The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-30
.CITY'S SHARE OF TAXES
SECOND INSTALLMENT OF THIS YEAR
TAKES A JUMP.
Controller johnson Thinks Publicity
Is the Thing in County and Town
ship Business.

E. NJ Johnson, city controller, is very well
satisfied with the condition of the city's
finances at the end of the year even though
there Will not be very large balance In
the treasury. At the last cabinet meeting
to be held by the mayors advisers for 1898,
this morning, Mr. Johnson will make
statement concerning the city's financial af-
fairs. Two days ago he received figures
from County Treasurer Schmidt. ex offieio
city treasurer indicating that the proceeds
Of the last installment of taxes amount to
$SO4'O2O63, the largest payment for the sec
ond installment in the history of the city
Last year the second installment amounted
to about 1921, 900. The first installment of
taxes this year was $351, 1851 To the credit
of the tlremens pension fund at present is
$5,11219. While the final warrants in pay
nent of claims against the city for this year
have not all been drawn and the amounts
due and payable and on hands in the treas
ury is not known, Mr.. Johnson was conf
dent yesterday that there would be bal
ance of from 5000 to $4,000 after all accrued
claims are paid. While this amount is
small, it is in no wise discouraging to the
citys chief financial official who goes n
the theory that only enough taxes should be
raised to pay the necessary expenses. with
out regard to having a large balance On
hand when the years business is ended.
Mr.. Johnsons theory is that expenditures
should be cut as low as consistent with bust
ness principles and the whole city's good in
public expenditures, whereby taxation may
be kept to the lowest possible basis.
While discussing this question with re-
porter, Mr.. Johnson got to the subject of re-
form in county and township government
prised that the township trustees had de-
cided to pass resolutions opposing the re-
form movement
1T seems to me- said Mr.. Johnson, that
one of the wisest things the Journal has
ever published was an editorial this morn
ing Thursday in favor of publicity in the
management of public affairs. If nothing
else is accomplished than means by which
the people may know what is going on-if
nothing more is done than to give the great
est publicity possible to the administrators
of the peoples business, in my estimation
very long steps will have been taken toward
accomplishing reforms that are needed
Mr.. Johnson was questioned in regard to
the matter of township finances and reports
that very frequently large balances of
money are held ever from year to year.
Mr.. Johnson said that he had been informed
not only that such practices prevailed, but
also that tax levies were made for the ex-
press purpose of raising funds that might
be accumulated. The inference is that such
funds are created by the trustees in order
that they may derive pecunary benefit by
loanng them out. This evil, as well as
others. Mr. Johnson seemed to believe,
would be corrected by laws that gave pub
iicity to administration. Mr.. Johnson did
lot appear to think the word publicity in
business could be too strongly emphasized.
The controller has had many years expert
ence in the management of public finances,
first in the auditors Office of the county for
eight years, and recently for three years in
the office of city controller.