St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-06-20
made on the basis of so per cent of the
aSt II m q fcr. aach damn n emf

this was certainty, the tax collections
would give trifie more, probably about
80 per cent of the total estimates. There
was, however, nothing sure above the
80 per cent. Mr.. Wheelock had scheme
which he thought might work. 1t was
to reduce salaries so as to come within
the 80 per cent, and then have an un-
derstanding that the balance would be
made up to the men at the end OF the
year. This did not seem to be feast
BILE plan, and the idea was not dis
cusSed.
Mr.. McCardy, to be practical, said he
would explain the condition of affairs
in the fire department. Last year out
of the $2l5,000 appropriated to the
department. the sum OF Sl95.000 had been
available, and. with this amount at their
command at the close of the year, the
department was S12, 900 over irawn. The
question was how would the tax collec-
tions this year be any more than last
year? 1t was not reasonable to expect
they would, and the best way to figure
this year was on the amounts available
last year.
After this statement, President Free
man, of the fire board, announced that
the board had been contemplating the
closing or taking out of service Of two
chemical engines. They had intended
to do this had the question of reducing
expenses not come up. but now that it was
necessary it would be done, and from
$1,000 to $1,000 saved. With this reduc-
tion, he was certain the board could get
along on the Sl95,000. Iu reply to a
question. MIR. Freeman said he hoped to
get along without discharging any or
the men now in the department. The
chemicals would, he said, be taken
from districts where they would not
interfere with the efficiency of the de-
partment in the least.
Beating About the Bush.
Mayor Wright said he was sorry that
the president Of the board of education
was not present, as he understood that
the board had made arrangements which
would make material reduction III
their expenses.
Mr. Wheelock suggested that the
comptroller furnish the committee with
an estimate as soon as the June settle
ment was made which would give the
possible amount which each of the de-
partmentS would be likely to .have for
the year.
Mr.. Cullen thought it would be advis-
able for each of the departments re-
ported as likely to overdraw their esti-
lldJCo W CUlilluC lIlclI tApclSGo W lllC
80 per cent OF their estimates.
Mr.. Wheelock thought there was 70
need to imagine that the city was going
into bankruptcy simply because the tax
collections OH June l were not up to
other years. On June the money mar
ket had been very tight, ana q large
number of property owners had not
been able to meet their taxes. He was
certain that the depression was only
temporary, and before the end of the
year the taxes would all be paid.
Mr.. McCardy said there was no use
in talking about how it was impo ssible
to retrench, or the city would not get
through the year.
Mayor Wright was of the opinlo that
in cases of great emergency money
might be taken from funds which are
not being used and applied to the de-
partments which were short. The
amount could be put back as soon as the
tax collections for the year were hand
ed in.
Comptroller McCardy said the charter
strictly forbids any such work.
Drop the Captains.
Mayor Wright said ho was in favor of
reducing the expenses, but when it was
going to injure the efficiency of any of
JuC uOPal IL WAC llOJ pOIlCy. IlO
thought a way by which the shortage in
the several departments could be met
was to have the council vote con-
tingent fund to the mayor, which could
be put back after the collections
were made. The only chance, the
mayor said, to retrench in the
police department was in the
matter of captains. The charter said
there should be four, but there was
really need for only one captain. This
one should be at the central station, and
the substations could be run by lieuten-
ants. This would save about 81, 200 a
year.
Comptroller McCardy said there
would be slight reduction in the ex-
penses of the police department after
July l. The superintendent of police
patrol telegraph had contract with
the city by which he was to ruu that
department and furnish assistants for
5000 per year. For some time there
had been two of the superintendent's
assistants OH the police pay roll at $40
each per month. He had notified the
official that after July l these men
would be dropped from the roll. as they
were simply put on by resolution of the
| council.
At this stage of the session a motion
was made and carried to adjourn until
| tomorrow afternoon at 4:30 O'clock.