St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-06-28
Realized From Delinquent Taxes.

C6TIdlU, LlG QSDdEtul6Hb COulu uRuIc UI
so per cent of their estimate any year.
TO run the department on any such
basis as this, Mr.. Wheelock said, would
result in its being disbanded.
Mr.. McCardy said it appeared to him
that the flre department had been all
the time depending on the conference
committee to help them out of the hole.
A report had been asked for, but as yet
he had heard nothing of it. Mr..
Wheelock said the opinion of the city
attorney had been that the conference
had nothing to do with the expenditures
OF the fire department until it had eX-
ceeded its estimate.
At this Mr.. Freeman submitted re-
port showing how the department could
be run for the balance of the year so as
to keep within the SIC, 900 left them. At
this point Mr.. Phillips interrupted TO
say he thought from the amount left
that the department had exceeded their
estimate. but the mayor spoke up and
explained that they mad run little
ahead. but intended to keep the expense
down for the balance of the year. Again
Mr.. Freeman started in on his report
and explained that by dropping out
Chemicals Nos. 2. 3, 4, e and Z.
Hook and Ladder Company No.
z, and Engine Company No.
10, and making cut Of 10 per cent on
salaries, the salaries and bills for the
next six months could be met out OF the
$4,000 left. The mayor asked if this
would not destroy the efficiency of the
department., and Mr.. Freeman said it
could not be done without so doing.
The comptroller intimated that he
would like 10 read few figures at this
time, and was given the floor. Up TO
June 81, 1898, he said the fire depart
ment had been credited with Sl16,057,
and there was
Yet Due Them 100000
from the sale of certificates. and an esti-
mated amount from the collection of de-
linquent taxes, which would probably
be $4,000. This made total credit for
the department of Sl95,057.0l. The eX-
penSe has been up to date S114.271 So.
To this must be added the sum of $500
for running expenses for the balance Of
the year, and the result would be that
SIS, 2S5 46 would be left to pay salaries
for the six months remaining, including
June. The December pay roll, the
comptroller said, would gOOver into 1894,
owing to the December roll for 1892
being put in this years expenses
The pay rolls. Mr.. Freeman said, now
amounted to 1900 per month, and in
order to reduce so as to get inside the
limits, it would be necessary to do
away with the apparatus mentioned or
make cut of 20 per cent in salaries.
The mayor and Mr. Freeman both
agreed with Mr.. Wheeiock that auy
such cut in salaries would be q serious
detriment to the department. The taking
out of service Of any of the engines would
raise the insurance rates and this could
not be done. The mayor called atten
ton to the fact that the reason for the
expense in the fire department having
increased over those of last year was
due to extraordinary repairs and the
purchase of new hose anu horses. The
policemen and tiremen, he said, were
not over-paid, and it would be very
unwiSe thing to cut down the salaries.
The problem he was certain could
be solved by adopting his plan of
renewing the certificates when they
came due. Mr.. Wheelock thought it
had been clearly brought out that to cut
the salaries and reduce expenditures
that way it would be necessary to make
cut of about 80 per cent. This cut
would have to be made among the men,
poorly paid men, and might result i'll
their leaving the department. AS they
were all skilled firenen, aud also skilled
mechanics, this would
Impair the Efficiency
of the department even more than the
removal of the chemical engines would.
However deplorable it was to take out
OF service the chemical engines and
make a cut of 10 per cent in the sal
aries, this plan was more feasible than
to cut from 20 to so per cent in the
salaries and leave the apparatus as il
was. The mayor was of the opinion
that a cut OF 20 per cent would take
all the ambition out of the men and re-
suit in the efficiency of the department
being destroyed. The comptroller
questioned whether it would take cut
of 80 per cent to save the amount neces-
sary. Mr.. Freeman said it would. las
they were $4,000 behind. Both the
mayor and Mr.. Wheelock were opposed
to any change being made in the de-
partnent as it would surely result i'll
the insurance rates being raised. The
comptroller was of the opinion that it
would be better to have the
salaries spread over six months
rather than have them paid for
four and none for the other
two. Unless some reduction were made
the salaries for October and November
would not be paid, and this fact the
fire board knew as well as he did. Com
missioner Martin of the fire board in
quired as TO whether the commissioners
would be held personally responsible
for the salaries and bills incurred after
the amount available had been eXpeud-
ed. If the department were to be pinned
down TO the 81 per cent Of their esti-
mate, which would be Sl75.000, he wanted
to know it. He wanted to know where
the board stood, for il was not his inten-
ton to go out this year and raise the
salaries for month, as was done by the
board last year. The comptroller
quietly remarked that the board had
been notified last fall just where they
were at, and the amount which would
be available had been given them in
writing. The board as well as Others
would have to keep within the charter
requirements. Mr.. Wheelock thought
if all the city officials stuck to the char
Ter there would be very few who would
not
Be in Strait Jackets
inside of year. The mayor said he eX
pected if the engines We're taken out OF
Service. as was contemplated. it would
raise the insurance to a high figure
Commissioner Martin, who is in the IN
surance business, said the rate would
90 up, not in the districts where the
engines were taken out, but all over the
city. City Treasurer Miller, who
up to this time had maintained
dignified silence. informed the
committee that it would be impossible
for the insurance companies to raise the
rates OH policies now i'll force. The
mayor again Appealed to the comptroller
and inquired if either of his plans, ore
to pay the certificates out of the last 81
per cent of the taxes collected Or to re-
new the certificates when due, could 10
be worked. TIE comptroller shook his
head and the matter was then dropped
Mr.. Wheelock said it was very proper
that the fire board should be advised
by the board that the reduc
ton in their department should
have been commenced oh Jan
uary l, 1893, and not put off until the
lirsI half of the year had passed. The
comptroller requested that the heads O
all departments be notified not TO sent
in pay rolls until it was known whether
there was any money in the fund from
4 Il. - y, II.