The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-10
OWES HALF A MILLION
The Sum of Municipal De-
ficienCeS for Ten
Years.
THE LIMIT NOW REACHED
Views of John A. Russell, Clerk
Of the Board of Super
ViSOrS.

A change in the management of the
municipal affairs of San Francisco IS In
evitable. The limit of carrying forward
Indebtedness from one year to another
has been reached. The expedient has been
resorted to from year to year since 1850,
until the accumulated sum Of DEBT now
amounts to 100000.
John A. Russell, clerk OF the Board OF
Supervisors, when asked yesterday at MS
home in Alameda if there was not money
to the credit of various funds that woulu
not be called for before the end OF the press
ent fiscal year, and which could now Dc
used to supply the Almshouse, FIRE De-
partment and other institutions Win pro-
visions and material necessary lot thelR
support, replied: ANY statement that tn9
City is able to pay for these supplies 1ro1f
the revenue of this fiscal year IS aDsur9''
There is no money now in the treasuryk
and there Will be none to speak OF 1roIit
in the apportionment money to the creulV
of certain funds, but the money IS ON
paper. The fact should not be overlooked,
that the amount actually collected 1alIS
$50, 900 short of the estimates made When
the Supervisors provided for raising tt1S
money"
Was the Almshouse provided for among
other institutions?"
Eyes" replied Mr.. Russell, "an estimate
was made of the probable cost OF conduct-
ing that institution, but the expenses
have been greater than the board expected
Besides the Supervisors cannot regulate
| the expenses of the Almshouse as the
salaries are fixed by the Board OF Health.
| And other demands arise which the Super
yisors cannot check"
| the revenue of the next fiscal year is avail
| able by pledging the faith of the munich.
palityP"
mot that way. As the law is construed a
pledge of the City's faith will not avail
| ANYTHING The merchants may consent to
| lend supplies to the Fire Department and
other institutions with the understanding
| that the loan will be paid next fiscal year."
What should be done to prevent re-.
currence of this state of affairs2"
sit has always been my opinion" said
Mr.. Russell, chat the meaning of the conf
stitution relating to the discretionary power
| of the Board of Supervisors has not been
construed properly. To my mind the duty
of providing funds for these institutions IS
not discretionary. 1t is a duty which the
constitution enIolns when it provides for
municipal government. When a Super
visor neglects it he violates his oath OF
Office. 1t is not in his discretion to deter
mine whether he will create liability in
excess of the revenue. The Supreme
Court has decided with reference to salaries
|
has no discretion in the matter of provid-
ing for its payment. 1t must be paid il
there be any money in the municipal
| treasury. The same rules should apply TO
payment for support of public institutions,
"The Supervisors should simply say in
| effect: we have no discretion in the prem
ises. The constitution and the laws which
we are sworn TO obey require county and
municipal governments to be maintained,
These institutions are created by law.
They constitute part of the government.
We are bound by oath to maintain them.
Fuel for the Fire Department must be pro-
vided. Payment for fuel is as necessary to
the support of the government as the pay
ment of salary"
| Mr.. Russell reviewed at some length the
history of municipal debt and remarked
| that the present Indebtedness was the &C.
emulation of ten annual deficiencies,
First there was deficiency of $65, 600. The
| board that was called upon to meet it de-
cided to save money here and there to
liquidate it, and did make promises for it's
ever, the election expenses exceeded
the amount raised for that purpose
| by fully 100000. Other unexpected de-
mands 20 the amount of $4,000 more
came in, so here was $4,000, as well as
the old deficiency of $50, 900 to be met. Ii
year to year. The Supervisors provide so
much for the County Clerk, Tax Collector,
Assessor and Election Commissioners, and
the law provides that certain things must
be done, and the courts direct that the
money for doing these things must be paid
if there is any money in the treasury. Two
years ago the deficiency was $3.50, coo. To
bridge over the difficulty the June salaries
of the last fiscal year were paid from tho
July funds of this fiscal year.
'The last Legislature" continued Mr..
Russell, imposed additional obligations
on San Francisco. Laws were passed
which will increase municipal expenses
1000 during the next two years."