St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-10-09
CITY AFFAIRS SHOWN.
Comptroller McCardy Makes a
Statement to the Confer
ence Committee,
WITH SOME SUGGESTIONS.
Presents the Financial Status
of the Different Public
Departments.
HE COMPARES SALARIES.
Says the City Debt Is Steadily
Reducing, and Presents a
Table.
WITH SOME SUGGESTIONS.
HE COMPARES SALARIES.

City Comptroller McCardy submitted
to the conference committee at its
regular meeting yesterday some inter-
esting observations on city matters.
After the comptroller had finished read
ing those observations the committee
decided to receive and place them on
file. with the understanding that special
meetings should be held from time 10
time in order that the members of the
committee might discuss MIR. McCardy's
suggestions.
The committee adjourned for two
weeks. and will meet Monday evening.
Oct. %. at 7:30 D. H., for the first dis
cussion.
The following is a copy of Comptroller
McCardy's communication:
D. Willie every une is at this season Of
the year talking about, or Is very much
interested in. tax rates. tax estimates.
meeting of the legislature. etc.. few
observations OH some city matters may
perhaps be interesting, and are respect
fully submitted at this time for the in
formation of the taxpayers. and of this
conference committee also, as suggeS-
lions to those who may be called to act
for us at the coming session of the legiS-
lature. 1t is a curious fact in our city
affairs that in political meetings and in
private gatherings many citizens will
talk and advise fluently OH national
finances, and of defects aud remedies,
when they are woefully ignorant of the
time, details and charter history of a
city Tux estimate or city tax levy of a
million dollars or more taken annually
from their pockets.
To study and understand national
finances is considered an Intelligent
citizens duty, but to study and intelli-
gently understand our city or home
financial system-one of the best.
believe. found in American citjes-is the
exception among our citizens.
Water Board
During the period from Aug. 1, 1894,
to Aug. l, 1918. there will become due
water bonds as follows:
April 1. 1909. Observation-Disclosures. $500. 900
June l, l9l2.. .................. 35U.OUO
Aug. l, 1913. Observation-Disclosures. 10000
Total. 81 ZOO. 600
To meet the above we have in the
water board sinking fund today S24S.-
900. which, together with interest there
on at simple interest, per cent. and
with $4,000 annually placed in that
fund by the board, Will produce as fol-
lows:
Balance on hand today. S24S. COO
Four per cent simple interest,
nineteen years. :......... 1oS,4S0
Nineteen years deposit, $4,000
per year. Observation-Disclosures. ATS, 900
Four per cent simple interest,
average time, on same. 100000
Total. ............ Sl.O9l ,4SO
With the growth of the city and eX-
tensions of mains the number of coll
sumerS aud revenue will largely i'll
crease. This being the case, it will not
be necessary, as will be seen from the
above st tement, to place in the water
board sinking fund over $4,000
annually. Therefore it matters not to
US what price is charged in other cities
for water. We may well consider
whether our rates are not too high,
and whether or not the rate of 10 cents
per front foot frontage for an unlimited
time should not be reduced at least one
half and that assessed for only fixed
Hutn oei VI yediS. VI, pelHapo uclteI
policy, charge the laying for water
pipes against the adjacent properly
as a local assessment, the same as a
sidewalk or sewer assessment is
charged. Is not water pipe and
access to water as much purely local
benefit as a sidewalk or sewer? No
one can use or enjoy its benefit save the
adjacent owner.
The income of the board is more than
sufficient to pay running expenses and
lay uD money in its sinking fund be-
sides. There has been ST., 1000 placed in
that fund during tie present year.
Board of Control.
The system of outdoor relief by the
board of control at present is to give to
The applicant an order on some retail
establishes ent for supplies, which are
paid for monthly al retail prices. Should
the c0mmfssary system be adopted, the
supplies. consisting chiefly of flour,
pork, tea, beauS and soap, could be pur-
chased at wholesale, and by this means
fully % per cent mere relief given with
the same amount of money.
Lighting.
A few brief facts on the question of
lighting the streets and public build
ings: We have at present 3,10l gas,
and 1881 gasoline lamps. Our annual
expense for lighting is about s165, 900.
BY the terms OF what is called con-
tract between the gas company and the
city, we have the right to purchase the
gas works at stated periods. This oc-
ours the next time In about year hence
by giving the gas company six months
notice of intention to do so. VALUATION
to be fXed.)
In view of the very rapid development
of the uses of electricity, and the cheap
ness by which the city can own and
operate its own electrical plant, and
light all the streets ia the city and all
our public buildings at very much less