The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-09-17
BONDS THEIR RESCUE
HOW THE CITY ADMINISTRATION
WILL EVADE RAISING TAX RATE.
Temporary Loans Which VIII BE Left
for the Succeeding Republican
Administration to Pay.

To make political capital just now seems
to be the sole aim of the Democratic city
administration. 1t is conceded by all who
consider the matter at all that this city
will give the Republican ticket the larg
est majority ever cast for ticket this fall
and just what to do to bring the Demo
Gratis back into line for the city election
year from now is the question with the adj
ministration. They see only way and
that is to make a great show of economy,
which, however will not be truthful
showing.
When the estimates for the different de-
partments for the money necessary to con-
duct the affairs of the city next year were
submitted it was found that they were al
most 1,000,0 900 and that in this there were
certain items which were considered neces
sary and which had not been mentioned on
account of the already high estimates.
Among these items was s25, 900 for the pur-
chase of a. new system of fire and police
telephones. This has been left out entirely
in the final ordinance that has been pre-
pared under the direction of Controller
Johnson. The sole effort has been to cut
down the estimates and appropriations so
the amount appropriated will come within
the amount of revenue expected under the
present tax levy, regardless of what is
necessary for maintaining the city govern
ment These appropriations, as provided in
the ordinance, will furnish enough money
to run the city until the next city election
without an increase in the tax levy and
then when the Republicans come into pow
er in the city they will find that the money
appropriated has been exhausted and no
revenue from which to make additional ap-
preparations to carry on the business of the
city. The only recourse will be the issue
a,,,
paid out of the revenue of the next year.
To pay these bonds an increase in the tax
levy will be necessary and then the Demo-
Gratis will claim that it is all the fault of
the Republicans. 1t is conceded on all sides
that the revenue derived from a levy of
SO cents is not sufficient to pay the neces-
sary expenses of the city government with
the addition Of the cost of street cleaning,
which the city now has to pay.
The following is a table showing the
amounts the different departments found
necessary for their work of the year, and
the amounts allowed after the controller
got through using his pruning knife:
Asked for Allowed
Department of Finance. $135, 2s6.9S $133, 056 SO
Department of Law. 11,99470 1884 20
Department of Public
Department of Public '''''-'''' @'''''''VV
Safety ................. 2s5, 242OO 27s.1O2 90
Department of Public
Health -. ............... As sol. 10 Al $50. IS
Department of Public
Parks .................. So, $4,000 35. 060.00
Totals =. ............. 1911, 995 43 1919, 230 43
This shows that the largest cut was made
In the estimate of the park commissioners
While parks are really a necessity for
modern city it was found that the city could
not cut much in other expenditures and so
the parks had to suffer. The Board of
Safety was cut $1,000 from the estimates
it made, after careful consideration and
the Board of Health was cut 81 600 But
even these cuts were made after the var
ious boards had consented to have certain
reductions made. The first estimates sub
mitted by the various boards called for
$1000.000 but they were reduced after
careful pairing by the boards and then they
underwent another pairing process by the
controller.