The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-11-18
CITY OFFICIAL PAPER.
ADJUSTMENTS TODAY.
THIRD AVENUE THEATER-"Finne-
gans Ball.
SEATTLE, SATURDAY, NOV. IS.


- Low AAA LEV
The taxpayers Of Seattle will receive
with considerable satisfaction the news
that the tax levy In to be no more than
mills Tho increased expenses Incl
dent to the larger population and the
demands made upon the city treasury
by It's growth had prepared the people
for an increase in the levy. Property
valuation OF all kinds has gone up con-
siderably within the past two years, but
the appnaisement for taxation purposes
win not be made until next year. SO
that. az matter of fact. the levy Is
really lower than 1t was n year ago.
Had tho valuation been made this year
the advance over three years ago would
have been such that the rate would have
been less It amounts TO the same
thing, of course. but /; liz well that this
should be- clearly understood. because
the tax rate Is calculated as a general
thing upon q reasonable valuation, and
It can hardly be said that the valuation
made two years ago could be consfd>
cred reasonable this year. There are
very few owners of property In this
city who do not consider that it Is
worth from 10 To 20 per cent. more than
II was from two 10 three years ago.
That the levy has been kept down Is
due entirely to the excellent manage
1nent OF the city's affairs. 1t Is worth
particular notice that the estimates CT
expense are approved by no less than
three members OF the city council who
cause Of the busiuesslike interest taken
In their duty by the members IF The
council that the work of the city il SO
we'll conducted There is often very
serious difference OF opinion on mat
tiers or policy. but In considering prao
teal measures 1t is only fair 10 say
that politics has been allowed by the
present council to cut n very small
figure. II Is no less just ~ acknowledge
has had in bringing the csty's affairs
to business basis. There has never
been time when the whole municipal
system worked So Intellectually as now.
and there ara very few cities IN the
United States where the checking and
auditing are - thorough. Neverthe-
less. there IA certain wear and tear.
and "a proportionate Increase az expense
1t Ia nearly ten years since the fire
department. was established on as pres
ant footing. its nations built. and us
apparatus purchased. Since that time
LITTLE has been seant on repairs aud re-
newals. Two new engines have been
purchased. but most of the apparatus
IS showing the signs of wear ConSli-
erahle street work mast he done before
long. ana the quality ana quantity ot
street lights shopld - ia better KEEP
Ing with the growth - the city ana
the greater number 81 dwellings For
general improvements There Is inc.u5et
fl the estimates she sum of So. 90. and
for contingent expenses there Is wisely
allowed the sum * s4s.oaa The estg-
mates also inclade the sosu of Sc o30
for condemnation and purchase = land
in the neighhoTho,si % C'elar lake. aaa
he wifi be a bold man who mow ques~
tons the wisdom - THAI charge.
A novel Rat very commemorate tnno-
walton upon precedent = fonnd IA tha
levy - oae-ffth 90 mlli FOR library
purposes. Heretofore the library hAs
beea dependent upon q per cent. = the
revenue derived sresss licenses. Gr,ss ard
fees, Objection was made that such
an Institution should DEFEND 50 mach
mgon the yie'A afforded ~ vsce ana
crime. tus more practical oNiectlcr,
was ;ha, ahe revenue varied SO conss8-
crafty as - cripple IRE ecorts - TIE
governing beard e. make plans soy tAe
Issarss q the library. n yery