The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-03-18
a PROBABLE INCREASE.
Will Be Made In the Municipal Levy for
the Ensuing Year. b
WHAT IS WANTED BY THE DEPARTMENTS
Chief Ryan. WIEN S2O.UO0 More,
rncnt In tho South-Ihe street,
Sewer ANA Drain fsonrd VIII Not
Wnnt nm Ihcrcnsc.

Wnnt mn Incrcnsc.
The Finance Committee OF the Coun-
ellis is busily engaged in preparing the
| levy for the ensuing fiscal year, begin
| ming July LIST. embracing appropria tons
for the various departments OF the city
government Mr.. Hugh Davis, chair
man Of the committees. states that up to
date absolutely no estimate has been
formed and the committee has arrived at
no conclusions. Every effort will be
IN economical and reasonable bounds
anu no Increase over last years levy
will be granted. except where absolu &C.
~ necessary.
The total approximations for last year
amounted to SAP, $500. If the commit
tee finds that 1t can consistently meet
the requests OF several Of the depart
ments asking 70" an increase. the total
will be considerably increased, possibly
to over $4,000, though it would be I'M
fair ut the prcsen: to give any eSti-
mate whatever.
That the public may gather some idea
OF what the departments actually need
and have asked for, The Nirginian has
interviewed & number OF heads OF the
same. Some Of them refused to give
out any information whatever, saying il
WAS not proper, while others rcfr1incd
from quoting figures, but We're kind
enough to state facts The result was
as follows:
ASKS FOR $4,000
The fire department last year received
S30,420. Chief Ryan has asked for $50
600 Out Of this years levy. Explaining
the necessity for this increase Chief
Ryan states, and shows by statistics At
his command that all over the country
In towns and cities where there are paid
departments, the levy Is practically per
capita OF the population. For instance,
Augusta has population of $4,000, an
nial expenses Of fire department., $751;
045.75: Savannah. s., 900, annual expense.
$Gl.S72; Richmond 100000, annual OK
pense $92. GOO: Atlantic City, n. j., IS, 500
annual expense 2l.660; Hoboken. $4,000,
annual expense SG0.52S; Charleston. S. c.,
$4,000. annual expense 4G,741.61; Macon,
| GA, 90 600, annual expense SAC, 00O and so
on
Norfolk has 4 population OF over co.
600, and Chief Ryan says that the adtli-
tional appropriation is badly needed. II
1t Is granted the chief promises the city
the most efficient service in the South,
barring none. The first step, In this
event, will he the establishing of new
company for West End, move that
has been much discussed. and favorahly
AT least ten more fun paid men will be
required, and, Of course some appara-
tus, though not much Of the latter, as
1
CINE house.
| The department now has on hand
four steam fire engines, one chemical
engine. SIX chemical eXtinguishers, one
hook and ladder truck, one aerial truck,
four hose carriages, one chiefs wagon.
The total membership is 49, This equip
ment Is far below that Of the majority
of cities OF Norfolk's size III the South,
most Of which have much less to burn
than this city has.
1t is understood that the Fire Commit
tee has only asked for $4,000. an in
crease OF about $1,000.
MAY WANT s25, 900
III the event Of the city's; obtaining
possession Of Joyce's lake, the Councils
VIII be asked for an appropriation suti-
Client to obtain control Of same, and
also to erect the necessary pump house
and lay the required additional piping
This amount will hardly be less than
| $4,000. The general finances of the de-
partment are conducted separately from
those of the city.
The cemeteries have already obtained
an additional thousand upon their ap-
preparation. making $1,000 In all, which
amount, the Cemetery Committee
| proved to the satisfaction Of the Coun-
| ellis, was very badly needed.
HARDLY EXPECT 1T.
As for The police department the COM
iiltttce 'DeG1l asked lOf all 1DDrO-
pslation on the same basis rs last year
the amount for '9G-7 being $4,000 Al
the same time Mayor Mayo suggeste ,
ana urged, that ii 1t were possible, the
| committee should make allowance for
the employment OF twenty-five more po-
lice, the number required 10 render the
efficiency Of the department complete
Speaking Of this. the Mayor says, that
while he Is afraid the amount required
cannot be granted this year. yet it is
sorcly needed, and the sooner the de-
partmcnt can set Il The better If
granted it will bring the approximation
up to about 100000
| CAN PROBABLY PULL THROUGH.
Mr.. John L. Farant. chairman Of the
Councils Public Building Committee,
| speaking of the needs OF his department
| said: I'VE have no large work In pro-
gres!s that will render necessary much
OF an increase in our portion OF the
budget. AR. Anderson. my predecessor
| as chairman Of the committee, contem-
plated the painting OF the roof Of the
| new market building, but DO not know
| that the Finance Committee will grant
us the extra $1,000 for this purpose.
The greatest item Of expense we
have Is the cost Of keeping in repair the
city jail building. 1t is a constant
drain upon our resources. The appro-
ptlation seems to melt away, but guees
we can pull through"
| MAKE YOUR OWN ESTIMATE