The San Francisco call., 1898-03-08
THE TREASURY DEFICIT.
forever.

N I NOTWITHSTANDING the assertion of Chair NJ man Rottanzi of the Finance Committee that the accounts of the city will balance at the end of the fiscal year. there is every to believe deficit in the general and school funds of $Iooooo more is certain It Is well known that the County Clerk will expend $43ooo than appropriated for his office It is equally well known that the Su- peror Courts will draw for expenses $3o,ooo more than was provided for them in the tax levy Here, then is shortage in the general fund of $73ooo for which no levy made. How Supervisor Rottanzi
 the face is mystery. It hardly be conended that shutting off the gas lamps and stopping work the streets and sewers will make up the amount.
 But there Is ample evidence that other appropria- tions included in the general fund will be found in adequate Already it is stated that the hospital ap propration is certain to short that sufficient has not been provided with which to maintain
 the police patrol system that the lorthand reporters of the criminal courts will usual, want more money, and that unless large numbers of tax-eaters immediately dismissed there will be small deficits in various other appropriations This is saying not- ing about the school fund There is also reason to believe that things going that fund will wind lip the fiscal year from $5oooo to $Iooooo short.
 Probably there will be little or no difficulty, how ever, in fixing responsibility for the deficit Mayor Phelan may wriggle some in an endeavor to shift it from his shoulders, but the fact must remain that he more than any other official at the City Hall, is directly to blame. When he engaged in his revolu- tionary attempt last year oust the elected Super vsors and place board of his own appointment in their places the tax levy part and parcel of his scheme. Although his levy not sustained by the Supreme Court, the declared valid was almost exact copy of it. The rate was about the same and the appropriations similar At that time the Mayor informed that whichever went into effect it would create deficit. This would nave been the had the board succeeded in establishing its title to office; for Mir. Phelan we'll knows, So per cent of the expenditures of the city fixed by law and cannot be reduced by making inadequate ap propriations to meet them.
 We have disposition to gloat over Mayor Phelans embarrassment but it is proper to remark at this time that had he needed the advice placed his disposal by The Call last summer he would not now again it has been proved that deficient levy will not enforce economy at the City Hall. Had the Mayor been actuated by sincere desire to promote the public veal he would have discovered last year that the only remedy for municipal extravaganza is the abolishment of offices and the discharge of eaters. So long the offices exist and are appointed money will have to be provided for them. As the most important regulator of municipal finance and the head of the government Mayor Phelan is responsible for the impending deficit. He may try to wrggle out of this situation, but 1t will 1 avail him nothing. The deficit could have been averted had he done his duty