The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-07-10
TO REDUCE THE TAXES
Earnest Work Of the Mayor
and Finaneiers-Tinker
ing the Schools.

The Board of Finance met last night for
the purpose of considering IN application
from the Board of Education for S37, 900 for
the immediate repair of Public School
buildings and $1,000 for similar repairs next
SUMNER
Director Cowles was the only member of
the Board of Education present to explain
the necessity of the S37 700. He wa armed
with a batch of letters, one from the princi-
pal of each school, in which were set forth
the requirements of the buildings. The Pc
tition for $4,000 is based on the repairs
deemed necessary by the principals. Last
year S42, 900 was raised on temporary loan
bonds to make repairs during the summer
months. The year preceding $4,000 was
spent in the same way. Records OF the FL
nance Board show that for the four years
preceding that 500, 900 was appropriated, SO
that within six years no less than $165, 900
has been appropriated and presumably
spent on temporary patchwork upon school
buildings.
The Finance Commissioners cannot under
stand why, after the expenditure of such a
sum-, $37, 900 is required at this time. The
conference was a short one and Director
Cowles was told point blank that the money
would not be allowed 1t is said that $4,000
may be appropriated and there is a pos
sibiIity that even this figure may be reduced.
BOUND TO REDUCE.
The Finance Commissioners, it is said, are
in a sad plight. 1t has been whispered about
the City Hall for the past two weeks that
Mayor Wanser insists upon having such ap-
preparations made, as will insure a reduction,
no matter how small, in the tax rate. For
the fiscal year of 1929 81, 1924, 564. rs was
appropriated. The sum was so great that
the 3 per cent. limit was feared. Last year
a wholesome pruning process was inaugur-
ated and the appropriations were reduced to
81, Cos ,27S, 81, a reduction of $159, 2s6.51. All
the departments got along very well on it.
The Finance Commissioner nave reviewed
this years estimates and they say that it
will be an utter imposSibilitY to reduce the
appropriations of last year.
BULGE NoT EApY.
It was reported yesterday by some people
not familiar with the course to be pursued in
preparing the budget thatthe appropriations
would be made last night. To begin with,
the budget ann be prepared until it has
been aScertained what amount of money is
due the city from the State on account Of
railroad taxes and for State chool purposes.
Last year the railroad taxes amounted to
$225, 600 and State school, 1925, 942. SO. This
year there will of necessity be an increase
from railroads, inaslnuch as 81 500, 900 rata
bles were turned over to the State Board of
Taxation by the local board. The State
school taxes will also be larger, owing to an
increased census.
So far as can be learned the Finance Com
missioners base their hope for reduction in
the tax rate upon the efforts of Commits
sioner Mclean of the County Board for she
Equalization Of Taxes to compel other
cities, towns and townships in the county to
bear a fairer and more equitable share of
the State and county burdens. The budget
of appropriations will probably be an
nounced at a meeting OF the board to be
held July 10. IL was announced on July 81
last year. The tax rate will be struck
about September 5.