Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1895-01-19
THE MAYOR ADVISES.
Message of Mayor squires to the City
Council.
He Speaks Hopefully of the Gitys Future
Prosperity

Gentlemen of the council The con-
ditions confronting us on taking our OF
flee are such that it will be necessary for
YOU to become thoroughly conVersant
with the affairs OF the city; sc that you
will be able to reduce expenses an, taxes
to the lowest possible point consistent
with business prudence. The report OF
the treasurer shows an Indebtedness OF
S7l ,292, of which $780, 900 is Tor water
works bonds, 10000 genera! municipal
bonds, 81, $50 for building fund, less ST.
3O2 cash on hand. This building fund is
made UP by one-half of the receipts of
the rent for water. Until the indebted
ness againgt this fund is paid it may be
unwise to make any material reduction
in the water rates, but the list might be
revised to make it equitable on all who
use water. The general fund has out
standing $50, 500, OF which $4,000 can be
foated in bonds when a purchaser can
be found, and we should use all the
means in our power to push the sale OF
the balance of thse bonds. In order that
the interest may be reduced from per
cent. to per cent, which would be a
saving OF $500 per annum.
1t will require the strictest economy in
everything to enable the city to get out
of debt, but by contracting no new in
debtedness, it can be accomplished with
out too heavy burden on the tax pay
ers the debt is upon us, and it is our
duty to provide for its payment as soon
as possible without injury to property
owners. Several thousand dollars are
tied up in street grades, which should be
collected or got in some shape to be avail
able to pay on the warrants. | would
favor accepting warrants in payment OF
street grade assessments; this would en-
able property owners to borrow from the
| warrant owners the amount OF the tax.
The result would be the same to the city
and great relief to the property own
ers as this will enable them to borrow
warrants while they cannot borrow
money.
The tax levy for this year is mills
general fund, mills street fund, and
mills for interest on bonds. On an
assessed valuation OF $497 900 this ,so"od
give for the general fund 81 ,962, and
say, $500 saloon license, would make q
total OF 81, ,482 available to apply on gen
eral fund warrants, or about $1,000 over
and above the interest charged. The
salary fnnd is now short $lOS6, and the
salary charge for the coming year is $500,
not including engineers salary. The 3
mill street tax can be used for salaries
which will give a fund OF about $1,000
which will still leave the salary fund
short about $500 at the end Of the year.
The receipts from water rent last year
were $500, one-hali OF which goes to the
building fund, leaving about $500 avail
able for penses OF operating the plant
the fuel bill will amount to about 500,
repairs about 500, leaving about 500
for engineers salary. These figures may
be dlscouraglng at first sight, but we
must remember that we are looking at
themin the darkness Of financial distress.
But tins condition IS only a passing one,
the future is light and full of promise,
the fertility OF the soil, tn enterprise OF
| our people, the renewal of business
throughout the country, the full devel-
ODment OF the agricultural college, our
| climate, water, and host OF other adj
vantages must and will bring Pullman
not only up to the past but far in adj
vance thereof, and that this will come
IN five years is far more certain than it
was two years ago that the present con-
dltlon would come upon us. Eyen under
the present conditions in ten years the
floating debt can be paid in full, but |
am confident that a much shorter time
will be required. 1t is our duty and
| business to do what we can towards this
end, and strict economy and business
principle if applied to the solution OF
the power and ability to pay our debts,
will in munich al affairs as in individual
concerns accomplish our desires.
AS good deal has been said about the
books OF the city and investments made
think it is only matter oil Justice to
the old council, and duty we owe to
the people to make an investigation and
report the true facts as we find them.
| would, therefore, recommend that a
committee from the council be appointed
at an early date for this purpose.
Wishing that our deliberations will be
harmonious and that personal opinions
and prejudices be laid aside for the pub
lie good, and that each will do his duty
without fear or prejudice, l remain
| Yours,
JOHN SQUIREs,