing. One
or two OF the Committee, however,
thought it would not be fair" to re-
duce tie commission OF the Collector
without touching the salaries OF any
other officers. 1t would look ike SIM
Cling out one man from among many.
1t was also thought it was not right"
to reduce mans salary after his eiec'
ton, although it was done some years
ago, In the case of Fire Chief Cunning.
The subject Of increased revenues,
from licenses not now imposed, was dis
cussed for a long time, and the ordl-
nances and regulations OF quite num-
Der of cities were examined for informa-
ton. Among the new subjects for IL
censes dug out and listed were: MIX
wagons, book pedders, picture canvass
ers. bicycles, delivery wagons, barber
chairs, private electric light plants, dog
tags, to be worn by dogs, telegraph In
struments. bill posters, Insurance
agents, foreign insurance companies,
public halls, and numerous other Items.
Another topic discussed was the free
gas given a number of Hospitals, the
Y. M. C. A, and other institutions, and
il was the sentiment Of members that
they ought to be cut off, except purely
charitable institutions, like asylums.
Still another proposition was to lease
certain city property for 90 years. In
this connection it was recalled that
Mr.. Wood ward, before his death, had
given the city five acres Of ground, up
Caldwell's run, for public park.
Among the many topics discussed,
was a special tax on realty and personal
property, to cover the cost Of street
lighting, and this matter was referred
to the Solicitor for an opinion and his
construction Of the Act OF 81, relative
to the power Of the city TO lay such
tax, say OF sc on each 500.
The Committee remained in session
until nearly 10 o'clock, when they ad-
jourued until date in the near future.