The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-01-07
IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

In executive session the members of
both branches of the City Council con-
sidered the appropriation bill. Chairman
Ryder of the Finance Committee discussed
with clearness the condition which con-
fronts the taxpayers of the city on the
financial question. The manner In which
he presented the facts In relation to the
finances of the city and the necessity of
taxation which shall maintain the credit
of the city in paying its dues and in main
tanning its public service, was too clear to
be refuted.
Councilman Ryder is well known as
man who has the courage of his opinions
and the ability to express them clearly
and forcibly, and his address last night
fully maintained his reputation in this
respect. He said:
The city of Pawtucket has obtained the
things for which it now must pay for.
We have not yet reached the statutory
debt limit but are very rapidly approach
ing that most undesirable point, and
should halt before we reach the brink of
the financial abyss that yawns before US.
To do this we must work on business
principles. The term business principles
is no misnomer but 1 regret to say that
business principles have not always been
applied in administering the financial
affairs of this city in the past.
One of two things must be done to
equalize matters. The revenue must be
increased or the expenditures reduced.
The committee on finance offer solution
that embodies both suggestions. The
amounts for the various departments as
shown in the appropriation have been re-
duced to the lowest possible point con-
sistent with obtaining good results from
the departments. Having reduced the ex
penditures to the minimum we still find a
deficit and we must go to the other side
for relief and this is obtained by increas-
ing the revenue. The revenue of the city
is derived from taxation. 1t can be in
creased by three methods. First, by rails
ing the valuation of all the real estate In
the city, second by increasing the tax rate,
third by making corporations that use the
public highways for street car, telegraph,
telephone or electric light purposes pay a
revenue.
Undoubtedly there is very large
amount of personal property in this city
which escapes taxation, and that il it
could be discovered and taxed would be of
material help, and let me say right here
that am of the opinion that the sum paid
to the assessors is not sufficient to enable
them to give as much time and attention
to their work as Is necessary to produce
the best results, and possibly the city
would be much benefited by having at
least one member of the Board of Assessors
give his entire time to the work and re-
ceive salary sufficient to enable him to
do so.
Chairman Ryder put it clearly when he
stated, In substance, that the city must
be repudiated, the departments of the city
government starved with inadequate ap-
propriations, or the taxes must be main
tained at high rate until the obligations
are honestly discharged. Our indebted
ness Is so great now that 1t requires nearly
half Of our revenue to pay our interest,
and sinking fund accounts in connection
with other fixed charges as State tax, etc.
This leaves us but very little money for
our running expenses.
II we continue to assess the taxes at a
80 rate and spend at a 900 rate, the
difference between these two sums is prac-
tically an addition to the mortgage which
the holders Of our bonds have, on all the
real estate in the city, and which is now
nearly fifteen per centum Of the valuation