The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-09-30
DOLLAR-LIMIT ECONOMY"

n dollar limit taxation to be written would
show that such limit and can be ra-
ona device for promoting what call good government
If the phrase good government means anything it means
that the city shall have cean wepaved weghted streets,
adequate fire and police protection improved parks, enough
schoohouses in which educate the children and sewer sys-
sufficient for present and prospective sanitary needs The
dollar limit has promoted that kind of government in
this city, On the contrary has always distinctly discour-
aged it.
Political pledges in general were originated during
the days Peoples party which ruled San Francisco
tnuousy 1886 1906 They began be applied to tax
alton about 1873 The first Boards of Supervisors pledged
the dollar limit finding that they could observe and
conduct the government deceny violated and retired to
private life One board along in the early '0os in order to
dscred it, kept pledges and created deficit of about half
million dollars. was not until 1883, however, that the
idea began be seriously considered In that year Board of
Supervisors took office which earnestly entered upon the work
of demonstrating that limit taxation, adopted by pol
cal convention year before the necessities of the city could be
known or understood, might be successfully enforced.
This board found the city very good condition 1t
looked the field and discovered that public property could
generally be neglected for year without much permanent
damage, and decided neglect 1t enforced Economy
everywhere and at the end first fiscal year exhibited
balance Sheet which showed that dollar tax the entire
assessment roll lad yielded surplus of about $4,000 This
WIS ali the siurians The surplus physical
limit taxation permanent feature of the government it
only necessary shut down the axeaes and make
them live on the money such limit would produce.
Out of the financial confusion incident to enforcing
pledge which calls for Economy without reference to the
public needs there have emerged the decisions of the Supreme
Court holding that the funds year cannot be expended
in paying the demands another and establishing the doctrine
that where expenditure fixed by act of the Legislature
in the of salaries and certain other regular municipal
decisions have thrown the burden Of doarmit economy
upon the Streets sewers schools and parks. The be
expended upon them is appropriated from year year
the theory that their wants will be provided for In other
words their demands are not fixed by law.
Years ago the surians must have perceived that the
dollar limit running the city, and yet without making the
slightest effort change the system by placing the power to
regulate all expenditures the Board of Supervisors they
have continued howl about dollar limits economy
the City Hail. The demagogues have seized the slogan
means of getting the Offices, and so the toughess people
have year year induced vote for diapdated
streets, foulsmeing sewers, suran and cheap School
Department and inadequate fire AMI police protection under
the mistaken notion that they saving some hing.
AS of fact the policy has them millions of
dollars Ten OF adequate appropriations will not suffice
repair the damage that has inflicted upon San Fran
cisco by letting its public works fall into decay. it be
that cities exist for the health and comfort of their nhab
tans and that every dollar honestly expended upon them
by the taxpayers is invested in paving enterprise
nothing that be accomplished hereafter in the way
of public improvements will make amends for the record of the
past fifteen years Money cannot purchase departed health
and comfort For the there but phosophc eec-
ton to be made that year of dolaimt economy is
before US, and that is this Many the people who have lived
under the surians dead. should change policy
year. they experience the delights of modern
and progressive government To that siuanism will
never be able TO repair the damage has done.