The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-10-03
PREPARING FOR A VETO.
Mayor Davie Sends a Detailed
Statement to the
Council.
FAVORS SPECIAL REFORMS.
v0Rs SPECIAL REFORMS
He Shows How a Tax Levy of One
Dollar Can Meet All
Expenses.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRAScrsco CALI

OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL
906 Broadway, Oct. 2
A special meeting of the City Council
was held tonight to finally pass the ordi-
nance fixing the tax levy at 81 10.
The Mayor sent in communication,
which was read, and of which the follow
ing are the salient points:
Inasmuch as the various departments of our
municipal government have for the past four
years increased their expenses of maintenance,
without the slightest foundation for the in
crease, since the population has not increased
in proportion, and only with the sole idea
OF creating more positions, purchasing more
apparatus, etc, and still not making the de-
partments any more eflcfent than they were
in the past, it seem that q great saving could
be made by abolishing many positions that
seem at this time unnecessary.
Areasonable tax levy coupled with intelligent
legislation will be very important factor in
inducing men of business and enterprise to
permanently locate their business and their
homes in this City. levy in excess OF 81 is,
in my. opinion, uncalled for and unreasonable
at this time. Our people are yet struggling
with the results of a long season of business
depression and enforced idleness and will not
look with favor upon tax rate in excess Of 81
A high rate of taxes means a high rate of in
terest, a double hardship on account of the
fact that at least one-third of the owners OF
Oakland property have mortgages on their
holdings, an estimated total OF $40, 600, 900. A
cessation of improvements, another year OF
idleness for the laborins class, an increase in
rents and other conditions would ensue from q
high rate of taxation as proposed.
For the Fire Department So, 900 is q
sufficient appropriation for salaries and could
be materially reduced from that figure and
still have an efficient service. The $500 for
anew house and the $4,000 for an engine can
be reserved for the next fiscal year, and q
$1,000 appropriation for hose is sufficient.
While considering the affairs of this depart
ment l respectfully call your attention to the
fact that the department can be made more
efficient by improving the condition of the
city rather than the department. | maintain
that each improved block should have fire
hydrant, and that for the public benefit such
be given alternately by said blocks to the two
water companies.
The Fire Department is in position for fur
Their improvement by a thorough reorganiza-
ton of the various companies and only ap-
pointing men to the positions that will attend
the fires, and not furnish mere boys to act as
substitutes for them, by paying them at the
rate OF fifty cents for eacn alarm attended.
This practice is general among the extramen
OF the Fire Department, and taking into con-
sideration the fact that the city has q depart.
ment with muster of 1855 men it seems from
the above fact and others too numerous To
mention at this time that the department could
be run with less extramen.
The Free Library shows rapid growth In
the expenditure of public money.
This year the Board of Trustees asks for
1928 ,40S-more than three times its expense In
1899-90, and more than twice its expense three
years later
The people have already been taxed for the
support of the grammar and primary schools,