The record-union., 1898-06-19
Amount to be raised by tax. S:

QlHer60t departments, SO lndl dI lHe
end of the year 1899 there will be no
deficit, but a small balance to the
credit of each fund.
/ have also provided sufficient
amount in the Fire Department fund
to purchase and equip a chemical en-
gine and remodel the building.
The Street Department will have
ample funds to replace all old wood
cross walks with granite, wash the gut
ters and flush the sewers. and keep
the streets in apple pie" order.
The tax rate for 1900 will be much
less than for the year 1899, as the lol-
lowing reductions can then be made:
General fund can be reduced for year
Miscellaneous expenses ............... 1000
$50 900
Assuming that the amount necessary
| to be raised in 1900 will approximate
that Of 1899, it will amount to S201, ,S14.
| We are inclined to believe that the
assessed values will be increased owing
TO the greatly reduced tax rate but
should such not be the fact, the tax
rate for 1900 would not be over S1.3J,
and 1 have every reason to beliAve it
Will be less. Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM LAND, Mayor.
Mayor Land addressed the board and
explained some of the figures in the
estimate presented in his message. He
had. he said, added $25, 700 to the gem
eral fund, to meet emergencies which
may arise, as fer instance. the loss Of
a school building by fire. He had add
ed $1,000 over last year to the Fire De-
partment fund, for the purchase of a
chemical engine. The Police and School
Departments he had left unchanged
from last year. but had been liberal
in his estimate for the Street Depart
ment and added 1000 to be used in
flushing sewers and cleaning cutters.
! With the liberal allowances he had
made the tax roll for the coming year
would be reduced 100000, and he
hoped to have the tax levy cut down to
S1.30 per 500.
In respect to the bond proposition,
Mayor Land said he had done his level
best to see what could be done about
it. He had examined the Treasurer
books referring to the bonds and they
had seemed to be a ring puzzle. by
close application, however, he had
the old levee bonds be wiped out and
in 1903 the tax rate for the city would
not exceed 81 per 500. If that action
were taken. in 1903 the city could issue
S250. .000 worth of bonds for public inn
provements with tax rate of not over
$50.
He called attention to the fact that
new bend issue would Increase bus
Vi. dc nf
ployment. and while the tax roll would
go up, the tax levy would go up and
the city would be about as prosperous
as Los Angeles was year ago.
Mayor Land said large majority of
people in the city imagine the city is
buried under a load of debt and he
advised wiping out the Old bonds and
allowing the city to start on new
basis.
General L. Tozer was called on for
remarks, and asked the Mayor if il was
not true that many of the old bonds
had not been lost and accordingly
would never be presented for payment.
Mayor Land said that on the contrary
the bonds are very much in evidence,
and that only thirty-one bonds of the
series of 1898 remained to be presented
ne Stlu MS 1Gea issuing new DOnOS
was to have the Beard of Trustees is
sue them as they are needed and not
all in one lump.
General Tozer said that for some
time he had believed in refunding the
eity's debt He spoke of the suit
brought against the Bond Commits
sicners. which had been decided against
the city. II, he said, the attorneys en-
ployed in the case felt there was no use
in prosecuting ii further, then ne
would agree With the Mayor that it
should not be carried up to the Supreme
Court.
Mayor Land said that Judge A. P.
Catlin had told him there was not a
ghost of a chance for the city 70 win
the suit. and if ii did win il the cisy
would be gone. as reputation of its
debt would destroy confidence in ii.
General Tozer said the city officials
and the people had already declared
for reputation. and that it was still
desired. He said he agreed with the
Mayor on many propositions. bu. crit
icised his estimate for a S2J.Uw IN
crease in the general fund. Contin-
gences such as those mentioned by
the Mayor arise every year, and last
year there would have been no deficit
had not the city put In costly. sew